Watertown is a city in and the county seat of Codington County, South Dakota. It is also the principal city of the Watertown Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Codington and Hamlin counties. Gary Williams is the current Mayor. Watertown has one public high school, Watertown High School, and one private boarding school, Great Plains Lutheran High School.
The Bramble Park Zoo and Discovery Center, home of over 500 mammals, reptiles and birds, are open year round for your enjoyment.
The Mellette House, built in 1883 by Arthur C. Mellette, has been restored as a memorial to South Dakota's first governor.
Historic Uptown features many specialty retail shops and the Kampeska Heritage Museum. Unique community events include the annual "Arts Walk," citywide "Block Parties" and 4th of July parade.
Whether your interests lie in shopping the Watertown Mall or enjoying the outdoors along beautiful Lake Kampeska ... Watertown has something for everyone!
Each of the four seasons is celebrated with vibrant, natural color changes. Lifestyles and activities change with the colors. Cool off with a swim in the lake on a summer afternoon, hunt game in the crisp air of fall with leaves scrunching beneath your boots, cross-country ski in the fresh snows of winter and witness earth’s awakening to the sights and sounds of the spring thaw. Relaxation and enjoyment are yours when you visit the land of contrasts- no matter what the season!
Recognizing the rich heritage of settling the great plains, every effort has been taken to preserve and restore the bricks that laid the cornerstone of our history and the wood that became our walls of shelter and warmth. Historical homes and museums offer visitors an insight into our early history and interest in the preservation of nature.
Discover the diversity of the art and cultural opportunities that abound throughout the year. Hear the sounds of a Sousa march at an outdoor concert during the summer, watch characters come alive on stage by performances from our local theater group, listen to the perfect harmony of voices raised in song or gaze upon the works created by several local artist’s hands. Some events will make you laugh, some will bring a tear to your eye – all will touch your spirit. See our calendar of events for dates of events.
The tremendous variety of individual and spectator sports plus indoor and outdoor recreational opportunities make each day of your stay an experience of a lifetime. Sail into the sunset with the gentle push of an evening prairie breeze on beautiful Lake Kampeska or Lake Pelican . Jog along scenic, sun-dappled paths and rivers, bike with your best pal or tell tall tales around the glow of campfire.
Housing Cost
Estimated median house or condo value in 2007: $123,904
Mean prices in 2007: All housing units: $137,362; Detached houses: $147,368; Townhouses or other attached units: $163,628; In 2-unit structures: $151,915; In 3-to-4-unit structures: $161,912; In 5-or-more-unit structures: $84,286; Mobile homes: $30,637
Demographics
Population in July 2008: 20,488. Watertown covers 15.2 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 1,739 feet above sea level. Zip codes: 57201 - Area code: 605
Weather
Watertown, SD climate is mild during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 60's and extremely cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 10's.
The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 82.50 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of -0.10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature variations between night and day tend to be moderate during summer with a difference that can reach 24 degrees Fahrenheit, and moderate during winter with an average difference of 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
The annual average precipitation at Watertown is 21.94 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is June with an average rainfall of 4.01 Inches.
Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com
