Livability Score

78
/100
i The AreaVibes Livability Score evaluates 9 different categories and creates an overall score out of 100. The higher the score, the better the area.

amenities C

There are some amenities close to this location.
Coffee (3) F
Gather
Coffee Shop
Scooter's
Coffee Shop
Caribou Coffee
Coffee Shop
Entertainment (7) F
Mellete House
Museum
Thunder Road of Watertown
Attraction
Odyssey Grand 8
Cinema
Bramble Park Zoo
Zoo
Watertown Stadium
Stadium
Redlin Art Center
Art Gallery
Showmobile
Attraction
Food and Drink (18) D-
Watertown Brewing Company
Bar
Dempsey's Brewery Restaurant & Pub
Bar
Subway
Fast Food
Unknown Name
Alcohol
The Five Star Dive Bar
Bar
Discount Liquors
Alcohol
Dairy Queen
Fast Food
McDonald's
Fast Food
Taco John's
Fast Food
Taco Bell
Fast Food
Hardee's
Fast Food
Burger King
Fast Food
Arby's
Fast Food
Cowboy Liquor Store
Alcohol
SouthFork Lounge & Gentlemen's Club
Bar
Cloud Nine Bar & Casino
Bar
Concessions
Fast Food
Culver's
Fast Food
McDonald's
Fast Food
Fitness (2) F
Anytime Fitness
Gym
Snap Fitness
Gym
Groceries (2) F
County Fair
Grocery Store
Hy-Vee
Grocery Store
Parks (79) A+
Commercial Historic District Park
Park
Jenson Park
Park
Nelson Park
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Rockys Park
Park
Sioux Park
Park
McKinley Park
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Riverside Park
Park
Diamond Ball Park
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Unknown Name
Playground
Unknown Name
Playground
Splash Park
Playground
Unknown Name
Playground
Water Slides
Playground
McLaughlin Nature Area
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Belmont Park
Park
Hanten Park
Park
Bramble Park
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Highland Park
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Unknown Name
Playground
Shops (38) A+
Sunshine & Co.
Clothing
Casey's General Store
Convenience Store
Unknown Name
Convenience Store
Casey's General Store
Convenience Store
Unknown Name
Convenience Store
Sprint
Electronics
America's Matress
Furniture
Team Electronics
Electronics
Spruce Salon & Spa
Beauty
Little River City
Convenience Store
MAC'S
Home Improvement
Cowboy Country Store
Convenience Store
Nyberg's Ace Hardware
Home Improvement
Unknown Name
Convenience Store
Unknown Name
Convenience Store
Montgomery's
Furniture
Unknown Name
Convenience Store
Prairie Stop
Convenience Store
Verizon
Electronics
Sears
Department Store
JCPenney
Department Store
claire's
Fashion
Coteau Chic Boutique
Clothing
Watertown Mall
Mall
Herberger's
Department Store
See more Watertown amenity data

commute F

Of all people who commute, 0.1% take public transportation in Watertown.
Public Transit Stops (0)
Stops & Stations F
Workers Taking Public Transit
0.1% F
See more Watertown commute data

cost of living A+

The cost of living in Watertown is 91/100 - which is 3% higher than South Dakota.
Cost of Living
Goods & Services, Housing, etc. A
Tax Rates
Income & Sales Tax A+
See more Watertown cost of living data

crime B

Watertown crime rates are 1,778 per 100k, which is 16% lower than South Dakota
Property Crime
1,559 crimes per 100k B-
Violent Crime
219 crimes per 100k B+
See more Watertown crime data

employment C

The median income in Watertown is $52,145 - which is equal to South Dakota.
Med. Household Income
$52,145 F
Unemployment Rate
2.0% A+
See more Watertown employment data

