Waterloo city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Waterloo city, Iowa has a total population of 66,947, the 8th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $56,344, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.4%.
Waterloo city Quick Facts
How Waterloo city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 30 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waterloo city Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Black Hawk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Falls city | 40,662 | $74,165 | 15.6% | $252,500 |
| Evansdale city | 4,530 | $57,415 | 20.8% | $138,200 |
Cities Similar to Waterloo city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames city | 66,112 | $60,102 | $263,800 | 63.5% | 25.9% |
| Iowa City city | 75,264 | $57,533 | $273,600 | 60.7% | 26.3% |
| Council Bluffs city | 62,564 | $64,092 | $164,300 | 21.7% | 13.2% |
| Dubuque city | 59,271 | $64,985 | $193,100 | 33.6% | 12.2% |
| West Des Moines city | 69,893 | $84,925 | $286,300 | 54.6% | 7.3% |
Population Overview
Waterloo city is a mid-sized community located in Iowa, within Black Hawk County. The total population is 66,947. It ranks as the 8th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waterloo city is 36.6 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waterloo city is $56,344. This is 23% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 28% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.4%. This is 49% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.4%. This is 75% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $150,200. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Waterloo city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 71.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Waterloo city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 16.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (16.9% vs 3.8%).
Education
22.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% lower than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waterloo city, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,018 Census-designated places in Iowa. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Waterloo city, Iowa?
Waterloo city, Iowa has a population of 66,947 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waterloo city, IA?
The median household income in Waterloo city is $56,344, which is 28% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Waterloo city, IA?
The poverty rate in Waterloo city is 16.4%. This means approximately 10,818 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waterloo city, Iowa?
Waterloo city's population is 67.2% White, 16.9% Black, 7.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waterloo city, IA?
The median home value in Waterloo city is $150,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Waterloo city, Iowa?
22.6% of adults (25+) in Waterloo city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.