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Waterloo, ON

Ontario · Guelph Metro

Waterloo is a large city in Ontario with a population of 121,436. Residents earn $94,000 per year, which is 25% above the national average.

Data updated June 2026

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
121,436 Population 4,910/sq mi density
$94,000 Median Income $57,150 per capita
$750,000 Home Value
$1,400 Median Rent 24.1% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature 238 sunny days/yr
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$94,000 median income, 12.0% unemployment
C
Affordability
2.2 / 5.0
$750,000 home value, $1,400/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
26.1% bachelor's degree or higher

Discover Waterloo, ON

Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
Use the tabs and dropdown menus below to navigate every data point we track for this city.

Full City Profile
Median Income $94,000
25% higher than US avg
Home Value $750,000
166% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 26.1%
23% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,400
20% higher than US avg
Unemployment 12.0%
233% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.3%
9% lower than US avg

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

People

Population121,436
Median Age36.0 yrs
Density4,910/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 65%

Economy

B
Median Income$94,000
Per Capita$57,150
Unemployment12.0%
Poverty11.3%
Commute24 min

Housing

C
Home Value$750,000
Rent$1,400
Ownership61.3%
Housing Units47,040
Rent Burden24.1%

Crime

C+
Property66/100K
Burglary9/100K

Climate

Avg Temp47°F (8°C)
Rain34.4 in/yr
Sunny Days238/yr
Elevation1,060 ft (323 m)

Education

B
Bachelor's+26.1%
High School+25.1%
Graduate+15.4%

Community

Commute24 min

Is Waterloo a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Waterloo receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment. Waterloo has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Waterloo is $94,000, 25% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. At 12.0%, unemployment is notably high. 11.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Waterloo is $750,000, making it a premium housing market at 166% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,400 per month. With a home price-to-income ratio of 8x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Property crime occurs at a rate of 66 per 100,000, 97% below the national average.

Education

26.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 25.1% have completed high school.

Climate & Weather

Waterloo experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 238 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 34.4 inches, including 53.2 inches of snow.

Waterloo has a population of 121,436 with a density of 4,910 people per square mile, spread across 24.7 square miles. The median age is 36.0 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 49.6% female and 50.4% male. The city is predominantly White (65%), with 1.9% Hispanic, 3.1% Black, 24.1% Asian. English is the primary language spoken at home by 64.7% of residents.

Population

121,436
Total Population
2021 Census
4,910
People / sq mi
36.0yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
24.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.4%
Female 49.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Waterloo vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only 64.7%
18% below US avg
Spanish 0.9%
93% below US avg
Other Languages 34.5%

Social Characteristics

Waterloo vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Waterloo is $94,000, which is 25% above the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $57,150 (above the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $1,099, 23% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 12.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 11.3% of residents live below the poverty line. The area has 400 business establishments, including 195 restaurants. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes. 68.1% of workers work from home (above the 15.2% national rate).

Income: Waterloo vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$94,000
25% above US avg
Per Capita Income$57,150
Avg Weekly Wage$1,099

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment12.0%
233% above US avg
Poverty Rate11.3%
9% below US avg
Establishments (County)400

Business (County)

Restaurants195
Healthcare34
Retail32

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.5 min
Drive Alone76.4%
Public Transit6.5%
Work from Home68.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Waterloo is $750,000, 166% above the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $1,400 (20% above the national average of $1,163). 61.3% of housing units are owner-occupied. There are 47,040 total housing units in the city. 24.1% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. The home price-to-income ratio is 8x, making homeownership a significant financial stretch for most families.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$750,000
166% above US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,400
20% above US avg
Rent Burden24.1%

Ownership & Property

Homeownership61.3%
Owner-Occupied61.3%
Renter-Occupied38.7%
Housing Units47,040

Property Tax

Property crime stands at 66 per 100,000, 97% below the U.S. average. This includes larceny/theft at 47, burglary at 9, vehicle theft at 10 per 100,000 residents. Overall, Waterloo receives a safety grade of C+.

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Total Property65.8/100K
97% below US avg
Burglary9.1/100K
Theft47.1/100K
Vehicle Theft9.5/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
View full crime details →
Waterloo experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 238 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 34.4 inches. The area receives 53.2 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. The city sits at an elevation of 1,060 feet.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average46.9°F
13% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days238 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,060 ft (323 m)
Area24.7 sq mi (64.1 km²)
Population Density4,910/sq mi
Coordinates43.4668°N, 80.5164°W
TimezoneAmerica/Toronto

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 34.4"
9% below US avg
Snowfall 53.2"
Wettest Month (Jul) 3.86"
Driest Month (Feb) 2.20"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

8 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.8. Most recent: M3.0 on May 8, 2018.

Nov 26, 1999 14 km ESE of Centennial Scarborough, Canada M3.8 125 km
May 24, 2000 4 km ENE of Centennial Scarborough, Canada M3.1 120 km
May 8, 2018 14 km SSE of Ajax, Canada M3.0 130 km
May 25, 1995 3 km NW of Amherst, New York M3.0 146 km
Jun 16, 2004 11 km NNW of Angola on the Lake, New York M2.9 141 km
Mar 28, 2005 16 km NW of Virgil, Canada M2.8 101 km
Dec 21, 2009 10 km NNE of Olcott, New York M2.7 150 km
Sep 20, 2009 20 km ESE of Oakville, Canada M2.6 87 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 2.7 m (9 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1823 LAKE ERIE Unknown 2.7 m - 137 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 23°F (-5°C) 2.7 in
February 20°F (-7°C) 2.2 in Coldest, Driest
March 29°F (-2°C) 2.4 in
April 42°F (5°C) 3.1 in
May 54°F (12°C) 3.4 in
June 63°F (17°C) 3.2 in
July 69°F (21°C) 3.9 in Warmest, Wettest
August 66°F (19°C) 3.6 in
September 59°F (15°C) 3.5 in
October 48°F (9°C) 3.1 in
November 37°F (3°C) 3.7 in
December 26°F (-4°C) 2.9 in

Waterloo has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 20°F in February to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (2.2").

View full weather details →
26.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 23% below the national average of 33.7%. 25.1% have completed high school. 15.4% hold a graduate or professional degree. 34 healthcare facilities operate in the area. 76.4% of workers drive alone to work, while 6.5% use public transit.

Education

Bachelor's Degree+26.1%
23% below US avg
High School+25.1%
Graduate Degree+15.4%
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Area & Infrastructure

Population Density4,910/sq mi
Total Area24.7 sq mi

Services

Healthcare Facilities34
Restaurants195
Retail Stores32

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.5 min
Drive Alone76.4%
Public Transit6.5%
Work from Home68.1%

Schools in Waterloo

1 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Elizabeth Ziegler Public School - - - -
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Waterloo

20 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
570 News Kitchener local news AAC+ 47 kbps
Blown 60's, 70's MP3 192 kbps
Crucial Velocity Radio classic metal, hard rock MP3 192 kbps
CFRU 93.3 - MP3 128 kbps
Radio Laurier alternative, college radio MP3 128 kbps
CBC Radio One - Kitchener-Waterloo, ON (MP3 stream) features, news MP3 128 kbps
CIDC-FM "Z-103.5" Orangeville, ON rhythmic contemporary hits AAC+ 47 kbps
CKOT-FM 101.3 Giant FM classic rock canada, classic rock AAC+ 32 kbps
CKMO 101.5 "FM101" Orangeville, ON adult contemporary AAC+ 56 kbps
CICW-FM 101.1 "The Grand 101" Centre Wellington, ON community radio, hot adult contemporary MP3 160 kbps
CKMS-FM Radio Waterloo DI community alternative MP3 128 kbps
CKMS-FM Radio Waterloo S2 community radio MP3 128 kbps
CIKZ "Country 106.7" Kitchener, ON country AAC+ 47 kbps
98.5 CKWR Real Community Radio community, local radio MP3 320 kbps
CKWR 98.5 "Real Community Radio" Kitchener, ON community radio, multingual MP3 320 kbps
CKGL "City News 570" Kitchener, ON news talk AAC+ 47 kbps
CJIQ 88.3 Conestoga College - Kitchener, ON alternative rock, campus radio AAC+ 55 kbps
CHGK-FM 107.7 "2 Day FM" Stratford, ON hot adult contemporary AAC+ 57 kbps
CHYM 96.7 pop AAC+ 47 kbps
CKRZ 100.3 "Voice of the Grand" Ohsweken, ON community radio, indigenous MP3 96 kbps

Museums in Waterloo

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Brubacher House
Brubacher House
Castle Kilbride
City of Waterloo Museum
City of Waterloo Museum
Doon Heritage Village
Doon Heritage Village
Drumbo and District Museum
Earth Sciences Museum
Earth Sciences Museum
Fashion History Museum
Homer Watson House & Gallery
Homer Watson House & Gallery
Joseph Schneider Haus
Joseph Schneider Haus
Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum
Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum
Kichener-Waterloo Art Gallery
Kichener-Waterloo Art Gallery
St. Jacobs & Aberfoyle Model Railway
The Gallery
The Gallery
TheMuseum
TheMuseum
Waterloo Central Railway Resoration Shop
Wellington County Museum and Archives
Wilmot Heritage Fire Brigades Museum

Libraries in Waterloo

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Cambridge Public Library - Clemens Mill0.0
Cambridge Public Library - Hespeler0.0
Cambridge Public Library - Old Post Office0.0
Cambridge Public Library - Preston0.0
Cambridge Public Library - Queen's Square0.0
County of Brant Public Library - Glen Morris Branch0.0
Dana Porter Library0.0
Davis Centre Library0.0
Davis Centre Library0.0
Guelph Public Library - West End Branch0.0
Kitchener Public Library - Country Hills0.0
Kitchener Public Library - Country Hills0.0
Kitchener Public Library - Forest Heights0.0
Kitchener Public Library - Grand River Stanley Park0.0
Kitchener Public Library - Grand River Stanley Park0.0
Kitchener Public Library - Main0.0
Kitchener Public Library - Pioneer Park0.0
Kitchener Public Library - Pioneer Park0.0
Laurier Library0.0
Lusi Wong Library0.0
Lusi Wong Library0.0
Mini Library0.0
Oxford County Library - Plattsville0.0
Region Of Waterloo Library - Ayr Branch0.0
Region Of Waterloo Library - Baden Branch0.0
Region Of Waterloo Library - Bloomingdale Branch0.0
Region of Waterloo Library - Breslau Branch0.0
Region of Waterloo Library - Breslau Branch0.0
Region Of Waterloo Library - Elmira Branch0.0
Region Of Waterloo Library - Linwood Branch0.0
Region Of Waterloo Library - New Dundee Branch0.0
Region Of Waterloo Library - New Dundee Branch0.0
Region Of Waterloo Library - New Hamburg Branch0.0
Region Of Waterloo Library - St. Clements Branch0.0
Region of Waterloo Library - St. Jacobs Branch0.0
Region Of Waterloo Library - Wellesley Branch0.0
Southwest Community Library0.0
St. Jerome's Library0.0
St. Jerome's Library0.0
Waterloo Public Library - Eastside Branch0.0
Waterloo Public Library - John M. Harper Branch0.0
Waterloo Public Library - John M. Harper Branch0.0
Waterloo Public Library - Main0.0
Waterloo Public Library - McCormick Branch0.0
Waterloo Public Library - McCormick Branch0.0
Wellington County Library - Aboyne Branch0.0
Wellington County Library - Elora Branch0.0
Wellington County Library - Fergus Branch0.0
Wellington County Library, Marden Branch0.0

Farmers Markets in Waterloo

NameAddressSeasonHoursOrganicWebsite
Kitchener Market
Martin's Maple Syrup
Rolling Acres
St. Jacobs Farmers' Market

Cafes in Waterloo

6 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Cafe Pyrus Outpost
iBoba
Mr. Puffs Dessert Bar
Noon Moment
Tim Hortons
Williams Coffee Pub

Clinics in Waterloo

3 clinics within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Spa Surgica MediSpa
True North Imaging
Waterloo Sports Medicine Centre

Dentists in Waterloo

5 dentists within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Bridgeport Weber Dental Centre
Dr. McCann (Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon)
Kuppers + Greene Orthodontics
Sante Family Dental
University Dental

Veterinaries in Waterloo

1 veterinaries within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Buck Animal Hospital

Train Stations in Waterloo

1 train stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Grand River Hospital

Gas Stations in Waterloo

1 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Petro-Canada

Banks in Waterloo

2 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

BMO
Kindred Credit Union

Gyms in Waterloo

2 gyms within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Anytime Fitness
The Bright Side Studio

Breweries in Waterloo

NameTypeAddressPhoneWebsite
Block Three Brewing Company
Fixed Gear Brewing Co.
Peel Street Beverage Company
Red Circle Brewing
Red Circle Brewing
Schooner Street Brewery
Schooner Street Brewery
Short Finger Brewing Company
Short Finger Brewing Company
Sparrow Brewing & Roasting Co.
Twas Now Brewing Inc.
Twas Now Brewing Inc.
TWB Co-operative Brewing
TWB Co-operative Brewing
Wellington Brewery

Stadiums & Teams in Waterloo

TeamLeagueDivision
Kitchener Memorial Auditorium

Ski Resorts Near Waterloo

2 ski resorts within range.

Resort Slopes (km) Lifts Peak (m) Price Season Night Park
Glen Eden 0.0 - - $0 - - -
Hockley Valley Resort 0.0 - - $0 - - -

Airports Near Waterloo

50 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Brampton-Caledon Airport-Medium Airport
Brantford Municipal Airport-Medium Airport
John C. Munro Hamilton International AirportYHMMedium Airport
London International AirportYXUMedium Airport
Region of Waterloo International AirportYKFMedium Airport
St Thomas Municipal AirportYQSMedium Airport
Alliston Airport-Small Airport
Arthur (Metz Field)-Small Airport
Arthur (Peskett Field)-Small Airport
Arthur South Airport-Small Airport
Atwood / Coghlin Airport-Small Airport
Beeton Field-Small Airport
Bellamy Airport-Small Airport
Belwood (Baird Field)-Small Airport
Belwood (Ellen Field)-Small Airport
Belwood (Wright Field) Aerodrome-Small Airport
Briggs Field-Small Airport
Brussels (Armstrong Field) Airport-Small Airport
Brussels / Hemingway Field-Small Airport
Burlington Executive Airpark-Small Airport
Cambridge / Reid's Field-Small Airport
Campbellville (Bellshill Airpark)-Small Airport
Cardwell Airfield-Small Airport
Cayuga Airport (Bruce Field)-Small Airport
Cayuga East Airport-Small Airport
Chapeskie Field Airport-Small Airport
Cherry Hill Field-Small Airport
Conestogo / Largo Woods Field-Small Airport
Conn Field-Small Airport
Cookstown / Tally-Ho Field-Small Airport
Courtland / Tillsonburg Flying Club Field-Small Airport
Damascus Field-Small Airport
Delhi Airport-Small Airport
Dundalk (Tripp Field) Aerodrome-Small Airport
Elmira (East) Airport-Small Airport
Elmira Airport-Small Airport
Elora Airport-Small Airport
Erin Northwest Airport-Small Airport
Ethel Airport-Small Airport
Fergus (Royland Field)-Small Airport
Flamboro Centre Airport-Small Airport
Fordwich Airport-Small Airport
Gamble Field-Small Airport
Grand River Executive Airport-Small Airport
Grand Valley (Black Field)-Small Airport
Grand Valley / Luther Field-Small Airport
Grand Valley North Airfield-Small Airport
Grand Valley/Martin Field-Small Airport
Guelph Airport-Small Airport
Hanover / Saugeen Municipal Airport-Small Airport

Post Offices in Waterloo

3 post offices.

Post OfficeAddress
Canada Post
Canada Post
The UPS Store

Treatment Centers in Waterloo

1 treatment centers.

CenterTypePhone
CBI Health Group

Churches & Religious Organizations in Waterloo

4 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Bethel Chapel
Lincoln Road Chapel
Saint John's Lutheran Church
Saint Louis Catholic Church

Download Full City Report

Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Waterloo.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Waterloo

What is the population of Waterloo?

Waterloo has a population of 121,436 residents and is located in Ontario. The population density is 4,910 people per square mile, spread across 24.7 square miles. The median age of residents is 36.0 years, which is younger than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 49.6% female and 50.4% male.

Is Waterloo expensive to live in?

The median household income is $94,000, 25% above the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $750,000 (166% above the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,400 per month, above the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 8x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.

Is Waterloo safe?

Property crime occurs at a rate of 66 per 100,000 (below the national average). Overall, Waterloo receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.

What is the weather like in Waterloo?

Waterloo has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winter temperatures average 23°F in January, while summers reach an average of 69°F in July. The area receives 238 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 34.4 inches, with 53.2 inches of snow.

How is the job market in Waterloo?

The job market in Waterloo faces challenges, with unemployment at 12.0% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $1,099. There are 400 business establishments in the area, including 195 restaurants and food service locations. The average commute time is 24 minutes, and 68.1% of workers work from home.

How much does housing cost in Waterloo?

The median home value in Waterloo is $750,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,400. The homeownership rate is 61.3%.

How are the schools in Waterloo?

26.1% of adults in Waterloo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 25.1% have completed high school. 15.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.

What is transportation like in Waterloo?

The average commute in Waterloo is 24 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 76.4% of workers drive alone to work, 6.5% use public transit, and 68.1% work from home.

What are the demographics of Waterloo?

The racial and ethnic makeup of Waterloo is 65% White, 3.1% Black or African American, 1.9% Hispanic or Latino, 24.1% Asian. 64.7% of residents speak only English at home.

Nearby Cities

Central, ON 12,650 pop · 0.3 mi Westmount, ON 4,010 pop · 1.0 mi Fairfield, ON 3,651 pop · 1.0 mi Willowdale, ON 8,130 pop · 1.0 mi Mount Hope Huron Park, ON 5,030 pop · 1.1 mi Dearborn, ON 1,605 pop · 1.4 mi Columbia, ON 13,635 pop · 1.5 mi Cherry Hill, ON 3,027 pop · 1.6 mi Centre District, ON 1,656 pop · 1.6 mi University Downs, ON 4,036 pop · 1.7 mi Beechwood, ON 8,925 pop · 1.7 mi Bridgeport West, ON 1,112 pop · 1.8 mi Victoria Hills, ON 10,533 pop · 1.8 mi City Commercial Core, ON 2,953 pop · 1.9 mi
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