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Moving to Watertown, New York

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Watertown, New York is located in the northern part of the state, in Jefferson County. It has a population of about 27,000 people. The city is situated on the Black River and is near Lake Ontario. Watertown has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid, while winters are cold and snowy.

The history of Watertown dates back to the mid-1700s when it was first settled by pioneers from New England. The city was officially incorporated in 1869 and became an important industrial center for the region. In recent years, Watertown has shifted from an industrial economy to a more service-oriented economy with a focus on technology and health care.

Watertown is served by several school districts including Watertown City School District, South Jefferson Central School District and Indian River Central School District. These districts provide educational opportunities for students ranging from elementary through high school levels. There are also several colleges and universities located within a short distance of Watertown including Clarkson University, SUNY Canton and St Lawrence University.

Watertown boasts many landmarks including Fort Drum Military Reservation which covers over 107,000 acres and is home to the 10th Mountain Division Light Infantry; Thompson Park which offers outdoor recreational activities such as fishing, biking and walking trails; Public Square which features many historic buildings; Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site which commemorates one of the most important battles of the War of 1812; Black River Valley Trail System which offers miles of trails for biking or hiking; and Salmon Run Mall which provides shopping opportunities for residents in the area.

Population: 26,705. Estimated population in July 2024: 27,220 (+1.9% change)
Males: 12,688 (47.5%), Females: 14,017 (52.5%)

Jefferson County

Zip codes: 13601, 13603.

Demographics

Median resident age: 34.0 years
Median household income: $28,429
Median house value: $64,400

Population by Race

Races in Watertown:

  • White Non-Hispanic (87.8%)
  • Black (4.9%)
  • Hispanic (3.6%)
  • Two or more races (2.4%)
  • Other race (1.7%)
  • American Indian (1.2%)

Ancestries: Irish (18.3%), German (12.6%), Italian (11.8%), English (10.4%), French (10.1%), United States (8.0%).

Elevation: 478 feet

Land area: 9.0 square miles

Population by Education

Watertown, New York is a city located in Jefferson County and is home to a population of about 27,023. The majority of people living in Watertown are white, with African Americans and Hispanics making up the minority. The median household income is $40,908, which is slightly lower than the state average.

The cost of living in Watertown is also lower than the national average. Housing costs are particularly affordable; the median home value is $116,800 and renters pay an average of $735 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. Utilities tend to be low as well; electricity costs an average of 12 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), while natural gas averages 1 cent per therm.

The city also has plenty of entertainment options for its residents. There are numerous parks and outdoor activities available throughout the area, including several golf courses and fishing spots on Black River. For those looking for something indoors, there are several museums and galleries that offer unique experiences for visitors to explore. Additionally, there are plenty of local restaurants that offer both traditional American fare as well as a variety of ethnic cuisines from around the world.

For population 25 years and over in Watertown

  • High school or higher: 82.5%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 17.3%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 7.4%
  • Unemployed: 8.9%
  • Mean travel time to work: 16.6 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Watertown city

  • Never married: 27.2%
  • Now married: 48.4%
  • Separated: 4.5%
  • Widowed: 8.7%
  • Divorced: 11.2%

4.0% Foreign born (1.2% Europe, 1.0% Asia, 1.0% North America, 0.8% Latin America).

Population change in the 1990s: -2,956 (-10.0%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Watertown:

  • SAMARITAN MEDICAL CENTER (830 WASHINGTON ST)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Watertown:

  • CARTHAGE AREA HOSPITAL (about 21 miles; CARTHAGE, NY)
  • E J NOBLE-ALEXANDRIA BAY (about 25 miles; ALEXANDRIA BAY, NY)
  • LEWIS COUNTY GENERAL HOSPITAL (about 33 miles; LOWVILLE, NY)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Watertown:

  • WATERTOWN INTERNATIONAL (about 8 miles; WATERTOWN, NY; Abbreviation: ART)
  • WHEELER-SACK AAF (about 15 miles; FORT DRUM, NY; Abbreviation: GTB)
  • OGDENSBURG INTL (about 58 miles; OGDENSBURG, NY; Abbreviation: OGS)

