Watertown, South Dakota

Watertown, South Dakota
City

Intersection of Interstate 29 and Highway 212: The Redlin Art Center
Nickname(s): South Dakota's Rising Star

Location in Codington County and the state of South Dakota
Coordinates: 44°54′12″N 97°7′14″W / 44.90333°N 97.12056°W / 44.90333; -97.12056Coordinates: 44°54′12″N 97°7′14″W / 44.90333°N 97.12056°W / 44.90333; -97.12056
Country United States
State South Dakota
County Codington
Founded 1879[1]
Incorporated 1885[2]
Government
 • Mayor Steve Thorson
Area[3]
 • City 25.04 sq mi (64.85 km2)
 • Land 17.45 sq mi (45.20 km2)
 • Water 7.59 sq mi (19.66 km2)
Elevation 1,732 ft (528 m)
Population (2010)[4]
 • City 21,482
 • Estimate (2013[5]) 21,995
 • Density 1,231.1/sq mi (475.3/km2)
 • Metro 27,606 (US: 447th)
Time zone CST (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code 57201
Area code(s) 605
FIPS code 46-69300
GNIS feature ID 1258841[6]
Website http://www.watertownsd.us/

Watertown is a city in and the county seat of Codington County, South Dakota, United States.[7] The population was 21,482 at the 2010 census. It is the fifth largest city in South Dakota. It is also the principal city of the Watertown Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Codington and Hamlin counties.

Watertown is home to the Redlin Art Center which houses many of the original art works produced by Terry Redlin, one of America's most popular wildlife artists. Watertown also is home to the Bramble Park Zoo and the Watertown Regional Library. The Watertown Public Opinion is a six-day daily newspaper published in Watertown.

Watertown's residential real estate is considered the most expensive in South Dakota for cities of its size; the median price for a home in Watertown is around $200,000.[8]

Geography

Watertown is located at 44°54′12″N 97°7′14″W / 44.90333°N 97.12056°W / 44.90333; -97.12056 (44.903433, -97.120437),[9] along the Big Sioux River.[10]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 25.04 square miles (64.85 km2), of which, 17.45 square miles (45.20 km2) is land and 7.59 square miles (19.66 km2) is water.[3] Watertown sits on the Big Sioux River and two major lakes, Lake Pelican and Lake Kampeska. Most of Watertown also sits upon a short plateau. Elevation at Watertown Regional Airport is 1,745 feet.

Watertown has been assigned the ZIP code 57201 and the FIPS place code 69300.

History

An 1883 bird's eye illustration of Watertown

Watertown was founded in 1879 as a rail terminus when the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad reactivated part of a line it had constructed to Lake Kampeska.[1][11] Despite the prominence of rivers and lakes in the area, the city was named after Watertown, New York, the hometown of brothers John E. Kemp and Oscar P. Kemp, two of the city's founders. The town's name was originally planned to be named Kampeska. [1]

During the 1880s, Watertown prospered as a transportation hub after the railroads had been extended further west. Along with several other cities, Watertown had been a candidate as capital of the new state of South Dakota,[1] although it lost out to the more centrally located Pierre. The city's current newspaper, the Watertown Public Opinion, began publishing in 1887.[1]

In the mid-20th century, Interstate 29 was constructed through eastern South Dakota.[12] The route included a slight bend to bring the interstate closer to Watertown.[12] The interstate's construction has been a major economic benefit to the larger communities along its route, including Watertown.[12]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1880746—
18902,672258.2%
19003,35225.4%
19107,010109.1%
19209,40034.1%
193010,2148.7%
194010,6173.9%
195012,69919.6%
196014,07710.9%
197013,388−4.9%
198015,64916.9%
199017,59212.4%
200020,23715.0%
201021,4826.2%
Est. 201422,057[13]2.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
2013 Estimate[15]

The per capita income for the city was $18,994. About 5.7% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.[16]

2010 census

As of the census[4] of 2010, there were 21,482 people, 9,278 households, and 5,563 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,231.1 inhabitants per square mile (475.3/km2). There were 10,050 housing units at an average density of 575.9 per square mile (222.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.8% White, 0.4% African American, 2.4% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.

There were 9,278 households of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.0% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.90.

