Watertown, SD Demographics

A map of Watertown's Population by Race

Watertown, South Dakota has an estimated population of 23,044, a slight increase from the 22,655 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 89.9% White, 2.9% Hispanic, 2.9% Multiracial, 2.8% Native American/Other, 0.8% Black, and 0.7% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Watertown, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Watertown has become slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than South Dakota overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Watertown, that probability was 18.0% in 2020 and 18.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Watertown is ranked the 5th most populous place in South Dakota, out of 485 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Watertown was ranked the 5th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Watertown's White Population

20,721 residents of Watertown, or 89.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Watertown is considerably higher than in South Dakota overall, where 79.8% of the population is White. Watertown ranks 231st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Watertown's White population has grown by an estimated 1.1%. White residents' share of Watertown's population has decreased from 90.4% to 89.9%.

Watertown is more White than neighboring Florence (89.3% White), Kranzburg (84% White), and Hayti (77% White). Watertown is less White than neighboring Waverly (100% White), and Castlewood (90.8% White).

Watertown's Black Population

190 residents of Watertown, or 0.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Watertown is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 2.1% of the population is Black. Watertown ranks 101st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Watertown's Black population has grown by an estimated 88.1%. Black residents' share of Watertown's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Watertown is more Black than neighboring Waverly (0% Black), Castlewood (0.6% Black), Florence (0% Black), Kranzburg (0% Black), and Hayti (0% Black).

Watertown's Asian Population

154 residents of Watertown, or 0.7% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Watertown is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 1.4% of the population is Asian. Watertown ranks 67th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Watertown's Asian population has declined by an estimated 14.9%. Asian residents' share of Watertown's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Watertown is more Asian than neighboring Waverly (0% Asian), Castlewood (0% Asian), Florence (0.6% Asian), Kranzburg (0% Asian), and Hayti (0% Asian).

Watertown's Hispanic Population

675 residents of Watertown, or 2.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Watertown is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 4.8% of the population is Hispanic. Watertown ranks 199th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Watertown's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 7.7%. Hispanic residents' share of Watertown's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.9%.

Watertown is more Hispanic than neighboring Waverly (0% Hispanic), Castlewood (0.5% Hispanic), and Florence (2.5% Hispanic). Watertown is less Hispanic than neighboring Kranzburg (16% Hispanic), and Hayti (23% Hispanic).

Watertown's Native American/Other Population

637 residents of Watertown, or 2.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Watertown is slightly lower than in South Dakota overall, where 7.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Watertown ranks 177th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Watertown's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 3.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Watertown's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.8%.

Watertown is more Native American/Other than neighboring Waverly (0% Native American/Other), Castlewood (1.2% Native American/Other), Kranzburg (0% Native American/Other), and Hayti (0% Native American/Other).

Watertown's Multiracial Population

667 residents of Watertown, or 2.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Watertown is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Watertown ranks 240th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Watertown's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 4.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Watertown's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.9%.

Watertown is more Multiracial than neighboring Waverly (0% Multiracial), Kranzburg (0% Multiracial), and Hayti (0% Multiracial). Watertown is less Multiracial than neighboring Castlewood (6.8% Multiracial), and Florence (4.7% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.