Watertown: Economy & Jobs
Earnings in Watertown center on a median $70,107 (1.2× below Jefferson County median $83,750; 1.1× below Wisconsin median $77,485), with homes at a median value of $222,100. The surrounding county supports 36,662 jobs (avg $59,552).
- $69,992 avg taxable income per return — similar than the median household income (vs Wisconsin $74,990).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $70,107 — near the Wisconsin median ($73,427). Poverty rate 9.9% (U.S. average ~12.5%). 31% of renters spend more than half their income on rent ("severely cost-burdened" by HUD definition; U.S. ~24%).
| Affordability · Home Price To Income | 3.2× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Home Affordability | moderate |
| Affordability · Rent Pct Income | 18.2% |
| Affordability · Rent Affordability | affordable |
| Affordability · Pct Severely Rent Burdened | 30.9% |
| Affordability · Poverty Rate | 9.9% |
| Affordability · Property Tax Pct Income | 5.3% |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $43,730 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $3,060,747 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $69,992 (vs Wisconsin $74,990) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $77,866 |
| Median Household Income | $70,107 (vs Wisconsin $73,427) |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | mixed |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Manufacturing |
| Economic Character · Income Level | middle-class |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $70,107 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 3.4% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 7% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Mean Commute Min | 24.60 |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 6.9% |
| Commuter Profile · Profile | short commute |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 36,662 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $2,183,270,250 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $59,552 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 2,885,990 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% (vs Wisconsin 2.2%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 19 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 374,456 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 19,708.20 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Animal Totals, Crop Totals, Milk, Grain, Corn |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 1,703 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 32,584 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 2,128,137 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 12 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 32 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 13 |
| Local Businesses · Electronics Stores | 4 |
| Local Businesses · New Car Dealers | 8 |
| Local Businesses · Used Car Dealers | 8 |
| Local Businesses · Florists | 4 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 52 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 39 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 34 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 10 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (7)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (5)
| Nearest Snap · Name | KWIK TRIP 658 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 21 |
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | WATERTOWN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $523,876,457 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 5,860.18 (vs Wisconsin $6,238) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 89,396 people (vs Wisconsin 25,785) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 78.8% |
|---|---|
| Pct Public Transit | 3.1% |
| Pct Walked | 6.9% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 40.6 years (vs Wisconsin 38.3y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 36.4% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 2 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | older population, strong SS base, hospital access, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | excellent |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12