Watertown, South Dakota

Watertown is a city in and the county seat of Codington County, South Dakota, United States.[8] Watertown is home to the Redlin Art Center which houses many of the original art works produced by Terry Redlin, one of America's most popular wildlife artists. Watertown is located between Pelican Lake and Lake Kampeska, from which Redlin derived inspiration for his artwork.

Watertown, South Dakota
City
Intersection of Interstate 29 and Highway 212: The Redlin Art Center
Nickname(s): 
South Dakota's Rising Star
Location in Codington County and the state of South Dakota
Coordinates: 44°54′12″N 97°7′14″W
CountryUnited States
StateSouth Dakota
CountyCodington
Founded1879[1]
Incorporated1885[2]
Government
 • TypeMayor–council
 • BodyWatertown City Council
 • MayorSarah Caron[3]
Area
 • City26.09 sq mi (67.59 km2)
 • Land18.12 sq mi (46.93 km2)
 • Water7.98 sq mi (20.66 km2)
Elevation
1,732 ft (528 m)
Population
 • City21,482
 • Estimate 
(2019)[6]
22,174
 • Density1,223.80/sq mi (472.50/km2)
 • Metro
28,099 (US: 443th)
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP code
57201
Area code(s)605
FIPS code46-69300
GNIS feature ID1258841[7]
WebsiteWatertown

The population was 21,482 at the 2010 census. It is the fifth largest city in South Dakota. It is also the principal city of the Watertown Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Codington and Hamlin counties. Watertown also is home to the Bramble Park Zoo. Watertown's residential real estate is considered the most expensive in South Dakota for cities of its size; the median price for a home in Watertown is around $200,000.[9]

Geography

Watertown is located at 44°54′12″N 97°7′14″W (44.903433, -97.120437),[10] along the Big Sioux River.[11]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 25.04 square miles (64.85 km2), of which, 17.45 square miles (45.20 km2) is land and 7.59 square miles (19.66 km2) is water.[12] Watertown sits on the Big Sioux River and two major lakes, Pelican Lake and Lake Kampeska. Most of Watertown also sits upon a short plateau. Elevation at Watertown Regional Airport is 1,745 feet.

Watertown has been assigned the ZIP code 57201 and the FIPS place code 69300.

History
An 1883 bird's eye illustration of Watertown

Watertown was founded in 1879 as a rail terminus when the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad reactivated part of a line it had constructed to Lake Kampeska.[1][13] Despite the prominence of rivers and lakes in the area, the city was named after Watertown, New York, the hometown of brothers John E. Kemp and Oscar P. Kemp, two of the city's founders. The town's name was originally planned to be named Kampeska.[1]

During the 1880s, Watertown prospered as a transportation hub after the railroads had been extended farther west. Along with several other cities, Watertown had been a candidate as capital of the new state of South Dakota,[1] although it lost out to the more centrally located Pierre. The city's current newspaper, the Watertown Public Opinion, began publishing in 1887.[1]

In the mid-20th century, Interstate 29 was constructed through eastern South Dakota.[14] The route included a slight bend to bring the interstate closer to Watertown.[14] The interstate's construction has been a major economic benefit to the larger communities along its route, including Watertown.[14]

Climate

In the last decades the climate is configured as hot-summer humid continental climate (Köppen: Dfa), although it had a warm-summer previously (Dfb). Although it is a humid city it is relatively dry for its climatic category, due to its position in the Great Plains, which still provides an even greater thermal amplitude, especially in the higher values.[15]