health A+

There are some hospitals, police and fire stations.
Health & Safety (7)
Dentist, Doctor, Hospital, etc. D-
Walgreens
Pharmacy
Sanford Health Watertown Clinic & Breast Health Institute
Doctor
Prairie Lakes Hospital
Hospital
Prairie Lakes Cancer Center
Clinic
Northridge Clinic
Clinic
Unknown Name
Fire Station
Prairie Lakes
Clinic
Air Quality
Median Air Quality A+
See more Watertown health & safety data

housing A+

Watertown home prices are $175,600 - which is 20% higher than South Dakota
Home Price
$175,600 B-
Home Appreciation Rate
11% B+
Home Affordability
3.4x (home price to income ratio) B
See more Watertown housing data

schools B

The Watertown graduation rate is 88% - which is 2% higher than South Dakota
School Test Scores
59% D+
High School Grad. Rates
88% B
Elementary Schools (10) A
Immaculate Conception School
Roosevelt Elementary - 08
Mellette Elementary - 07
Garfield Education Center - 14
Mckinley Elementary - 06
Watertown Intermediate School - 13
St Martins Lutheran School
Watertown Christian School
Lincoln Elementary - 05
Jefferson Elementary - 09
High Schools (2) F
Watertown High School - 01
Great Plains Lutheran High School
See more Watertown education data

ratings C

Watertown has an overall rating of 64% from 8 reviews.
User Reviews (3)
From AreaVibes D+
User Surveys (5)
From AreaVibes A
See more Watertown user rating data
Amenities Commute Cost of Living Crime Employment Health & Safety Housing Schools User Ratings

Watertown, SD Area Guide

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Photo of Watertown, SD
( 8 Ratings )

Living in Watertown, SD

Ranks better than 78% of areas Follow

Watertown Area Facts

  • Watertown has a Livability Score of 78/100, which is considered exceptional
  • Watertown crime rates are 16% lower than the South Dakota average
  • Cost of living in Watertown is 3% higher than the South Dakota average

What do the locals think about Watertown?

Based on 5 votes from AreaVibes users. Take the poll
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Watertown Reviews

Write a review about Watertown Tell people what you like or don't like about Watertown…
Outsiders Aren't Welcome 2 rating By Anonymous ( May 07, 2022) A small farm town trying to market themselves as a lake community. Very cliquey. Unless you're a local, you will never fit in. Employment is a joke. The town is full of meth, white trash or the lake community; no in between. Watertown tries so hard to market themselves as th ...Read More is "niche" community, not far from the Minneapolis/St. Paul. Watertown is 94 miles north of Sioux Falls. Nearly 200 miles west, off US Hwy 212, from Minneapolis. And, 140 miles north is Fargo. It's an overinflated town with some nightlife, mainly old 80's hair bands at the former Shopko, now Studio 212. And, Dakota Sioux Casino. Apparently it's a great place for pheasant hunting. Absolutely no diversity. It's the type of place that still runs people out. We left, after 8 months. Read Less
Well kept, but unfriendly 2.5 rating By Anonymous ( Jul 23, 2019) Uncaring, stand-offish people compared to the south. The people have a great work ethic, and keep up their property well, for the most part, but they just don't care about other people outside of their personal zone. They'll talk to you, but don't expect any hospitality. The sum ...Read More mer weather is great. Lakes are green with algae, with lots of mosquitoes and mayflies. Read Less
Watertown is South Dakota's Rising Star 4 rating By Anonymous ( May 10, 2018) My family has been living in Watertown for the last 12 years and has enjoyed the small-town atmosphere that provides all of the amenities to enjoy as if you were in a larger urban area. Watertown has a great educational system that my kids love to learn and interact with a divers ...Read More e group of kids. Crime in Watertown is very low and it is a safe area to raise your kids without the fear of criminal activity.

