Median Income
$48,000
36% lower than US avg
Home Value
$29,200
90% lower than US avg
Violent Crime
319/100K
16% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+
9.6%
72% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate
42.2%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment
0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate
0.0%
100% lower than US avg
How Watson Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Population62
Median Age58.8 yrs
Density564/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 89%
Veterans52.0%
Economy
A
Median Income$48,000
Per Capita$23,076
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty0.0%
Commute18 min
Housing
A+
Home Value$29,200
Ownership93.8%
Zillow$158,555
Housing Units51
Rent Burden27.9%
Crime
F
Violent319/100K
Property876/100K
Health
Obesity42.2%
Smoking19.3%
Depression27.6%
Heart Disease6.3%
Climate
Avg Temp52°F (11°C)
AQI41 (Good)
Rain33.3 in/yr
Sunny Days276/yr
Elevation899 ft (274 m)
Education
D
Bachelor's+9.6%
High School+92.3%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.51
Community
2024 VoteR 77% / D 22%
Commute18 min
Broadband32.0%
EV Stations1
Is Watson a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Watson receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Watson has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Watson is $48,000, 36% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Watson is $29,200, 90% below the national median / offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 0.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Safety & Crime
Violent crime in Watson is below the national average at 319 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 876 per 100,000, 55% below the national average.
Education
9.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.
Climate & Weather
Watson experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. With 276 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 33.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.
Watson has a population of 62 with a density of 564 people per square mile, spread across 0.1 square miles. The median age is 58.8 years, 51% older than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 51.6% female and 48.4% male. The city is predominantly White (88.7%). English is the primary language spoken at home by 95.5% of residents. 52.0% of the population are veterans, above the national rate of 6.0%. 27.9% of residents have a disability (above the 13.0% national average). 61.8% have health insurance coverage.
Population
58.8yrs
Median Age
51% above US avg
Language Spoken at Home
English Only
95.5%
22% above US avg
Spanish
4.5%
66% below US avg
The median household income in Watson is $48,000, which is 36% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $23,076 (below the $39,052 national figure). The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, lower than the national rate of 12.4%. The cost of living index is 90.8, below the national baseline of 100 / offering relatively affordable living. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes (shorter than the 28-minute US average). 26.3% of workers work from home (above the 15.2% national rate).
Income
| Median HH Income | $48,000 |
| 36% below US avg |
| Per Capita Income | $23,076 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 0.0% |
| 100% below US avg |
| Poverty Rate | 0.0% |
| 100% below US avg |
Tax & Cost of Living
| |
| Cost of Living | 90.80 (100=avg) |
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 18.2 min |
| Drive Alone | 68.4% |
| Public Transit | 0.0% |
| Work from Home | 26.3% |
The median home value in Watson is $29,200, 90% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $158,555, higher than the Census estimate. Fair market rent ranges from $775 for a one-bedroom to $970 for a two-bedroom apartment. 93.8% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). There are 51 total housing units in the city. The median year a home was built is 1961. 27.9% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. The home price-to-income ratio is 0.6x, well within the affordable range.
Home Values
| Census Median | $29,200 |
| 90% below US avg |
| Zillow ZHVI | $158,555 |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
HUD Fair Market Rent
| Studio | $732 |
| 1 Bedroom | $775 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $970 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,265 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,457 |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 93.8% |
| Owner-Occupied | 93.8% |
| Renter-Occupied | 6.2% |
| Housing Units | 51 |
| Median Year Built | 1961 |
Property Tax
In Watson, 42.2% of adults are obese, above the national rate of 32.1%. 11.1% have diabetes. Heart disease affects 6.3% of residents. 35.0% have high blood pressure. 19.3% are current smokers (above the 14.0% national rate). 17.5% report binge drinking. 31.4% are physically inactive, above the national average. 27.6% report depression (above the 20.0% national average). 19.9% experience frequent mental distress.
Health Metrics: Watson vs U.S. Average (%)
Chronic Conditions
| Obesity | 42.2% |
| 31% above US avg |
| Diabetes | 11.1% |
| Heart Disease | 6.3% |
| High Blood Pressure | 35.0% |
| Asthma | 11.0% |
| COPD | 8.6% |
| Cancer | 7.6% |
| Stroke | 3.4% |
Behaviors & Mental Health
| Smoking | 19.3% |
| 38% above US avg |
| Binge Drinking | 17.5% |
| Physical Inactivity | 31.4% |
| Depression | 27.6% |
| Mental Distress | 19.9% |
| Physical Distress | 15.0% |
| Short Sleep | 39.8% |
Healthcare Access
| Insurance Rate | 61.8% |
| |
| Checkup Rate | 75.9% |
| Dental Visits | 52.9% |
Food & Exercise
Watson has a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, 16% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 876 per 100,000, 55% below the U.S. average. Overall, Watson receives a safety grade of F.