Climate data for Watertown (Watertown Regional Airport), elevation: 533 m or 1,749 ft, 1893-2012 normals and extremes
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 65
(18)		 66
(19)		 82
(28)		 95
(35)		 106
(41)		 107
(42)		 110
(43)		 105
(41)		 104
(40)		 91
(33)		 77
(25)		 69
(21)		 110
(43)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 41.9
(5.5)		 46.3
(7.9)		 62.3
(16.8)		 78.6
(25.9)		 86.6
(30.3)		 91.8
(33.2)		 95.9
(35.5)		 94.6
(34.8)		 90.0
(32.2)		 79.7
(26.5)		 62.7
(17.1)		 46.3
(7.9)		 97.9
(36.6)
Average high °F (°C) 21.0
(−6.1)		 25.5
(−3.6)		 38.3
(3.5)		 55.3
(12.9)		 67.8
(19.9)		 77.1
(25.1)		 83.4
(28.6)		 81.6
(27.6)		 71.7
(22.1)		 58.6
(14.8)		 40.2
(4.6)		 26.1
(−3.3)		 53.9
(12.2)
Average low °F (°C) 0.6
(−17.4)		 4.8
(−15.1)		 18.2
(−7.7)		 31.8
(−0.1)		 43.4
(6.3)		 53.7
(12.1)		 58.6
(14.8)		 56.3
(13.5)		 46.6
(8.1)		 34.8
(1.6)		 20.4
(−6.4)		 7.3
(−13.7)		 31.4
(−0.3)
Mean minimum °F (°C) −23.1
(−30.6)		 −19.4
(−28.6)		 −5.9
(−21.1)		 14.9
(−9.5)		 27.2
(−2.7)		 39.3
(4.1)		 45.8
(7.7)		 42.4
(5.8)		 29.4
(−1.4)		 18.1
(−7.7)		 0.1
(−17.7)		 −16.0
(−26.7)		 −26.5
(−32.5)
Record low °F (°C) −40
(−40)		 −38
(−39)		 −27
(−33)		 −10
(−23)		 16
(−9)		 25
(−4)		 35
(2)		 32
(0)		 9
(−13)		 −2
(−19)		 −20
(−29)		 −37
(−38)		 −40
(−40)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.55
(14)		 0.59
(15)		 1.05
(27)		 2.09
(53)		 2.86
(73)		 3.69
(94)		 2.88
(73)		 2.28
(58)		 2.05
(52)		 1.54
(39)		 0.78
(20)		 0.51
(13)		 20.87
(531)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 5
(13)		 7
(18)		 6
(15)		 3
(7.6)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 2
(5.1)		 5
(13)		 7
(18)		 35
(89.7)
Average precipitation days 5.3 5.4 7.4 8.5 10.9 11.2 9.7 8.0 8.3 7.1 5.9 6.1 93.8
Average rainy days 1.9 1.8 4.6 8.4 12.0 11.1 10.1 8.7 9.1 7.6 3.4 1.7 80.4
Average snowy days 13.8 11.8 8.8 4.2 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.3 8.5 13.3 62.9
Source: WRCC,[16] pogodaiklimat.ru,[17] Weatherbase[18] and USclimatedata.com[19]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1880746—
18902,672258.2%
19003,35225.4%
19107,010109.1%
19209,40034.1%
193010,2148.7%
194010,6173.9%
195012,69919.6%
196014,07710.9%
197013,388−4.9%
198015,64916.9%
199017,59212.4%
200020,23715.0%
201021,4826.2%
Est. 201922,174[6]3.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[20]

The per capita income for the city was $18,994. About 5.7% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.[21]

2010 census

As of the census[5] of 2010, there were 21,482 people, 9,278 households, and 5,563 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,231.1 inhabitants per square mile (475.3/km2). There were 10,050 housing units at an average density of 575.9 per square mile (222.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.8% White, 0.4% African American, 2.4% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.

There were 9,278 households of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.0% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.90.

The median age in the city was 36.6 years. 24.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.9% were from 25 to 44; 25.2% were from 45 to 64; and 15.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.2% male and 50.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 20,237 people, 8,385 households, and 5,290 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,328.9 people per square mile (513.0/km²). There were 9,193 housing units at an average density of 603.7 per square mile (233.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.25% White, 0.14% African American, 1.65% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.71% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.28% of the population. 47.1% were of German, 19.8% Norwegian and 5.9% Irish ancestry. 96.5% spoke English, 1.7% Spanish and 1.1% German as their first language.

There were 8,385 households out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city, the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 11.3% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.

Education

Watertown has two institutions providing post-secondary education. Lake Area Technical Institute is a public technical school classified as a community college, offering degrees in areas such as Agriculture, Nursing, and Welding. There is also a satellite campus of Mount Marty College,[22] a private Catholic school based in Yankton, South Dakota.

Lake Area Technical Institute received the 2017 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, following three previous Finalist-With-Distinction honors in 2011, 2013, and 2015 (bi-annual competition/selection process). The Prize was awarded by the Aspen Institute in March 2017 in Washington, D.C. following an intense data collection process by Aspen officials that included a rigorous review of critical elements of student success including learning, completion, and employment after college.

Watertown has one public high school, Watertown High School, and one private boarding school, Great Plains Lutheran High School, of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.[23]

Watertown Middle School (7th and 8th grades) is the only public middle school in Watertown. Construction of the Middle School was completed in August 2015. The community's “Prairie Lakes Wellness Center”, opened in 2017, is adjacent to the Middle School. When the Middle School opened in 2015, the prior middle school was completely renovated and became the Intermediate School (5th and 6th grades).

There are multiple elementary schools in Watertown. The five public elementary schools include: Lincoln Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary, McKinnely Elementary, and Mellette Elementary. Immaculate Conception School is a private Catholic elementary school. St. Martin's Lutheran School is a private Lutheran elementary school of the WELS. Watertown Christian School is a private non-denominational Christian elementary school.

The Watertown Regional Library is the town's main library, located on 6th St. NE, and open every day of the week.

Harmony Hill High School was a catholic girls boarding school in Watertown from 1967 to 1974.

Points of interest
Sailboat on Lake Kampeska circa 1900.

