Why Watertown
Why Watertown Region?
It's A Great Place to Live!
Watertown, South Dakota offers the ideal balance of opportunity, access, and quality of life. From lakeside recreation and outdoor adventure to strong healthcare, education, and a welcoming community, Watertown is built for families and professionals alike. Anchored by regional healthcare at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, supported by respected educational institutions including the Watertown School District, Lake Area Technical College, and Mount Marty University, and strategically located along major transportation corridors, Watertown is a place where people can live well, work confidently, and plan for the future.
Life In Watertown
Things To Do
Healthcare
Business Thrives!
Education
Location & Transportation
Life In Watertown
Watertown delivers a quality of life that blends professional opportunity
with everyday enjoyment. A strong workforce, low taxes, and a low cost of doing business allow employers and employees alike to thrive. Local businesses flourish alongside familiar national brands, while locally owned restaurants and boutiques give the community its unique character.
Set between Lake Kampeska and Pelican Lake, Watertown offers exceptional outdoor recreation year-round. Residents enjoy hunting, fishing, water sports, and miles of open space, all while living in clean, quiet, and safe neighborhoods. Families are supported by one of the state’s top school districts and access to the largest privately owned hospital in South Dakota, providing trusted care close to home.
Things To Do
Watertown offers rich culture, history, and small-town charm with experiences you won’t find just anywhere. Together, these attractions create a vibrant cultural scene that makes Watertown not just a place to work—but a place people are proud to call home.
Visit Watertown SD
Welcome to Watertown, where art meets adventure and great tastes are always on the menu. This slice of prairie paradise is the perfect spot for a getaway as relaxing or wild as you want. No matter how you do Watertown, one thing is certain: you’re in for one huge surprise.
The Terry Redlin Art Center
The Terry Redlin Art Center showcases more than 150 original oil paintings by renowned Americana artist Terry Redlin, set within a beautifully preserved conservation park that draws visitors from across the country.
Bramble Park Zoo
Families and visitors alike love the Bramble Park Zoo, a welcoming hometown zoo where guests can get surprisingly close to animals while learning about wildlife in an engaging, hands-on environment.
The Goss Opera House
For the arts, the historic Goss Opera House delivers stunning art exhibits and world-class performances in a beautifully restored venue that rivals big-city theaters. History enthusiasts can also step back in time with a tour of the home of Arthur C. Mellette, South Dakota’s first governor.
Prairie Lakes Ice Arena
The Prairie Lakes Ice Arena is a year-round, refrigerated two-rink facility operated by the City of Watertown Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department. The arena supports figure skating, hockey, curling, public skating, and community events, and includes skate rental, concessions, locker rooms, a warm viewing area, two community meeting rooms, and free on-site parking is available.
The arena is home to the Watertown Shamrocks, a Tier II Junior Hockey team in the NAHL, and regularly hosts local and regional tournaments, camps, and performances. All ages and skill levels are welcome-whether learning to skate, returning to a favorite sport, or enjoying time at the rink with family and friends.
Prairie Lakes Wellness Center
Prairie Lakes Wellness Center is here to help you move more, feel better, and live well. Our mission—Providing Fitness for Life—guides everything we do. Whether you’re just getting started or have been active for years, we offer a welcoming space for people of all ages and fitness levels.
Our certified trainers, instructors, and staff are here to help you reach your goals—whether that means building strength, staying active as you age, learning to swim, or just finding time to take care of yourself.
Healthcare
Quality Healthcare Close to Home
Watertown offers a comprehensive healthcare system that provides residents and families with convenient access to quality medical services. At the heart of the community is Sanford Watertown Medical Center (formerly Prairie Lakes Hospital), providing emergency care, surgical services, maternity care, cancer treatment, and a wide range of specialized medical services. The community is also home to numerous medical clinics offering family medicine, pediatrics, preventive care, and specialty healthcare services. Beyond traditional medical care, Watertown features a strong network of dental practices providing general, cosmetic, pediatric, and restorative dentistry, along with optometry, chiropractic care, physical therapy, mental health services, and rehabilitation facilities. With modern medical technology, experienced healthcare professionals, and a commitment to compassionate care, Watertown offers the healthcare resources and peace of mind that make it an exceptional place to live, work, and raise a family.
HEALTHCARE DIRECTORY
Business Thrives!
Taxes That Actually Work for You
South Dakota is one of the most business-friendly tax environments in the country—and Watertown lets you take full advantage of it. With no corporate income tax, no personal income tax, no inventory tax, no personal property tax, and no inheritance tax, your business keeps more of what it earns. That means greater cash flow, easier growth, and a competitive edge from day one.
A Safe, Well-Protected Community
Watertown offers the peace of mind business owners and employees are looking for. The city is supported by professional, full-time police and fire departments, along with the Codington County Sheriff’s Office. Emergency services are modern, well-equipped, and highly responsive, creating a stable, secure environment where companies and families alike can confidently put down roots.
