Watertown is a city located in the New York region of the United States and serves as the county seat of Jefferson County. Situated along the Black River, the city lies approximately 25 miles south of the Thousand Islands and about 5 miles east of the river's confluence with Lake Ontario. It is bordered by the town of Watertown on its southern, eastern, and western sides.
The city is recognized as the largest municipality in the North Country region. It serves as a primary service and shopping destination for personnel and families stationed at the nearby Fort Drum U.S. Army base, located 13 miles to the southwest. Local infrastructure includes the Watertown International Airport and the publication of the Watertown Daily Times.
A notable historical feature of the city is the Public Square Historic District. Located in the center of Watertown, this district was constructed in 1805 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. As of the 2020 United States census, the city had a population of 24,685 residents.