The median age in the city was 36.6 years. 24.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.9% were from 25 to 44; 25.2% were from 45 to 64; and 15.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.2% male and 50.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 20,237 people, 8,385 households, and 5,290 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,328.9 people per square mile (513.0/km²). There were 9,193 housing units at an average density of 603.7 per square mile (233.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.25% White, 0.14% African American, 1.65% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.71% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.28% of the population. 47.1% were of German, 19.8% Norwegian and 5.9% Irish ancestry. 96.5% spoke English, 1.7% Spanish and 1.1% German as their first language.

There were 8,385 households out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 11.3% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.

Education

Watertown has two institutions providing post-secondary education. Lake Area Technical Institute is a public technical school classified as a community college, offering degrees in areas such as Agriculture, Nursing, and Welding. There is also a satellite campus of Mount Marty College,[17] a private Catholic school based in Yankton, South Dakota.

Watertown has one public high school, Watertown High School, and one private boarding school, Great Plains Lutheran High School. Watertown is considered one of the best cities for secondary education within the state and is considered above-average for post-secondary education within the state.

Watertown Middle School is the only public middle school in Watertown. The Watertown School Board voted to build a new middle school a few blocks north of the current middle school, and the new school was completed in August 2015. A new recreation center is also located next to the new school.

There are multiple elementary schools in Watertown. The five public elementary schools include: Lincoln Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary, McKinnely Elementary, and Mellette Elementary. Immaculate Conception School is a private Catholic elementary school. St. Martin's Lutheran School is a private Lutheran elementary school. Watertown Christian School is a private non-denominational Christian elementary school.

Points of interest

Sailboat on Lake Kampeska circa 1900.

Local media

AM radio

AM radio stations
FrequencyCall signNameFormatOwnerCity
950 AMKWATNews/TalkThree Eagles CommunicationsWatertown
1480 AMKSDR1480 Talk RadioNews/TalkThree Eagles CommunicationsWatertown

FM radio

FM radio stations
FrequencyCall signNameFormatOwnerTarget city/marketCity of license
89.1 FMKPGTReligiousChurch Planters of AmericaWatertownWatertown
90.1 FMK211ECChristian
WJFM-FM translator		Jimmy Swaggart MinistriesWatertownWatertown
91.9 FMK220ITThe RefugeContemporary ChristianRefuge Media GroupWatertownWatertown
92.9 FMKSDR-FMKS93CountryThree Eagles CommunicationsWatertownWatertown
96.1 FMKIXXKicks 96Hot ACThree Eagles CommunicationsWatertownWatertown
96.9 FMKDLO-FMBig Country 96.9CountryThree Eagles CommunicationsWatertownWatertown
99.1 FMKXLGClassic Hits/News/TalkDakota CommunicationsWatertownMilbank
104.3 FMKKSDHippie RadioClassic HitsThree Eagles CommunicationsWatertownMilbank
106.3 FMKPHRPower 106.3Classic RockArmada MediaWatertownOrtonville

Transportation

The City of Watertown is connected to three major thoroughfares: Highway 81, running north and south; Highway 212, running east and west; and Interstate 29, running north and south.

Watertown also has one airport, Watertown Regional Airport, and local bus service provided by the Watertown Area Transit Corporation.

Notable people

Kristi Noem

Notable visitors

President Barack Obama has visited the city twice, first in 2008 during his presidential campaign, and again on May 8th, 2015, to address the graduating class of 2015 from Lake Area Technical Institute.

Major employers

International Manufacturers with at least 50 Employees[18]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Hasselstrom, p. 29.
  2. ↑ "SD Towns" (PDF). South Dakota State Historical Society. Retrieved 2010-02-17.
  3. 1 2 "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-06-21.
  4. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-06-21.
  5. ↑ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 20143-07-07. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  6. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  7. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  8. ↑ "South Dakota Homes For Sale By City". South Dakota Real Estate Trends. RealEstate.com. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  9. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  10. ↑ DeLorme (2001). South Dakota Atlas & Gazetteer. Yarmouth, Maine: DeLorme. ISBN 0-89933-330-3
  11. ↑ Thompson (ed.), p. 173.
  12. 1 2 3 Schell, p. 333.
  13. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  14. ↑ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013". Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  16. ↑ Watertown, South Dakota: Now. Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau, 2006
  17. ↑ "Watertown Campus". Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  18. ↑ Watertown Chamber of Commerce. "Watertown Chamber of Commerce". Retrieved 2008-03-03.

Bibliography

External links

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