Waterloo, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waterloo, Iowa had a total population of 67,008, the 9th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $57,480, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Waterloo Quick Facts
How Waterloo Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,947 | 67,008 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $56,344 | $57,480 | +2.0% |
| Median home value | $150,200 | $152,600 | +1.6% |
How Waterloo Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waterloo Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Black Hawk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Falls | 40,888 | $76,987 | 15.7% | $263,600 |
| Evansdale | 4,518 | $60,397 | 24.0% | $150,300 |
| Hudson | 2,699 | $120,481 | 4.0% | $242,700 |
| Jesup | 2,561 | $89,408 | 7.0% | $190,200 |
| La Porte City | 2,071 | $70,500 | 10.8% | $163,200 |
| Elk Run Heights | 964 | $76,500 | 4.0% | $171,200 |
| Janesville | 917 | $103,542 | 5.5% | $221,700 |
| Raymond | 899 | $76,711 | 4.3% | $222,600 |
| Dunkerton | 821 | $86,413 | 7.0% | $189,700 |
| Gilbertville | 761 | $79,583 | 3.1% | $197,400 |
Cities Similar to Waterloo
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames | 67,669 | $60,991 | $277,400 | 65.8% | 25.4% |
| Council Bluffs | 62,586 | $64,578 | $171,800 | 21.5% | 15.1% |
| Iowa City | 75,752 | $58,546 | $285,900 | 60.5% | 26.3% |
| Dubuque | 59,174 | $65,845 | $204,800 | 34.0% | 12.7% |
| West Des Moines | 71,083 | $86,594 | $309,000 | 54.9% | 8.4% |
Population Overview
Waterloo is a mid-sized community located in Iowa, within Black Hawk County. The total population is 67,008. It ranks as the 9th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waterloo is 36.7 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waterloo is $57,480. This is 23% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.6%. This is 50% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 47% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $152,600. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Waterloo is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Waterloo is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 16.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (16.4% vs 3.8%).
Education
21.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waterloo, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Waterloo, Iowa?
Waterloo, Iowa has a population of 67,008 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waterloo, IA?
The median household income in Waterloo is $57,480, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waterloo, IA?
The poverty rate in Waterloo is 16.6%. This means approximately 10,930 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waterloo, Iowa?
Waterloo's population is 65.5% White, 16.4% Black, 8.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waterloo, IA?
The median home value in Waterloo is $152,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Waterloo, Iowa?
21.8% of adults (25+) in Waterloo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.