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CITY

Waterloo

Illinois · 11,132 residents (2025 est.) · 8.234 sq mi
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The short version

Waterloo is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $98,711. Population has grown 46% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $249,500. Poverty is rare here, at 5.9% of residents. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.5
US median: 38.9
Average education
37% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
11,129
+46%since 2000
from 7,614 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,352 / sq mi
+46%since 2000
from 925 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.5
+14%since 2000
from 36.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:11,132 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K6K8K10K12K1990201020202024Waterloo
202411K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$98,711
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $46,938 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$47,421
+125%since 2000
from $21,081 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
58.2%
+16.0 ptssince 2009
from 42.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
5.9%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 3.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.405
−1%since 2010
from 0.409 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services12.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Information12.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Public administration10.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Retail trade9.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance8%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade4.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Education & health services3.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Construction2.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0.9%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$249,500
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $118,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$886
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $543 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
78.2%
+7.1 ptssince 2000
from 71.1% in 2000
21.8% rent
Vacancy rate
6.8%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
12.8%
−11.3 ptssince 2009
from 24.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
48.0%
+15.1 ptssince 2009
from 32.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.5
Unchangedsince 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
55
RELATED:See current rent listings in Waterloo on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.4%(7,495)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(52)
Asian0.3%(24)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.5%(190)
2024
White, non-Hispanic94.1%(10,470)
Black1%(115)
Hispanic / Latino1.8%(200)
Asian1.7%(189)
Other1.4%(155)
Diversity Score14.3%(1,586)
Diversity Score
14
+472%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
37.3%
+18.0 ptssince 2000
from 19.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
96.7%
+11.3 ptssince 2000
from 85.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
13.8%
+7.6 ptssince 2000
from 6.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.8 min
+27%since 2000
from 21.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
77.4%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 80.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.9%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
12.9%
+8.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.2%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.3%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.3%
−1.8 ptssince 2011
from 4.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
66.4%
−0.6 ptssince 2011
from 67.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.3%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 14.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
47.6%
−13.6 ptssince 2009
from 61.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.8%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
Female
51.2%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
Foreign born
2.7%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.8%
−39.8 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.5%
+2.0 ptssince 2012
from 10.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.4%
−88.3 ptssince 2013
from 91.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
94.6%
+17.7 ptssince 2017
from 76.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.4%
−0.6 ptssince 2016
from 98.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.4%
+1.1 ptssince 2016
from 0.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Waterloo to nearby cities

WATERLOO VS
Columbia
Income$107,606+9%
Home value$293,000+17%
Population10,865−2%
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WATERLOO VS
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Income$106,362+8%
Home value$318,600+28%
Population35,333+217%
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WATERLOO VS
Arnold
Income$78,370−21%
Home value$220,000−12%
Population20,994+89%
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WATERLOO VS
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Income$67,071−32%
Home value$218,400−12%
Population29,805+168%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Waterloo, Illinois?

Waterloo, Illinois has about 11,129 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Waterloo, Illinois?

The typical household in Waterloo, Illinois earns about $98,711 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Waterloo, Illinois expensive?

In Waterloo, Illinois, the median home is worth about $249,500, and the typical rent is about $886 a month.

How educated are people in Waterloo, Illinois?

About 37.3% of adults age 25 and over in Waterloo, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Waterloo, Illinois?

About 5.9% of people in Waterloo, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Waterloo, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Waterloo, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 6,057 residents, a change of about 119 percent over that period.

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

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