Waterloo, WI

Wisconsin

Waterloo is a small town in Wisconsin with a population of 3,542. Residents earn $78,103 per year, which is 4% above the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
3,542 Population 935/sq mi density
$78,103 Median Income $37,379 per capita
$219,100 Home Value $307,061 Zillow
$974 Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
119 Violent Crime/100K 1,309 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$78,103 median income, 0.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$219,100 home value, $974/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
119 violent crimes/100K (69% below avg)
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $78,103
4% higher than US avg
Home Value $219,100
22% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 119/100K
69% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.9%
29% lower than US avg
Median Rent $974
16% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.0%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.5%
86% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 20.2%
63% higher than US avg

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

People

Population3,542
Median Age38.3 yrs
Density935/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 81%

Economy

B+
Median Income$78,103
Per Capita$37,379
Unemployment0.5%
Poverty20.2%
County GDP$4,923M
Commute29 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$219,100
Rent$974
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$307,061

Crime

F
Violent119/100K
Property1,309/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary89/100K

Health

Obesity42.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.3%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain38.5 in/yr
Elevation812 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.9%
High School+90.4%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 58% / D 41%
Commute29 min
Libraries7

Is Waterloo a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Waterloo receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, high obesity rates. Waterloo offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Waterloo is $78,103, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.5%. The poverty rate of 20.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Waterloo is $219,100, 22% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $974 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Waterloo is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 119 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,309 per 100,000, 33% below the national average.

Education

23.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.4% 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 47°F. Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Waterloo has a population of 3,542 with a density of 935 people per square mile. The median age is 38.3 years, 2% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (81.1%), with 2.1% Hispanic.

Population

3,542
Total Population
935
People / sq mi
38.3yrs
Median Age
2% below US avg
3.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.3%
Female 50.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Waterloo vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.4%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.6%
73% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Waterloo vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Waterloo is $78,103, which is 4% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 20.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Waterloo vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$78,103
4% above US avg
Per Capita Income$37,379
Avg Weekly Wage$1,042
IRS Avg AGI$75,650

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.5%
86% below US avg
Poverty Rate20.2%
63% above US avg
Establishments (County)2,344
County GDP$4,923M

Business (County)

Restaurants201
Healthcare218
Retail277
Manufacturing139

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,930
69% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.71%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.7 min
Work from Home14.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Waterloo is $219,100, 22% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $974 (16% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $307,061.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$219,100
22% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$307,061

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$974
16% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$797
1 Bedroom$872
2 Bedrooms$1,097
3 Bedrooms$1,405
4 Bedrooms$1,572

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied65.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,930
69% above US avg
Effective Rate2.71%
In Waterloo, 42.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.3% report depression. 28.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.0%
31% above US avg
Diabetes9.5%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure27.8%
Asthma10.9%
COPD5.7%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.4%
Physical Inactivity28.9%
Depression23.3%
Mental Distress16.6%
Physical Distress12.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.5%
Checkup Rate73.8%
Premature Death7,008/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.2/10
Exercise Access74.9%
Healthcare Facilities218
Waterloo has a violent crime rate of 119 per 100,000 residents, 69% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,309 per 100,000 (33% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent119.0/100K
69% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape119.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,309.1/100K
33% below US avg
Burglary89.3/100K
Theft1,219.9/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Waterloo has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average46.7°F
14% below US avg
January Average19°F (-7°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.5 inches
1% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation812 ft (247 m)
Area3.8 sq mi (9.8 km²)
Population Density935/sq mi
Coordinates43.1835°N, 88.9900°W
County FIPS55055
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 23.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (29% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 16.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 57.5%
D 41.1%

Winner: Republican by 16.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+23.9%
29% below US avg
High School+90.4%
School Test Score5.81
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density935/sq mi
Total Area3.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities218
Restaurants201
Retail Stores277

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.7 min
Work from Home14.1%

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