Watertown, Wisconsin
Watertown is a city in Jefferson and Dodge Counties in Wisconsin. The population was 21,598 at the 2000 census. In Dodge County, the city is surrounded by the Town of Watertown.
The city claims to have been the home of the first kindergarten in the United States; the building that housed this kindergarten is now located on the grounds of the Octagon House Museum in Watertown. Watertown High School -- the only public high school in the city -- is home to the mighty Goslings. The campus of Northwestern College, which closed in 1995, is now part of Luther Prep High School. Maranatha Baptist Bible College is also located in Watertown.
Contents |
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 29.3 km² (11.3 mi²).
The Rock River flows through Watertown in a horseshoe bend before heading south and west on its way to the Mississippi.
Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 21,598 people, 8,022 households, and 5,567 families residing in the city. The population density was 762.3/km² (1,974.1/mi²). There were 8,330 housing units at an average density of 294.0/km² (761.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.90% White, 0.25% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.69% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.94% of the population.
There were 8,022 households out of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.2% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,562, and the median income for a family was $50,686. Males had a median income of $34,825 versus $23,811 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,977. About 4.6% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
Primary automobile transportation is provided via Highway 19, Highway 26 and Highway 16. Highways 26 and 16 provide easy access to Interstate 94. Highway 16 provides access to the Milwaukee metro area and highway 19 provides access to the Madison metro area. General aviation interests are served by the Watertown Municipal Airport.Amtrak's Empire Builder passes through, but does not stop in, Watertown. The Milwaukee to Madison leg of the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative is planned to pass through Watertown.
Famous people from Watertown
- Daniel Brandenstein, former NASA astronaut, veteran of four space shuttle flights.
- Joseph E. Davies, the second Ambassador to represent the United States in the Soviet Union.
- Fred Merkle, a first baseman in Major League Baseball.
External links
- City of Watertown
- Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce
- Watertown Daily Times, local newspaper
- Watertown Unified School District
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
Categories
Cities in Wisconsin | Jefferson County, Wisconsin | Dodge County, Wisconsin | Micropolitan areas of Wisconsin