At a Glance
Median Income
$38,958
$27,331 per capita
Home Value
$66,500
Zillow: $205,184
Median Rent
$706/mo
25.6% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
8.8%
77.4% high school+
Unemployment
5.6%
9.3% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
40.8%
17.0% smoking rate
How Watson Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Watson's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Watson a Good Place to Live?
B
3.2 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Watson residents earn a median household income of $38,958 , which is 48% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $27,331. The unemployment rate stands at 5.6% (56% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 9.3% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 425 business establishments, including 26 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Watson is $66,500 , 76% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $205,184. Median rent is $706/month, with 25.6% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 98.6 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1946.
Education
8.8% of adults in Watson hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(74% below the national average).
77.4% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.9/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Watson has an average annual temperature of 44°F (6°C).
Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 29.4 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population189
Median Age44.7 yrs
Density1,050/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Foreign Born12.2%
Veterans9.9%
Economy
B
Median Income$38,958
Per Capita$27,331
Unemployment5.6%
Poverty9.3%
County GDP$774M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,018
Housing
A+
Home Value$66,500
Rent$706
Ownership71.1%
Zillow$205,184
Housing Units102
Rent Burden25.6%
Health
Obesity40.8%
Diabetes9.9%
Smoking17.0%
Heart Disease5.9%
Premature Death8,322/100K
Climate
Avg Temp44°F
Rain29.4 in/yr
Elevation1,030 ft
Education
D
Bachelor's+8.8%
High School+77.4%
Graduate+1.4%
School Score5.9/10
Community
2024 VoteR 66% / D 32%
Commute17 min
Broadband76.3%
Internet Speed85 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries4
Did You Know?
The median home in Watson was built in 1946.
18.3% work from home.
The nearest airport is Southwest Minnesota Regional Marshall/Ryan Field (39 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.427 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
19.6% of the population has a disability.
12.2% of residents are foreign-born.