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Watson Lake, YT
Yukon
Watson Lake is a small town in Yukon with a population of 1,133. Residents earn $78,500 per year, which is 4% above the national average.
Data updated June 2026
Discover Watson Lake, YT
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How Watson Lake Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
BHousing
A+Crime
C+Climate
Education
DCommunity
Is Watson Lake a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Watson Lake receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment. Watson Lake offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Watson Lake is $78,500, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. At 11.7%, unemployment is notably high. 12.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Watson Lake is $190,000, 33% below the national median / offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $795 per month, below the national average / a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Safety & Crime
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000, 79% above the national average.
Education
8.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 29.7% have completed high school.
Climate & Weather
Watson Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 27°F. Winters average -11°F in January while summers reach 58°F in July. With 306 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 16.7 inches, including 7.0 inches of snow.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Watson Lake vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Watson Lake vs U.S. Average
Income: Watson Lake vs U.S.
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $78,500 |
| 4% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $49,600 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $954 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 11.7% |
| 225% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% |
| 0% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 35 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 15.7 min |
| Drive Alone | 79.4% |
| Public Transit | 0.0% |
| Work from Home | 6.5% |
Walkability
Home Value Sources
Ownership Split
Home Values
| Census Median | $190,000 |
| 33% below US avg |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $795 |
| 32% below US avg | |
| Rent Burden | 11.1% |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 53.0% |
| Owner-Occupied | 53.0% |
| Renter-Occupied | 47.0% |
| Housing Units | 500 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: Watson Lake vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)
Violent Crime
Property Crime
| Total Property | 3,500.0/100K |
| 79% above US avg | |
| Burglary | 483.9/100K |
| Theft | 2,503.4/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 504.8/100K |
Traffic Safety
Safety Score
| Safety Grade | C+ |
| Safety Score | 2.5 / 5.0 |
Temperature
| Annual Average | 27.1°F |
| 50% below US avg | |
| January Average | -11°F (-24°C) |
| July Average | 58°F (14°C) |
| Sunny Days | 306 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,290 ft (698 m) |
| Area | 42.4 sq mi (109.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 27/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 60.0635°N, 128.7089°W |
| Timezone | America/Whitehorse |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Tuya Volcanic Field (130 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Tuya Volcanic Field | Volcanic field | 2,123 m (6,965 ft) | Unknown | 130 km |
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -11°F (-24°C) | 1.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 0°F (-18°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 15°F (-10°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 31°F (-0°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| May | 44°F (7°C) | 1.5 in | |
| June | 54°F (12°C) | 2.1 in | |
| July | 58°F (14°C) | 2.4 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 55°F (13°C) | 1.9 in | |
| September | 45°F (7°C) | 1.8 in | |
| October | 33°F (0°C) | 1.6 in | |
| November | 8°F (-13°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | -8°F (-22°C) | 1.2 in |
Watson Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 69°F / from -11°F in January to 58°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (2.4") and April the driest (0.6").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 8.8% |
| 74% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 29.7% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 2.8% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 27/sq mi |
| Total Area | 42.4 sq mi |
Services
Commute & Transportation
| Avg Commute | 15.7 min |
| Drive Alone | 79.4% |
| Public Transit | 0.0% |
| Work from Home | 6.5% |
Schools in Watson Lake
1 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
Radio Stations near Watson Lake
0 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality |
|---|
Libraries in Watson Lake
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watson Lake Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Watson Lake Library | 0.0 |
Hotels in Watson Lake
7 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Theatres in Watson Lake
1 theatres within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Bus Stations in Watson Lake
1 bus stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Watson Lake
8 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Banks in Watson Lake
1 banks within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Airports Near Watson Lake
1 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Watson Lake Airport | YQH | Medium Airport |
Post Offices in Watson Lake
1 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| Post Office |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Watson Lake
4 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Liard Evangelical Free Church | |
| St. Anne's Parish Catholic Church | |
| St. John the Baptist Anglican Church | |
| Watson Lake Community Gospel Church |
Explore Near Watson Lake
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Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Watson Lake
What is the population of Watson Lake?
Watson Lake has a population of 1,133 residents and is located in Yukon. The population density is 27 people per square mile, spread across 42.4 square miles. The median age of residents is 42.0 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 49.3% female and 50.7% male.
Is Watson Lake expensive to live in?
The median household income is $78,500, 4% above the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $190,000 (33% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $795 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.4x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.
Is Watson Lake safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Watson Lake receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Watson Lake?
Watson Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 27°F (-3°C). Winter temperatures average -11°F in January, while summers reach an average of 58°F in July. The area receives 306 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 16.7 inches, with 7.0 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Watson Lake?
The job market in Watson Lake faces challenges, with unemployment at 11.7% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $954. There are 35 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 16 minutes, and 6.5% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in Watson Lake?
The median home value in Watson Lake is $190,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $795. The homeownership rate is 53.0%.
How are the schools in Watson Lake?
8.8% of adults in Watson Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 29.7% have completed high school. 2.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.
What is transportation like in Watson Lake?
The average commute in Watson Lake is 16 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 79.4% of workers drive alone to work, and 6.5% work from home.
What are the demographics of Watson Lake?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Watson Lake is 93.8% White, 4.9% Asian. 89% of residents speak only English at home.