Waterloo, IA—50702
Real Estate Data & Market Trends
Key Metrics at a Glance
Home Price Trends — Waterloo, IA
As of Oct '25, the median home price in Waterloo, IA is $149,000, with a year-over-year change of 3.4%. This indicates that home prices in Waterloo, IA are increasing. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is 0.9%, suggesting a relatively flat housing market in the next year.
Cost per Home Type
| Home Type | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
All Homes | $149,000 | 3.4% |
| Single Family | $155,000 | 4.0% |
| Condos | $87,000 | 4.8% |
Cost per Home Size
| Home Size | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
1 Bed | $63,000 | 0.0% |
2 Bed | $120,000 | 2.6% |
3 Bed | $171,000 | 3.6% |
4 Bed | $197,000 | 3.7% |
| 5 Bed | N/A | N/A |
% of Housing Stock
Rental Trends — Waterloo, IA
As of July '25, Rentcast reports the average rent in Waterloo, IA is $948, with a year-over-year rent change of 1.9%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in Waterloo, IA is 1-bedrooms: $669, 2-bedrooms: $888, 3-bedrooms: $1,510, 4-bedrooms: $1,500. The most common rental property sizes in Waterloo, IA are 2-bedroom and 1-bedroom, accounting for 53.2% and 21.1% of the rental stock.
| Type | Median Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $855 | $948 |
| Studio Rent | N/A | N/A |
| 1 Bed Rent | $675 | $669 |
| 2 Bed Rent | $855 | $888 |
| 3 Bed Rent | $1,280 | $1,510 |
| 4 Bed Rent | $1,500 | $1,500 |
% of Rental Stock
Property Listings — Waterloo, IA
As of Oct '25, Realtor.com reports that the median days on market for a home in Waterloo, IA is 36. This is a decrease of -16.0% from last year, suggesting that homes are sitting on the market shorter than last year. The percentage of listed homes with a reduced price is 29.0%, representing a large inventory and a lot of supply pressure on home prices.
| Metric | Zip Code Average | Year over Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
Median Listing Price | $170,000 | 2.0% |
Listing Count | 76 | 33.0% |
| Listings as % of Homes | 0.4% | 33.0% |
Days on Market | 36 | -16.0% |
Demographics — Waterloo, IA
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Waterloo, IA has a population of 21,200, which has increased by 9.8% over the past 5 years. Waterloo, IA is a popular place for families, as children make up 25.1% of the population. The area has a poorly educated workforce, with 21.2% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are few residents working remotely, with 6.6% reporting working from home.
| Metric | Latest Census | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
Population | 21,200 | 9.8% |
% Under 18 | 25.1% | 11.6% |
% Seniors | 15.4% | -1.9% |
% WFH | 6.6% | 144.4% |
% w/ College Degree | 21.2% | -2.8% |
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Waterloo, IA is a predominantly white area, with 67.8% of the population identifying as white. The white population has shrunk by 14.8% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in Waterloo, IA is black, making up 14.2% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 14.6% of the population in Waterloo, IA, and this percentage has increased by 18.7% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting more immigrants are calling the area home.
Race and Ethnicity
| Metric | Latest Census | 5-Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
% White | 67.8% | -14.8% |
% Black | 14.2% | 59.6% |
% Hispanic | 9.0% | 40.6% |
% Asian | 2.8% | 7.7% |
% Foreign Born | 14.6% | 18.7% |
Mortgage and Risk — Waterloo, IA
According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 518 mortgage originations in Waterloo, IA, of which 93.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 55.0%, with 21.0% above 90% LTV (very high). This implies large mortgage risk in Waterloo, IA. Investor activity is low, as 3.0% of loans were by investors. 5.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting few homeowners are tapping equity.
Mortgages
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
Total Loan Originations | 518 |
% Conventional Loans | 93.0% |
% Government Loans | 7.0% |
% Investor Loans | 3.0% |
% Second Loans | 0.0% |
% Cash Out Refinance | 5.0% |
Loan Activity
Rentals and Section 8 — Waterloo, IA
As of 2024, the percent of homes in Waterloo, IA under the Section 8 program is 13.0%. This is considered low, suggesting that the neighborhood is sparsely composed of Section 8 homes. Section 8 opportunity is good when HUD pays more than market rent. 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom and 4-bedroom units appear to be good home sizes to consider for Section 8 housing in Waterloo, IA, because HUD payments exceed market rent, while 3-bedroom units do not.
Section 8 Market Size
Total Units under HUD | 470 |
Total Units Section 8 | 470 |
% Rentals under Section 8 | 13.0% |
% Occupied Section 8 | 90.8% |
Section 8 Opportunity
| Home Size | HUD Premium | Market Rent | Max HUD Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $75 | $675 | $750 |
| 2 Bedroom | $125 | $855 | $980 |
| 3 Bedroom | $0 | $1,280 | $1,280 |
| 4 Bedroom | $150 | $1,500 | $1,650 |
Affordability — Waterloo, IA
Home Price to Income Ratio
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
| Home Price to Income Ratio | 2.2 |
| Median Home Price | $149,000 |
| Median Household Income | $59,800 |