Inspiring landscape views beside Lake Kampeska and Pelican Lake
South Dakota’s flat-topped hills, lakes and rock features have long inspired landscape artists hoping to capture the majesty of the Great American Plains. One such artist was Terry Redlin, a native of Watertown, South Dakota, inspired by his hometown’s natural features: Pelican Lake to the south, Lake Kampeska directly north and the Big Sioux River flowing through it all. “That’s probably the biggest draw, the local lakes,” says Jim Pieper of JP Real Estate, who grew up in the area. Today, much of Redlin’s art is displayed in the Redlin Art Center, a museum on the eastern outskirts of the city. With a population of around 22,000 people, Watertown is one of the state’s most populous areas; it’s still growing, and the local government has invested in improvements to the city’s infrastructure and central business district. “We’re an up-and-coming community,” confirms Pieper, adding that Watertown even got its own semi-pro hockey team—the Shamrocks—in 2024. Along with its picturesque landscapes and ever-expanding list of attractions, prospective buyers are attracted to the city’s proximity to Interstate 29, which leads directly to Sioux Falls. “It’s really a great place to raise a family,” says Pieper.
Terry Radlin Art Center is a favorite to enjoy art in Watertown.
There are many big box options for shopping and dining in Watertown.
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Sale prices below the national median
Those looking to put down roots in Watertown will find a range of housing options, from quaint, early 20th-century cottages to single-story mid-centuries. The city’s oldest homes date back to the late 1800s and sit on compact, gridded lots closer to downtown, but there are also late ‘90s and early 2000s options in outlying subdivisions. The most common architectural styles, according to Pieper, are ranch-style houses and split-levels. The median sale price for a single-family home in Watertown is close to $355,000, which, although higher than most cities in South Dakota, is still significantly lower than the national median of $420,000. “We have the Lake Area Technical College in the area. It’s a two-year trade school that really keeps our market strong. A lot of students rent within the community, and then the people that would normally rent are buying homes,” says Pieper. “Inventory is low.” Although lots are gridded and relatively compact, streets here are still quiet; Watertown’s violent and property crime rates are lower than both national and state averages.
There are many architecture styles throughout the Watertown community.
There are many varities of homes found in Watertown.
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Lakefront recreation, ice rinks, community gardens and more
Watertown’s main appeal—and even its name—is derived from its proximity to features like Pelican Lake and Lake Kampeska, which offer year-round recreational opportunities like fishing, ice fishing and boating. There’s a 27-hole golf course, a shooting range and over 20 public parks of varying sizes throughout Watertown, the largest of which is Stokes-Thomas Lake City Park & Campground. It has its own beach, boating docks and several picnicking shelters, sometimes reserved for family reunions or birthday parties on warm days. Rustic recreational trails in Forsberg Park lead through protected nature areas, and Jackson Park has a disc golf course. Watertown residents can also rent out community garden plots, attend open skates in the Prairie Lakes Ice Arena—home of the Shamrocks—or take swim lessons at the Family Aquatic Center on 3rd Street. Prairie Lakes Wellness Center, a new addition to the community, has indoor gym equipment, a basketball court and a regular schedule of fitness classes.
Prairie Lake Ice Rink is a great place to spend the afternoon skating with friends in Watertown.
Pelican Lake is a great place for ice fishing in the winter months in Watertown.
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Bramble Park Zoo, The Goss Opera House and annual events
Over 100 species of animals call Watertown, and specifically Bramble Park Zoo, home. Founded in 1912, the zoo is open throughout the year and hosts educational programs, Sippin’ Safari Nights for adults and annual free days sponsored by Midco. In November, the city’s downtown is decorated with twinkling lights prior to the Holiday Light Parade, and the Optimist Club turns Stokes-Thomas Lake City Park into a “Winter Wonderland.” The Goss Opera House hosts Dinner & A Movie nights, South Dakota Symphony Orchestra performances, and more throughout the year, and families can learn about local history at the nearby Codington County Heritage Museum. Other annual events include Cookin’ on Kampeska, held over a July weekend also in City Park. According to Pieper, “They have food competitions, you know—who’s got the best ribs or whatever that might be—and they bring entertainment there as well.” The Sandbar, a restaurant that looks out onto Lake Kampeska, also has live music shows during the summertime.
Bramble Park Zoo is a great place to spend the afternoon in Watertown.
Gross Opera House is a historic building in Watertown and now hosts Maverick's.
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Brewery hopping and retail along Broadway Avenue
Shopping and dining options in Watertown are primarily concentrated along Broadway Avenue and between 1st Avenue South and 1st Avenue North. Close to 20 buildings throughout the city belong to the National Register of Historic Places, and many, like the Codington County Heritage Museum and Old Watertown Post Office, are found downtown. Streets are lined with everything from casual pizza joints to sushi restaurants, and brewery hopping is a popular local pastime. There are also big box retailers, grocery stores, and plenty of fast food restaurants along 9th Avenue to the south.
Watertown Brewing Company in downtown Watertown is a great place for the newest IPA.
Historic downtown Watertown has many dining options such as Downtown Sushi.
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The Watertown School District and the Lake Area Technical College
Area students can enroll in the Watertown School District, home of the Watertown Arrows, which has an overall B-plus grade from Niche. There are seven schools and approximately 3,800 students within the district, and Watertown High School has a graduation rate of 95%. Watertown is also home to the Lake Area Technical College, which has been connecting students with career opportunities since 1965, and the city’s regional library has book club opportunities, STEAM workshops for middle schoolers and adult writing classes.
Students love attending Lake Area Technical College in Watertown.
Lake Area Technical College is a great place for students to learn the trades in Watertown.
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Area manufacturers and I-29 to Sioux Falls
“If people are looking for a community to go to with jobs, this is the one,” says Pieper. Watertown is home to large-scale manufacturers like Terex-Utilities, Crenlo and more, and it takes around an hour and a half to drive the 100 miles to Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s largest city. I-29 makes for easy commutes, but public transportation is limited. Watertown also has its own regional airport that offers flights to larger hubs like Denver and Chicago, and medical care is accessible at Prairie Lakes Hospital.
Terex Utilities is a major employer in the Watertown area.
Interstate 29 is the closest major highway available for Watertown Residents.
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Written By
Sara Caskey
Photography Contributed By
Kevin Franz
Video By
Ennis Warlick
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Ron Borchardt,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Watertown, SD sell after 41 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Watertown, SD over the last 12 months is $291,500, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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