Other public-use airports nearest to Watertown:

  • MAXSON AIRFIELD (about 24 miles; ALEXANDRIA BAY, NY; Abbreviation: 89N)
  • HENDRICKS FIELD (about 45 miles; GOUVERNEUR, NY; Abbreviation: 1K0)
  • BECKS GROVE (about 55 miles; ROME, NY; Abbreviation: K16)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/Universities in Watertown:

  • JEFFERSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 2,454; Location: OUTER COFFEEN ST; Public; Website: www.sunyjefferson.edu)
  • JEFFERSON-LEWIS BOCES PROGRAM OF PRACTICAL NURSING (Full-time enrollment: 35; Location: 20104 STATE RTE 3; Public; Website: www.boces.com)

Other colleges/universities with over 2000 students near Watertown:

  • SUNY COLLEGE AT OSWEGO (about 54 miles; OSWEGO, NY; Full-time enrollment: 7,138)
  • LE MOYNE COLLEGE (about 66 miles; SYRACUSE, NY; Full-time enrollment: 2,517)
  • SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY (about 67 miles; SYRACUSE, NY; Full-time enrollment: 15,859)
  • ST LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY (about 68 miles; CANTON, NY; Full-time enrollment: 2,010)
  • CLARKSON UNIVERSITY (about 68 miles; POTSDAM, NY; Full-time enrollment: 2,832)
  • ONONDAGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 71 miles; SYRACUSE, NY; Full-time enrollment: 5,132)
  • SUNY COLLEGE OF AGRIC AND TECHN AT MORRISVILLE (about 75 miles; MORRISVILLE, NY; Full-time enrollment: 2,790)

Schools

Public high school in Watertown:

  • WATERTOWN SHS (Students: 1,166; Location: 1335 WASHINGTON ST; Grades: 09 – 12)

Private high school in Watertown:

  • FAITH FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN SCH (Students: 149; Location: 131 MOORE AVE; Grades: PK – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Watertown:

  • HAROLD T. WILEY SCHOOL (Students: 1,023; Location: 1351 WASHINGTON ST; Grades: 04 – 06)
  • CASE MS (Students: 676; Location: 1237 WASHINGTON ST; Grades: 07 – 08)
  • NORTH ES (Students: 543; Location: 171 E HOARD ST; Grades: PK – 03)
  • BOCES JEFFER-LEWIS-HAMIL-HERK-ONEIDA (Students: 452; Location: 20104 NYS ROUTE 3; Grades: UG – UG)
  • KNICKERBOCKER SCHOOL (Students: 372; Location: 739 KNICKERBOCKER DR; Grades: PK – 03)
  • OHIO STREET SCHOOL (Students: 310; Location: 1537 OHIO ST; Grades: KG – 03)
  • SHERMAN SCHOOL (Students: 239; Location: 832 SHERMAN ST; Grades: KG – 03)
  • WATERTOWN CORR FACIL (Students: 5; Location: DRY HL; Grades: UG – UG)

Private primary/middle schools in Watertown:

  • HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL (Students: 361; Location: STERLING PLACE; Grades: PK – 8)
  • SACRED HEART SCHOOL (Students: 220; Location: 320 WEST LYNDE STREET; Grades: PK – 8)
  • ST ANTHONYS SCHOOL (Students: 196; Location: 870 ARSENAL ST; Grades: PK – 8)
  • ST PATRICK’S SCHOOL (Students: 160; Location: 733 S MASSEY STREET; Grades: PK – 8)

Libraries

Libraries in Watertown:

  • ROSWELL P. FLOWER MEMORIAL LIBRARY (Operating income: $923,494; Location: 229 WASHINGTON STREET; 156,675 books; 4,918 audio materials; 2,080 video materials; 169 serial subscriptions)
  • EAST HOUNSFIELD FREE LIBRARY (Operating income: $9,073; Location: 19438 NYS ROUTE 3; 3,162 books)

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