Watson, MN

Minnesota

Watson is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 189. Residents earn $38,958 per year, which is 48% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
189 Population 1,050/sq mi density
$38,958 Median Income $27,331 per capita
$66,500 Home Value
$706 Median Rent 25.6% income on rent
46°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$38,958 median income, 3.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$66,500 home value, $706/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $38,958
48% lower than US avg
Home Value $66,500
76% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.8%
74% lower than US avg
Median Rent $706
39% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.8%
27% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.2%
11% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.3%
25% lower than US avg

How Watson Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population189
Median Age44.7 yrs
Density1,050/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 83%
Veterans9.9%

Economy

B
Median Income$38,958
Per Capita$27,331
Unemployment3.2%
Poverty9.3%
County GDP$774M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$66,500
Rent$706
OwnershipN/A
Rent Burden25.6%

Health

Obesity40.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.0%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F (8°C)
AQI36 (Good)
Rain27.4 in/yr
Elevation1,030 ft (314 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.8%
High School+77.4%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 32%
Commute17 min
Broadband97.0%
Libraries4

Is Watson a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Watson receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Watson offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Watson is $38,958, 48% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.2%, indicating a healthy job market. 9.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Watson is $66,500, 76% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $706 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

8.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 77.4% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Watson experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 27.4 inches, including 51.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Watson has a population of 189 with a density of 1,050 people per square mile. The median age is 44.7 years, 15% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (83.1%).

Population

189
Total Population
1,050
People / sq mi
44.7yrs
Median Age
15% above US avg
0.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.3%
Female 49.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Watson vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only86.3%
10% above US avg
Spanish13.7%
2% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Watson vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Watson is $38,958, which is 48% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Watson vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$38,958
48% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,331
Avg Weekly Wage$1,018
IRS Avg AGI$68,084

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.2%
11% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.3%
25% below US avg
Establishments (County)425
County GDP$774M

Business (County)

Restaurants26
Healthcare49
Retail45
Manufacturing23

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,463
1% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.21%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.0 min
Drive Alone74.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home18.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Watson is $66,500, 76% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $706 (39% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$66,500
76% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$706
39% below US avg
Rent Burden25.6%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$809
1 Bedroom$899
2 Bedrooms$1,125
3 Bedrooms$1,483
4 Bedrooms$1,698

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied71.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,463
1% below US avg
Effective Rate5.21%
In Watson, 40.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.0% report depression. 26.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Watson vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.8%
27% above US avg
Diabetes9.9%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure28.5%
Asthma10.8%
COPD6.1%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.3%
Physical Inactivity26.2%
Depression27.0%
Mental Distress18.4%
Physical Distress12.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Checkup Rate71.6%
Premature Death8,322/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access56.9%
Healthcare Facilities49
Watson has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 27.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average45.9°F
15% below US avg
January Average14°F (-10°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall27.4 inches
28% below US avg
Snowfall51.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,030 ft (314 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²)
Population Density1,050/sq mi
Coordinates45.0101°N, 95.7998°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS27023
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 8.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (74% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 34.1-point margin. 97.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.3%
D 32.2%

Winner: Republican by 34.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.8%
74% below US avg
High School+77.4%
School Test Score6.08
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density1,050/sq mi
Total Area0.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access97.0%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities49
Restaurants26
Retail Stores45

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.0 min
Drive Alone74.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home18.3%

Nearby Cities

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