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CITY

Waterloo

Iowa · 66,919 residents (2025 est.) · 61.595 sq mi
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The short version

Waterloo has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $57,480. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $152,600.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 31%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
67,008
−3%since 2000
from 68,747 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,088 / sq mi
−3%since 2000
from 1,116 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.7
+2%since 2000
from 35.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:66,919 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
66K67K68K68K69K1990201020202024Waterloo
202467K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$57,480
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,092 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,837
+77%since 2000
from $18,558 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
35.7%
+18.1 ptssince 2009
from 17.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
16.6%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 13.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.442
+2%since 2010
from 0.432 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade19.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Information13.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services5.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade5.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance5.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration4.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$152,600
+31%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $63,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$923
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $467 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
62.1%
−5.0 ptssince 2000
from 67.1% in 2000
37.9% rent
Vacancy rate
8.9%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 7.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
17.9%
−5.9 ptssince 2009
from 23.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
43.0%
−7.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.7
+42%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
39
RELATED:See current rent listings in Waterloo on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic80.6%(55,419)
Black13.8%(9,468)
Hispanic / Latino2.6%(1,806)
Asian0.8%(581)
Other0%
Diversity Score37.6%(25,847)
2024
White, non-Hispanic65.5%(43,880)
Black16.4%(11,004)
Hispanic / Latino8.4%(5,616)
Asian3.2%(2,125)
Other6.5%(4,383)
Diversity Score66.5%(44,552)
Diversity Score
66
+77%since 2000
from 38 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.8%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 19.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
89.6%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 83.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2000
from 7.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.9 min
+54%since 2000
from 10.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
78.1%
−6.5 ptssince 2009
from 84.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
11.4%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.4%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.6%
+5.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.6%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
7.8%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.3%
−2.8 ptssince 2011
from 8.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
65.6%
−0.5 ptssince 2011
from 66.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.0%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
30.0%
−31.0 ptssince 2009
from 61.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.0%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 47.5% in 2009
Female
51.0%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 52.5% in 2009
Foreign born
10.1%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.3%
−40.6 ptssince 2009
from 46.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
14.9%
−0.9 ptssince 2012
from 15.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.0%
−82.9 ptssince 2013
from 89.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
87.2%
+12.9 ptssince 2017
from 74.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
86.0%
−2.9 ptssince 2016
from 88.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
5.4%
+0.6 ptssince 2016
from 4.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Waterloo to nearby cities

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Income$76,987+34%
Home value$263,600+73%
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WATERLOO VS
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WATERLOO VS
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WATERLOO VS
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Income$86,743+51%
Home value$241,700+58%
Population42,732−36%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Waterloo, Iowa?

Waterloo, Iowa has about 67,008 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Waterloo, Iowa?

The typical household in Waterloo, Iowa earns about $57,480 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Waterloo, Iowa expensive?

In Waterloo, Iowa, the median home is worth about $152,600, and the typical rent is about $923 a month.

How educated are people in Waterloo, Iowa?

About 21.8% of adults age 25 and over in Waterloo, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Waterloo, Iowa?

About 16.6% of people in Waterloo, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Waterloo, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Waterloo, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 541 residents, a change of about 1 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →