All Countries
Watertown, SD
Full City Profile · South Dakota · Codington County County
3.2
/5.0
B
Good
22,859
Population
1,240/sq mi density
$62,721
Median Income
$37,225 per capita
$212,300
Home Value
$300,678 Zillow
$904
Median Rent
24.7% income on rent
43°F
Avg Temperature
276 sunny days/yr
301
Violent Crime/100K
1,651 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$62,721 median income, 1.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$212,300 home value, $904/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
301 violent crimes/100K
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Watertown has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 276 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 22.7 inches. The area receives 41.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.
Temperature
12°F Jan (-11°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 43.0°F |
| 20% below US avg | |
| January Average | 12°F (-11°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,751 ft (534 m) |
| Area | 25.0 sq mi (64.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,240/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.9092°N, 97.1557°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Codington County County |
| Nearest Airport | Watertown Regional (ATY) 0 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0398 ppm |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 9.6 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 61.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 26.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 74.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12°F (-11°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 29°F (-1°C) | 1.3 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 2.0 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 in | |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 in | Wettest |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 3.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 2.8 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 2.1 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 1.9 in | |
| November | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 16°F (-9°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
Watertown has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 12°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.9") and December the driest (0.4").