Waterloo, IA Demographics

A map of Waterloo's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	43,880	44,321	65.5%	65.8%
Black	11,004	12,031	16.4%	17.9%
Hispanic	5,616	4,793	8.4%	7.1%
Multiracial	3,259	3,078	4.9%	4.6%
Asian	2,125	2,016	3.2%	3.0%
Native American/Other	1,124	1,075	1.7%	1.6%

Waterloo, Iowa has an estimated population of 67,008, a less than 1% change from the 67,314 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 65.5% White, 16.4% Black, 8.4% Hispanic, 4.9% Multiracial, 3.2% Asian, and 1.7% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Waterloo, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Waterloo has become slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Iowa overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Waterloo, that probability was 52.6% in 2020 and 53.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Waterloo is ranked the 9th most populous place in Iowa, out of 1,026 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Waterloo was ranked the 8th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Waterloo's White Population

43,880 residents of Waterloo, or 65.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Waterloo is significantly lower than in Iowa overall, where 82.3% of the population is White. Waterloo ranks 1009th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Waterloo's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Waterloo's population has remained roughly unchanged at 65.5%.

Waterloo is less White than neighboring Evansdale (88.8% White), Cedar Falls (90.6% White), Elk Run Heights (88.6% White), Washburn (89.9% White), and Hudson (92.1% White).

Waterloo's Black Population

11,004 residents of Waterloo, or 16.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Waterloo is considerably higher than in Iowa overall, where 3.8% of the population is Black. Waterloo ranks 1st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Waterloo's Black population has declined by an estimated 8.5%. Black residents' share of Waterloo's population has decreased from 17.9% to 16.4%.

Waterloo is more Black than neighboring Evansdale (5.6% Black), Cedar Falls (1.4% Black), Elk Run Heights (0.3% Black), Washburn (1.5% Black), and Hudson (1.6% Black).

Waterloo's Asian Population

2,125 residents of Waterloo, or 3.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Waterloo is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 2.5% of the population is Asian. Waterloo ranks 41st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Waterloo's Asian population has grown by an estimated 5.4%. Asian residents' share of Waterloo's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.2%.

Waterloo is more Asian than neighboring Evansdale (0% Asian), Elk Run Heights (0.5% Asian), Washburn (0% Asian), and Hudson (1.4% Asian).

Waterloo's Hispanic Population

5,616 residents of Waterloo, or 8.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Waterloo is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 7.3% of the population is Hispanic. Waterloo ranks 136th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Waterloo's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 17.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Waterloo's population has increased from 7.1% to 8.4%.

Waterloo is more Hispanic than neighboring Evansdale (0.9% Hispanic), Cedar Falls (2.2% Hispanic), Elk Run Heights (5.1% Hispanic), Washburn (1.5% Hispanic), and Hudson (2.7% Hispanic).

Waterloo's Native American/Other Population

1,124 residents of Waterloo, or 1.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Waterloo is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Waterloo ranks 75th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Waterloo's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 4.6%. Native American/Other residents' share of Waterloo's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.7%.

Waterloo is more Native American/Other than neighboring Evansdale (0% Native American/Other), Cedar Falls (0.1% Native American/Other), Elk Run Heights (0% Native American/Other), Washburn (0% Native American/Other), and Hudson (0% Native American/Other).

Waterloo's Multiracial Population

3,259 residents of Waterloo, or 4.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Waterloo is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 3.5% of the population is Multiracial. Waterloo ranks 156th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Waterloo's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 5.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Waterloo's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.9%.

Waterloo is more Multiracial than neighboring Evansdale (4.8% Multiracial), Cedar Falls (2.6% Multiracial), and Hudson (2.1% Multiracial). Waterloo is less Multiracial than neighboring Elk Run Heights (5.5% Multiracial), and Washburn (7% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.