Crime Rates: Watson vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)
Violent Crime
| Total Violent | 318.7/100K |
| 16% below US avg |
| |
Property Crime
| Total Property | 876.5/100K |
| 55% below US avg |
Traffic Safety
| Traffic Accidents | 3 |
| Avg Accident Severity | 2.0 / 4.0 |
Safety Score
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
Watson experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 276 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 33.3 inches. The area receives 2.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 899 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-5°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 52.1°F |
| 4% below US avg |
| January Average | 24°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 899 ft (274 m) |
| Area | 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 564/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.4769°N, 95.6205°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| Nearest Airport | Eppley Airfield (OMA)
59 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall
33.3"
12% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jul)
4.45"
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Earthquake History
6 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest: M3.6. Most recent: M2.9 on Jan 6, 2014.
| Dec 17, 2009 |
2 km NW of Auburn, Nebraska |
M3.6 |
22 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 |
6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa |
M3.5 |
18 km |
| Mar 23, 2007 |
5 km N of Nortonville, Kansas |
M3.1 |
115 km |
| Feb 11, 1995 |
6 km E of Clearmont, Missouri |
M3.1 |
57 km |
| Jan 6, 2014 |
5 km NW of Liberty, Nebraska |
M2.9 |
87 km |
| Mar 31, 1993 |
2 km SE of Nemaha, Nebraska |
M2.9 |
17 km |
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)
Tornado History
639 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest: EF4. Total: 16 fatalities, 479 injuries.
| Date |
Rating |
Distance |
Fatalities |
| May 21, 2024 |
EF4 |
75 km |
5 |
| Apr 8, 1999 |
EF4 |
74 km |
0 |
| May 24, 1989 |
EF4 |
94 km |
0 |
| Mar 29, 1979 |
EF4 |
40 km |
0 |
| May 6, 1975 |
EF4 |
86 km |
3 |
| Jun 22, 1964 |
EF4 |
29 km |
0 |
| Apr 12, 1964 |
EF4 |
39 km |
1 |
| Apr 5, 1954 |
EF4 |
22 km |
0 |
| May 21, 2024 |
EF3 |
55 km |
0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 |
EF3 |
79 km |
0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 |
EF3 |
94 km |
1 |
| Apr 26, 2024 |
EF3 |
90 km |
0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 |
EF3 |
94 km |
0 |
| May 21, 2019 |
EF3 |
67 km |
0 |
| Jun 3, 2014 |
EF3 |
67 km |
0 |
| May 28, 2013 |
EF3 |
100 km |
0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 |
EF3 |
67 km |
0 |
| Jul 15, 1988 |
EF3 |
91 km |
0 |
| Jun 7, 1984 |
EF3 |
57 km |
0 |
| Aug 28, 1979 |
EF3 |
51 km |
2 |
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)
Wildfire History
7 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (4,195 ac, 2005).
| Year |
Name |
Acres |
Distance |
| 2005 |
UNNAMED |
4,195 |
93 km |
| 2020 |
MOSQR-FY20-RX-WUI |
964 |
51 km |
| 2016 |
SQR BM SL DESOTO 2016 WUI RX |
866 |
52 km |
| 1988 |
NORTH POOL |
698 |
51 km |
| 2020 |
UNNAMED |
645 |
52 km |
| 2009 |
UNIT 6 |
625 |
54 km |
| 2002 |
SCRDGRS 6 |
536 |
54 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)
Monthly Weather
| Month |
Avg Temperature |
Precipitation |
Summary |
| January |
24°F (-5°C) |
0.8 in |
Coldest, Driest |
| February |
30°F (-1°C) |
0.9 in |
|
| March |
41°F (5°C) |
2.2 in |
|
| April |
53°F (12°C) |
3.0 in |
|
| May |
64°F (18°C) |
4.3 in |
|
| June |
73°F (23°C) |
4.0 in |
|
| July |
77°F (25°C) |
4.5 in |
Warmest, Wettest |
| August |
75°F (24°C) |
4.0 in |
|
| September |
67°F (19°C) |
4.0 in |
|
| October |
55°F (13°C) |
2.6 in |
|
| November |
40°F (4°C) |
1.9 in |
|
| December |
28°F (-2°C) |
1.1 in |
|
Watson has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 24°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 33.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.5") and January the driest (0.8").
Average costs for common services in Watson. Prices are estimated based on regional cost of living data and may vary by provider.
