Watertown is a city in Jefferson County, New York, United States. The population was 26,705 at the 2000 census. The area is served by Watertown International Airport.

The city of Watertown was setteled in 1800 by New England pioneers. These pioneers choose the area due to the Black River. The pioneers' vision was an industrial centre, which would draw power from the Black. When the pioneers and their families arrived, they faced many challenges. All of the land was rough and unclear. Elevation was also a problem. The western end of the town was 12 to 15 feet higher than the eastern end, with a large depression in the middle. A small stream also passed through the town. In a few years, the area was cleared for a public square.[1] Watertown became the county seat of Jefferson County in 1805 and became an Incorporated Village in 1816. In 1869 Watertown was incorporated as a city. In 1920 the city adopted a city manager style of government.