RANK #383 / 996 · POP 131,041 · IA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.2%
Black Hawk County, Iowa, is distinguished by the Cedar River, which flows through its center and shapes a landscape of level floodplains and integrated drainage networks. Located in northeastern Iowa, the county seat of Waterloo is approximately an hour and a half drive northeast of Des Moines. The community offers a blend of urban amenities, particularly in its larger cities of Waterloo and Cedar Falls, alongside accessible natural spaces. Commute times are generally short, averaging around 15.9 minutes. The county also maintains over 9,000 acres of public land, including parks, wetlands, and an extensive trail system for biking, birdwatching, and kayaking.
Life in Black Hawk County balances urban convenience with Midwestern character. The area attracts families and young professionals, supported by above-average public schools and institutions like the University of Northern Iowa. The economy is diverse, with a workforce employed across sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, and retail. Recent economic developments in the county have focused on attracting investment in various industries, including advanced manufacturing and logistics.
Contracting economy
Harsh climate or flat terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.0x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Electrifarm Natural Gas Plant
MidAmerican Energy Co.
|
$264M | Operating |
|
Audubon Heights Master-Planned Community
Skogman Homes
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Tyson Fresh Meats Pork Processing Plant
Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc.
|
— | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Black Hawk County has a Boom Town Index score of 62/100, ranking #383 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -1.6% and a median household income of $62,329, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Black Hawk County is $172,500 with median rent at $932/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3613, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.3% year-over-year. Job growth: -1.6%. Home values changed +2.7% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.46% of Black Hawk County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.