Local media

Television
Channel
(Digital)		 Callsign Network Owner Web site
3.1KDLO-DT
(Satellite of KELO)		CBSNexstar Media Groupwww.keloland.com
3.2KDLO-DT
(Satellite of KELO)		MyNetworkTVNexstar Media Groupwww.keloland.com
7.1K32DK-D
(Translator of KTTW)		FoxIndependent Communicationswww.kttw.com
7.2K32DK-D
(Translator of KTTW)		This TVIndependent Communicationswww.kttw.com
46.1K42FI-D
(Translator of KDLT)		NBCRed River Broadcastingwww.kdlt.com
46.2K42FI-D
(Translator of KDLT)		Antenna TVRed River Broadcastingwww.kdlt.com

AM radio
AM radio stations
FrequencyCall signNameFormatOwnerCity
950 AMKWATFull-service radioAlpha MediaWatertown
1480 AMKSDRThe Talk of WatertownConservative talk radioAlpha MediaWatertown

FM radio
FM radio stations
FrequencyCall signNameFormatOwnerTarget city/marketCity of license
89.1 FMKPGTReligiousChurch Planters of AmericaWatertownWatertown
90.1 FMK211ECChristian
WJFM-FM translator		Jimmy Swaggart MinistriesWatertownWatertown
90.3 FMKJSDSouth Dakota Public BroadcastingNPRSouth Dakota Bureau of Information and TelecommunicationWatertownWatertown
91.9 FMK220ITKNWC-FMContemporary ChristianUniversity of Northwestern - St. PaulWatertownWatertown
92.9 FMKSDR-FMNew Country KS93Hot CountryAlpha MediaWatertownWatertown
96.1 FMKIXXThe Best Mix Kicks 96Hot ACAlpha MediaWatertownWatertown
96.9 FMKDLO-FM96.9 KDLO CountryClassic CountryAlpha MediaWatertownWatertown
99.1 FMKXLGSoft Adult Contemporary, News/TalkTMRG Broadcasting, LLCWatertownMilbank
103.5 FMK278BKChristian RadioVCY AmericaWatertownWatertown
104.3 FMKKSD104.3 KKSDClassic HitsAlpha MediaWatertownMilbank
106.3 FMKPHRPower 106.3Classic RockPrairie Winds BroadcastingWatertownOrtonville

Transportation
  • 20th Avenue South, 20th Avenue Southeast, and 29th Street Southeast-Alternate City Truck Route around the south side of Watertown.
  • 448th Avenue and North Lake Drive-Former South Dakota Highway 139; runs along the west side of Lake Kampeska.

Watertown also has one airport, Watertown Regional Airport, served by one commercial airline, and local bus service provided by the Watertown Area Transit Corporation.

Notable people

Notable visitors

Former President Barack Obama has visited the city twice, first in 2008 during his presidential campaign, and again on May 8, 2015, to address the graduating class of 2015 from Lake Area Technical Institute.

Major employers
Employer Sector Number of Employees As of Notes
Watertown School DistrictEducation910[24] 2016 November
Terex UtilitiesManufacturing567[25] 2017 May
Prairie Lakes Health SystemHealthcare547[24] 2016 November
Hy-VeeRetail485[24] 2016 NovemberMostly part-time
Premier BankcardLending380[24] 2016 November
City of WatertownGovernment336[24] 2016 November
Worthington IndustriesManufacturing320[24] 2016 November
WalmartRetail300 (approx.)2017 July
OEM Worldwide/SpartonManufacturing272[25] 2017 May
Jenkins Living CenterHealthcare270[25] 2017 May
Dakota BodiesManufacturing247[24] 2016 November
Dakota Sioux CasinoEntertainment215[24] 2016 November
Lake Area Technical InstituteEducation211[26] 2017 May
TargetRetail852017 July
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References
  1. Hasselstrom, p. 29.
  2. "SD Towns" (PDF). South Dakota State Historical Society. Retrieved 2010-02-17.
  3. Crisler, Dan (3 July 2017). "Caron sworn in as Watertown mayor; four City Council members also seated". Watertown Public Opinion. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  4. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  5. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-06-21.
  6. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  7. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  8. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  9. "South Dakota Homes For Sale By City". South Dakota Real Estate Trends. RealEstate.com. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  10. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  11. DeLorme (2001). South Dakota Atlas & Gazetteer. Yarmouth, Maine: DeLorme. ISBN 0-89933-330-3
  12. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-07-02. Retrieved 2012-06-21.
  13. Thompson (ed.), p. 173.
  14. Schell, p. 333.
  15. "Watertown, South Dakota Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Retrieved 2019-07-19.
  16. "WATERTOWN RGNL AP, SOUTH DAKOTA - Climate Summary". www.wrcc.dri.edu. Retrieved 2019-07-19.
  17. "Климат Уотертауна - Погода и климат". www.pogodaiklimat.ru. Retrieved 2019-07-19.
  18. "Watertown, South Dakota Travel Weather Averages (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Retrieved 2019-07-19.
  19. "Climate Watertown - South Dakota and Weather averages Watertown". www.usclimatedata.com. Retrieved 2019-07-19.
  20. United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  21. Watertown, South Dakota: Now. Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau, 2006
  22. "Watertown Campus". Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  23. "Great Plains Lutheran High School".
  24. Ebbers, Rochelle (2016). "2017 BUDGET". Watertown, SD. p. 10. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  25. "Top Employers". Watertown Works. 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  26. "LATI Staff". Retrieved 1 June 2017.

Bibliography
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