Waterloo
RANK #100 / 996 NAT · #2 / 11 IA · POP 131,041
1YR FORECAST: +1.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +36%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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 ranks #100 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 90/100. The composite score reflects long-term strength — housing, income, and migration patterns — but near-term hiring is soft (employment is down 1.6% year-over-year). Median household income here is $62,329.
By national standards, Black Hawk County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $172,500, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.36 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $932/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Black Hawk County's job market is contracting (-1.6% YoY) while population is roughly stable (-0.3% change). Home values are +2.7% over the past 12 months. Hiring headwinds without an offsetting exodus — residents are staying, but local employers are shedding payroll.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.46% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Black Hawk County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.