Healthcare
| Doctor Visit (Primary Care) |
$227 ($136–$363) |
| Specialist Visit |
$318 ($182–$499) |
| Urgent Care Visit |
$182 ($91–$318) |
| Emergency Room Visit |
$1,998 ($726–$4,540) |
| Dental Cleaning |
$118 ($68–$182) |
| Dental Filling |
$227 ($136–$363) |
View all 40 services
Auto Repair
| Oil Change (Conventional) |
$41 ($23–$68) |
| Oil Change (Synthetic) |
$68 ($45–$109) |
| Brake Pad Replacement |
$272 ($136–$454) |
| Tire Rotation |
$36 ($18–$68) |
| New Tires (Set of 4) |
$545 ($363–$908) |
| Battery Replacement |
$182 ($91–$318) |
View all 18 services
Home Services
| Plumber (Per Hour) |
$91 ($54–$136) |
| Electrician (Per Hour) |
$82 ($45–$127) |
| HVAC Repair |
$363 ($136–$726) |
| HVAC System Install |
$6,356 ($3,632–$10,896) |
| Roof Repair |
$908 ($363–$1,816) |
| Roof Replacement |
$8,172 ($4,994–$13,620) |
View all 25 services
Legal
| Divorce (Uncontested) |
$1,362 ($454–$3,178) |
| Divorce (Contested) |
$13,620 ($4,540–$27,240) |
| DUI Defense |
$4,540 ($1,816–$9,080) |
| Bankruptcy (Chapter 7) |
$1,362 ($726–$2,724) |
| Will Preparation |
$454 ($182–$908) |
| Trust Preparation |
$2,270 ($908–$4,540) |
View all 12 services
Personal Care
| Men's Haircut |
$23 ($14–$41) |
| Women's Haircut |
$50 ($27–$91) |
| Hair Coloring (Full) |
$136 ($68–$227) |
| Manicure |
$23 ($14–$41) |
| Pedicure |
$36 ($23–$59) |
| Massage (1 Hour) |
$73 ($45–$118) |
View all 12 services
Food & Grocery
| Gallon of Milk (per gallon) |
$3.72 ($2.72–$4.99) |
| Dozen Eggs (per dozen) |
$3.18 ($2.27–$4.54) |
| Loaf of Bread |
$3.45 ($2.27–$4.99) |
| Chicken Breast (per lb) |
$4.09 ($2.72–$5.90) |
| Ground Beef (per lb) |
$4.99 ($3.63–$6.81) |
| Rice (per lb) |
$0.91 ($0.54–$1.63) |
View all 20 services
Utilities
| Electricity (Monthly) |
$127 ($73–$227) |
| Natural Gas (Monthly) |
$64 ($27–$136) |
| Water/Sewer (Monthly) |
$64 ($36–$109) |
| Internet (Monthly) |
$64 ($36–$91) |
| Cell Phone Plan (Monthly) |
$59 ($27–$91) |
| Cable TV (Monthly) |
$77 ($45–$136) |
View all 8 services
Transportation
| Monthly Parking (Downtown) |
$182 ($68–$454) |
| Car Insurance (Annual) |
$1,816 ($1,090–$3,178) |
| Bus Pass (Monthly) |
$64 ($27–$118) |
| Taxi/Uber (5-Mile Ride) |
$14 ($7.26–$23) |
| Car Registration (Annual) |
$91 ($27–$227) |
| Driver's License Renewal |
$27 ($14–$68) |
View all 8 services
Education & Childcare
| Daycare (Infant, Monthly) |
$1,090 ($545–$2,270) |
| Daycare (Toddler, Monthly) |
$908 ($454–$1,816) |
| After-School Care (Monthly) |
$363 ($182–$636) |
| Tutoring (Per Hour) |
$45 ($23–$91) |
| SAT/ACT Prep Course |
$908 ($363–$2,270) |
| Private School (K-12, Annual) |
$11,350 ($4,540–$27,240) |
View all 8 services
Pets
| Vet Visit (Routine Checkup) |
$54 ($27–$91) |
| Dog Vaccination (Annual) |
$91 ($45–$182) |
| Dog Grooming |
$54 ($27–$91) |
| Pet Boarding (Per Night) |
$36 ($18–$68) |
| Dog Spay/Neuter |
$272 ($136–$454) |
| Cat Spay/Neuter |
$182 ($91–$363) |
View all 9 services
Frequently Asked Questions About Watson
What is the population of Watson?
Watson has a population of 62 residents and is located in Missouri. The population density is 564 people per square mile, spread across 0.1 square miles. The median age of residents is 58.8 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 51.6% female and 48.4% male.
Is Watson expensive to live in?
Watson is more affordable than the national average, with a cost of living index of 90.8 / below the baseline of 100. The median household income is $48,000, 36% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $29,200 (90% below the U.S. median). The home price-to-income ratio is 0.6x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.
Is Watson safe?
Watson is safer than the national average, with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 compared to the U.S. rate of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 876 per 100,000 (below the national average). Overall, Watson receives a safety grade of F based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Watson?
Watson has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winter temperatures average 24°F in January, while summers reach an average of 77°F in July. The area receives 276 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 33.3 inches, with 2.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 41.
How is the job market in Watson?
The job market in Watson is very strong, with unemployment at just 0.0% / well below the national rate of 3.6%. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and 26.3% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in Watson?
The median home value in Watson is $29,200. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $158,555. The homeownership rate is 93.8%.
How are the schools in Watson?
Schools in Watson score 5.5 out of 10 on standardized testing, near the national average. 9.6% of adults in Watson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.3% have completed high school. 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.
How healthy is Watson?
The obesity rate in Watson is 42.2% (above the national rate of 32.1%). 19.3% of adults are smokers. 31.4% are physically inactive. 27.6% of residents report depression.
What is transportation like in Watson?
The average commute in Watson is 18 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 68.4% of workers drive alone to work, and 26.3% work from home.
What are the demographics of Watson?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Watson is 88.7% White. 95.5% of residents speak only English at home, while 4.5% speak Spanish. 52.0% of the population are military veterans. 27.9% of residents have a disability. 61.8% have health insurance coverage.
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