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 equal to the South Dakota average
  • Cost of living in Watertown is 3% higher than the South Dakota average
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Watertown Reviews

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Outsiders Aren't Welcome User Rating 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 User Rating 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 User Rating 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 is South Dakota's Rising Star User Rating 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

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      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
      Rockys Park
      Sioux Park
      McKinley Park
      Riverside Park
      Diamond Ball Park

      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
      The Five Star Dive Bar
      Discount Liquors
      Dairy Queen
      McDonald's
      Taco John'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 1,966, which are equal to South Dakota
      Total Crime
      1,966 per 100k people

      14% lower than the US average

      Chance of being a victim
      1 in 51

      14% lower than the US average

      Year-over-year crime
      11%

      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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