Watertown, Wisconsin

Overview

As a critical healthcare facility in Watertown, Wisconsin, Watertown Regional Medical Center occupies a central position within the regional infrastructure. This hospital connects residents across multiple incorporated places, making it a focal point for the surrounding area. Analyzing the population within a 30-minute drive sheds light on how this location fits into the broader community network.

Population catchment

The catchment area surrounding Watertown Regional Medical Center includes 20 incorporated communities with a combined population of roughly 87,043. Watertown anchors this population base at 22,926 residents, comprising approximately 26% of the total. Oconomowoc and Jefferson, with populations of 18,203 and 7,793 respectively, round out the top three communities by population in the 30-minute radius. The distribution of population across these communities paints a picture of the regional demographic landscape.

Regional dependence

The data reveals that 15 communities out of 20 near Watertown Regional Medical Center have fewer than 5,000 residents. These smaller incorporated places look to Watertown and its surrounding infrastructure for commerce, employment, and civic services. This hub-and-spoke dynamic underscores how locations like Watertown Regional Medical Center function as critical nodes in the regional network of Wisconsin.

Geographic interpretation

The suburban nature of the area around Watertown Regional Medical Center is reflected in the population data. The region blends suburban and semi-rural characteristics, with 2 communities above 10,000 residents alongside a collection of smaller incorporated places. With Watertown as the primary urban anchor and numerous smaller places in the vicinity, the region displays a moderately concentrated demographic pattern. The median community size of 2,512 residents reveals that the majority of incorporated places in the area are substantially smaller relative to Watertown. These geographic factors contribute to the significance of Watertown Regional Medical Center within the surrounding community network.