Waterloo, NE

Nebraska · Metropolitan Area

Waterloo is a small town in Nebraska with a population of 950. Residents earn $75,417 per year, which is 0% below the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
950 Population 1,022/sq mi density
$75,417 Median Income $35,341 per capita
$218,400 Home Value $430,030 Zillow
$1,125 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$75,417 median income, 0.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$218,400 home value, $1,125/mo rent
C
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $75,417
0% lower than US avg
Home Value $218,400
23% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.3%
46% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,125
3% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.2%
3% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.4%
89% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.1%
67% lower than US avg

How Waterloo Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population950
Median Age38.5 yrs
Density1,022/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

A+
Median Income$75,417
Per Capita$35,341
Unemployment0.4%
Poverty4.1%
County GDP$73,771M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$218,400
Rent$1,125
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$430,030

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity33.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.2%
Heart Disease4.2%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI32 (Good)
Rain33.2 in/yr
Elevation1,119 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+18.3%
High School+93.0%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 44% / D 54%
Commute26 min
Libraries18

Is Waterloo a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Waterloo receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Waterloo stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Waterloo is $75,417, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.4%. Only 4.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Waterloo is $218,400, 23% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,125 per month. At just 2.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

18.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Waterloo experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.2 inches, including 31.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Waterloo has a population of 950 with a density of 1,022 people per square mile. The median age is 38.5 years, 1% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.7%), with 2.2% Black.

Population

950
Total Population
1,022
People / sq mi
38.5yrs
Median Age
1% below US avg
0.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.2%
Female 52.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Waterloo vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.2%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.8%
79% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Waterloo vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Waterloo is $75,417, which is 0% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Waterloo vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$75,417
0% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,341
Avg Weekly Wage$1,305
IRS Avg AGI$99,494

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.4%
89% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.1%
67% below US avg
Establishments (County)18,801
County GDP$73,771M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,556
Healthcare2,146
Retail1,672
Manufacturing386

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,507
143% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.90%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.8 min
Work from Home12.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Waterloo is $218,400, 23% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,125 (3% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $430,030.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$218,400
23% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$430,030

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,125
3% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$706
1 Bedroom$791
2 Bedrooms$1,001
3 Bedrooms$1,274
4 Bedrooms$1,409

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied77.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,507
143% above US avg
Effective Rate3.90%
In Waterloo, 33.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 19.2% report depression. 16.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Waterloo vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.2%
3% above US avg
Diabetes6.9%
Heart Disease4.2%
High Blood Pressure25.6%
Asthma8.4%
COPD4.0%
Stroke2.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.7%
Physical Inactivity16.4%
Depression19.2%
Mental Distress13.8%
Physical Distress9.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.3%
Checkup Rate74.4%
Premature Death7,599/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access97.4%
Healthcare Facilities2,146

Crime Rates: Waterloo vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)37
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Waterloo has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average51.9°F
4% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.2 inches
13% below US avg
Snowfall31.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,119 ft (341 m)
Area0.9 sq mi (2.4 km²)
Population Density1,022/sq mi
Coordinates41.2868°N, 96.2880°W
County FIPS31055
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 18.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (46% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 10.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 44.2%
D 54.4%

Winner: Democrat by 10.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.3%
46% below US avg
High School+93.0%
School Test Score5.81
C Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,022/sq mi
Total Area0.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries18
Healthcare Facilities2,146
Restaurants1,556
Retail Stores1,672

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)37
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.8 min
Work from Home12.1%

Nearby Cities

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