Some of the places we love to go are the Bramble Park Zoo, Redfin Art Center, Watertown Stadium and the Dakota Sioux Casino. There are a lot of amenities to enjoy within this city that provides opportunities for you to enjoy not only great parks and other family-friendly amenities, but also provide opportunities for nightlife such as a casino. One of the best areas in Watertown is near Pelican Lake. Watertown is a great place to live and raise a family and I recommend it highly if you're looking to move to South Dakota. Read Less
Show All Reviews
Watertown is South Dakota's Rising Star 4 rating By Anonymous ( May 10, 2018) My family has been living in Watertown for the last 12 years and has enjoyed the small-town atmosphere that provides all of the amenities to enjoy as if you were in a larger urban area. Watertown has a great educational system that my kids love to learn and interact with a divers ...Read More e group of kids. Crime in Watertown is very low and it is a safe area to raise your kids without the fear of criminal activity.

Some of the places we love to go are the Bramble Park Zoo, Redfin Art Center, Watertown Stadium and the Dakota Sioux Casino. There are a lot of amenities to enjoy within this city that provides opportunities for you to enjoy not only great parks and other family-friendly amenities, but also provide opportunities for nightlife such as a casino. One of the best areas in Watertown is near Pelican Lake. Watertown is a great place to live and raise a family and I recommend it highly if you're looking to move to South Dakota. Read Less

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Watertown Awards

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Compare Watertown, SD Livability

      vs

      C Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Watertown? Yes, there are some amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Commercial Historic District Park
      Jenson Park
      Nelson Park
      Unknown Name
      Rockys Park
      Sioux Park
      McKinley Park
      Unknown Name

      Entertainment

      Mellete House
      Thunder Road of Watertown
      Odyssey Grand 8
      Bramble Park Zoo
      Watertown Stadium
      Redlin Art Center
      Showmobile

      Food & Drink

      Watertown Brewing Company
      Dempsey's Brewery Restaurant & Pub
      Subway
      Unknown Name
      The Five Star Dive Bar
      Discount Liquors
      Dairy Queen
      McDonald's

      F Commute

      Is public transit available in Watertown? Of all people who commute, 0.1% take public transportation in Watertown.
      Drive to Work
      86%

      10% higher than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      0%

      5% lower than the US average

      Walk to Work
      2%

      1% lower than the US average

      A+ Cost of Living

      What is the cost of living in Watertown? The cost of living in Watertown is 91/100 - which is 3% higher than South Dakota.
      Watertown
      91

      9% less expensive than average

      South Dakota
      89

      11% less expensive than average

      United States
      100

      National cost of living index

      B Crime

      What is the crime rate in Watertown? Watertown crime rates are 1,778, which are 16% lower than South Dakota
      Total Crime
      1,778 per 100k people

      23% lower than the US average

      Chance of being a victim
      1 in 57

      23% lower than the US average

      Year-over-year crime
      13%

      Year over year crime is up

      C Employment

      What is the median income in Watertown? The median income in Watertown is $52,145 which is equal to South Dakota.
      Median household income
      $52,1456% lower than the US average
      Income per capita
      $29,3462% lower than the US average
      Unemployment rate
      2%

      56% lower than the US average

      C+ Health & Safety

      Is Watertown a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are some hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      Prairie Lakes Hospital

      Pharmacies

      Walgreens

      Doctors

      Sanford Health Watertown Clinic & Breast Health Institute

      A+ Housing

      What are Watertown home prices? Watertown home prices are $175,600 - which is 20% higher than South Dakota
      Median home value
      $175,6005% lower than the US average
      Median rent price
      $76020% lower than the US average
      Home Ownership
      61%

      4% lower than the US average

      B Schools

      Does Watertown have good schools? The Watertown graduation rate is 88% - which is 2% higher than South Dakota
      High school grad. rates
      88%

      6% higher than the US average

      School test scores
      59%

      23% higher than the US average

      Student teacher ratio
      16:1

      2% lower than the US average

      C User Ratings

      Is Watertown a good place to live? Watertown has an overall rating of 64% from 8 reviews.
      Overall user rating
      64%

      8 total ratings

      User reviews rating
      57%

      3 total reviews

      User surveys rating
      80%

      5 total surveys

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