Waterloo, Iowa
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Waterloo is the county seat of Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 68,747. It was the home of the Sullivan brothers, who were killed during World War II. It is the location of the Tractor Assembly Division & Product Engineering Center of Deere & Company. Waterloo is also the former location of Rath Packing. Due to its history of meatpacking the city is home to the National Cattle Congress.
Waterloo attracted a large African-American population because of meatpacking and other industries located in the city. In the 1980s Waterloo experienced some friction between the black community and the rest of the city. Many African-Americans in Waterloo reside on the east side of the city. In the 1990's a large influx of Bosnian war refugees were resettled by the federal government in Waterloo adding to racial tensions there. Around the same time, a new IBP packing plant attracted hundreds of Hispanics, adding to the racial equation.
Waterloo is home of the Waterloo Blackhawks, a team in the United States Hockey League which plays in Young Arena. It is also the home of the Waterloo Bucks, a summer collegiate league baseball team which plays in the Northwoods League. The team plays at Riverfront Stadium.
Waterloo was originally known as "Prairie Rapids Crossing". The town was built on top of a Native American village. The town is currently named after Waterloo, Belgium. The city's primary waterway is the Cedar River.
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Geography
Image:IAMap-doton-Waterloo.PNG Waterloo is located at 42°29'33" North, 92°20'46" West (42.492436, -92.346161)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 160.6 km² (62.0 mi²). 157.3 km² (60.7 mi²) of it is land and 3.3 km² (1.3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.06% water.
Transportation
Waterloo is located at the north end of Interstate 380. U.S. Highways 20, 63, and 218 and Iowa Highways 21, 57, 58, and 281 also run through the metropolitan area.
Metropolitan area
The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area consists of Black Hawk, Bremer, and Grundy counties. The area had a 2000 census population of 163,706 and a 2005 estimated population of 161,897. [1]
Waterloo is next to Cedar Falls, home to the University of Northern Iowa. Small suburbs include Evansdale, Elk Run Heights, and Hudson.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 68,747 people, 28,169 households, and 17,746 families residing in the city. The population density was 437.0/km² (1,131.9/mi²). There were 29,499 housing units at an average density of 187.5/km² (485.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.61% White, 13.86% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.85% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.44% from other races, and 1.97% from two or more races. 2.63% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 28,169 households out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.0% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,092, and the median income for a family was $42,731. Males had a median income of $31,491 versus $22,569 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,558. 13.7% of the population and 10.0% of families were below the poverty line. 18.6% of those under the age of 18 and 10.5% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Government
Waterloo is administered by a seven-member city council and a mayor. One council member is elected from each of Waterloo's five wards and two are elected at-large. The current mayor is Timothy J. Hurley, his predecessor was John Rooff.
Education
Hawkeye Community College is located in Waterloo. Neighboring Cedar Falls is home to the University of Northern Iowa.
One of two public high schools in the city is Waterloo West High School. Its school mascot is the Wahawk, a contraction of Waterloo and Black Hawk (the city and county names), and its colors are old rose and black. Its most famous alumnus is former amateur wrestler and coach Dan Gable. Its current principal is Dr. Gail Moon. [2] The other public high school is Waterloo East High School. Its athletic teams are called the Trojans and the school colors are orange and black. Mary Meier is the current principal. [3] Waterloo's private high schools include Columbus Catholic and Walnut Ridge Baptist High Schools.
Notable natives
- Dan Gable, Olympic champion wrestler and collegiate coach
- Lou Henry Hoover, First Lady 1929-1933
- J.J. Moses, wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals
- Don Perkins, running back for the Dallas Cowboys
- Reggie Roby, punter for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes and Miami Dolphins
- Tracie Spencer, singer
- John L. Simmons, director of bargaining for SEIU Local 1000, the largest Union of California state employees
- Gary Forney, singer/songwriter/actor [4]
- Darren Sproles, running back for the San Diego Chargers
- David Barrett, cornerback for the New York Jets
- The Sullivan brothers, five sons who died together on the USS Juneau during World War II. Their story was part of the inspiration for the movie Saving Private Ryan, who also hailed from Iowa in the film.
External links
- Waterloo - Cedar Falls Courier
- City of Waterloo, Iowa
- Waterloo Public Library
- Waterloo Chamber of Commerce
- KWWL TV-7