Codington County Sheriff: PH (605) 882-6280
Watertown Police Department: Ph (605) 882-6210
Strategic Transportation & Logistics
Location matters—and Watertown delivers. Positioned at the intersection of Interstate 29 and U.S. Highway 212, businesses enjoy efficient north-south and east-west access, with a direct route to the Minneapolis market. Whether you’re shipping products, commuting, or expanding your service area, Watertown keeps you connected.
Four Seasons. Endless Quality of Life
Watertown’s four distinct seasons offer more than just variety—they support a lifestyle people love. Summers are ideal for lake life and water sports, winters bring snowmobiling, ice fishing, and cross-country skiing, and fall showcases stunning color along with some of the nation’s best pheasant and waterfowl hunting. It’s a place where employees want to live, not just work.
Education
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Exceptional K-12 Schools
The Watertown School District serves nearly 4,000 students across a well-structured system of elementary schools, an intermediate school, a middle school, and a high school. Families relocating to Watertown quickly discover why these schools stand out—not just locally, but statewide. South Dakota leads the nation in computer and internet accessibility for students, and Watertown exemplifies that commitment with a 2:1 computer-to-student ratio and 1:1 laptop access at the high school level. Low dropout rates and strong standardized test performance make Watertown an ideal place to raise and educate future leaders.
McKinley Early Childhood / McKinley Elementary
Grades: PK–K
Address: 5 12th St SW, Watertown, SD
School Information
Garfield Education Center
Programs: Preschool
School Information
Jefferson Elementary
Grades: 1–4
Address: 1701 N Maple St, Watertown, SD
School Information
Lincoln Elementary
Grades: 1–4
Address: 1100 13th St NE, Watertown, SD
School Information
Mellette Elementary
Grades: 1–4
Address: 619 2nd St NW, Watertown, SD
School Information
Watertown Intermediate School
Grades: 5–6
Address: 601 11th St NE, Watertown, SD
School Information
Watertown Middle School
Grades: 7–8
Address: 1700 11th St NE, Watertown, SD
School Information
Watertown High School
Grades: 9–12
Address: 200 9th St NE, Watertown, SD
School Information
Private & Parochial Schools
Watertown offers additional educational choices through private and faith-based schools.
Ava Maria Catholic School
Grades: PK, K–6
School Information
Watertown Christian School
Great Plains Lutheran High School
Grades: 9–12
School Information
Higher Education & Career Training
Workforce-Ready Higher Education
Lake Area Technical College is a cornerstone of Watertown’s economic strength, producing graduates trained in cutting-edge manufacturing, technology, and computer-related fields. Businesses benefit directly from a steady pipeline of skilled, job-ready professionals who are prepared to contribute from day one.
Nationally recognized for excellence, Lake Area Technical College was awarded the 2017 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the highest honor in the nation for community colleges. This distinction reflects exceptional student outcomes, innovation, and continuous improvement—making Watertown especially attractive to employers seeking a highly capable workforce.
Expand College Access
Watertown also offers access to additional higher education opportunities through Mount Marty University and National American University. For those seeking a major research university experience, South Dakota State University, the state’s largest public university, is just 50 miles away in Brookings.
Northeast Technical High School
For over 40 years we have provided career and technical education services to students of the Glacial Lakes Region of South Dakota. We currently serve students from 7 area high schools in 13 career cluster areas.
Together, Watertown’s education system supports families, attracts talent, and fuels business growth—making it a smart move for those looking to invest in both quality of life and long-term success.
Location & Transportation
Strategic Midwest Advantage
Located in Northeast South Dakota, Watertown sits at a powerful crossroads of commerce. Positioned at the intersection of Interstate 29 and U.S. Highway 212, Watertown is approximately halfway between Omaha and Winnipeg and just 200 miles from Minneapolis. This central location places businesses within easy reach of major regional and international markets—without the congestion or costs of larger metros.
Built for Business & Logistics
Watertown’s transportation network gives companies a serious operational edge. Immediate access to major trucking corridors serving the Midwest and south-central Canada allows goods and services to move quickly and efficiently. Additional federal and state routes—including U.S. 81 and South Dakota Highway 20—support rural commerce, regional distribution, and seamless north–south and east–west connectivity.
For businesses that value speed, reliability, and cost-effective logistics, Watertown delivers a location that works as hard as you do.
Watertown Regional Airport provides commercial air service for residents, businesses, and visitors. The flights are Delta and United operated by SkyWest Airline. Short lines, efficient check-in, and a straightforward terminal layout help reduce wait times and simplify travel. Free short- and long-term parking is available on site.
ATY offers daily service through Minneapolis–St. Paul (MSP) and Denver (DEN) on Delta Connection and United Express, operated by SkyWest Airlines. These routes provide access to national destinations with a single connection.
New nonstop flights are available on United Experess to Denver (DEN), and on Delta Connection to Minneapolis-St.Paul (MSP), both operated by SkyWest Airlines. From there, connect to hundreds of destinations across the world.
VISIT WATERTOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT SITE
