Waterloo, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Black Hawk County County

3.0 /5.0
B Good
66,947 Population 1,087/sq mi density
$56,344 Median Income $33,372 per capita
$150,200 Home Value $147,780 Zillow
$896 Median Rent 27.4% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature
484 Violent Crime/100K 2,484 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$56,344 median income, 6.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$150,200 home value, $896/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
484 violent crimes/100K (27% above avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Waterloo experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.3 inches. The area receives 39.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 47.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average49.0°F
9% below US avg
January Average19°F (-7°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Geography

Elevation892 ft (272 m)
Area63.2 sq mi (163.8 km²)
Population Density1,087/sq mi
Coordinates42.4923°N, 92.3519°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyBlack Hawk County County
Nearest AirportWaterloo Regional (ALO)
5 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 36.3"
4% below US avg
Snowfall 39.1"
Wettest Month (Jun) 5.72"
Driest Month (Jan) 1.10"

Air Quality

AQI Median47.0
RatingGood
Good Days %58.9%
Unhealthy Days0

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

PM2.5 (Fine Particles)9.4 μg/m³

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score76.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability23.4 / 100
Community Resilience94.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively High
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively High
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Relatively High
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively High
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Tornado History

621 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 40 fatalities, 1,007 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
May 25, 2008 EF5 44 km 9
May 15, 1968 EF5 70 km 13
May 15, 1968 EF5 40 km 5
Mar 13, 1990 EF4 82 km 0
May 30, 1989 EF4 71 km 0
Aug 12, 1974 EF4 73 km 0
Aug 12, 1974 EF4 84 km 0
Jul 12, 1971 EF4 82 km 0
Aug 26, 1965 EF4 25 km 1
May 5, 1965 EF4 96 km 0
Sep 1, 1961 EF4 62 km 0
Apr 30, 1954 EF4 66 km 0
Jul 19, 2018 EF3 72 km 0
May 25, 2008 EF3 30 km 0
May 21, 2004 EF3 66 km 0
May 11, 2000 EF3 9 km 1
Jul 27, 1995 EF3 56 km 0
Jul 19, 1994 EF3 90 km 0
Jun 19, 1993 EF3 68 km 0
Jun 28, 1990 EF3 69 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

4 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (939 ac, 2009).

Year Name Acres Distance
2009 UNNAMED 939 70 km
2010 FOLEY 786 72 km
2011 ACE AUTO 676 77 km
2011 IRCP WUI ROFAE #2 FY11 510 67 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 19°F (-7°C) 1.1 in Coldest, Driest
February 24°F (-5°C) 1.1 in
March 37°F (3°C) 2.0 in
April 49°F (10°C) 4.0 in
May 62°F (16°C) 4.6 in
June 72°F (22°C) 5.7 in Wettest
July 75°F (24°C) 4.3 in Warmest
August 72°F (22°C) 4.2 in
September 65°F (18°C) 3.1 in
October 52°F (11°C) 2.8 in
November 37°F (3°C) 1.9 in
December 25°F (-4°C) 1.4 in

Waterloo has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 19°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.7") and January the driest (1.1").

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