Located on the banks of the Cedar River in northeastern Iowa, Waterloo was once known as "Prairie Rapids Crossing." It has grown into a diverse and thriving community and maintains a strong connection to its roots as an agricultural community. Waterloo apartments for rent are a popular choice for families looking for a city with a small-town vibe that also boasts the culture and sophistication of a much larger metropolis. A strong local economy that includes numerous nationally recognized employers has contributed to the popularity of this city. Almost 70,000 people call Waterloo home.
It's easy to take advantage of sports and recreation activities from Waterloo rentals. Almost 100 miles of paved recreation trails are located within Waterloo's city limits. Golf, canoeing and kayaking are also popular activities in the community.
Waterloo also features a thriving arts scene, and the Waterloo Center for the Arts is home to community events, diverse exhibitions on display in the museum and an amphitheatre. The Black Hawk Children's Theatre and Waterloo Community Playhouse bring nationally recognized theater productions to the Waterloo community through live performances that take place throughout the year. Residents can head over to the Waterloo Isle Casino and Hotel to try their luck at slots, table games and poker. The casino is also known for its world-class dining and live entertainment.
Waterloo's business community is one of its biggest assets. The Waterloo workforce is highly educated, with almost 99 percent of residents holding a high school degree or higher. Major employers in Waterloo include John Deere, Tyson, GMAC, Hawkeye Community College and the city of Waterloo. In the past five years, more than 1 million square feet of new industrial and office space valued at nearly $100 million has been added to the city.
Waterloo students in grades K-12 are served by the Waterloo Community School District. The main campus of Hawkeye Community College is located just outside of Waterloo. The college offers numerous degree, certificate and vocational training programs. Wartburg College, located just outside of Waterloo in Waverly, is a private four-year college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Rapids and is a state-supported university that is made up of approximately 13,000 students.
Affordable housing is plentiful in Waterloo, and the median selling price of a single-family home is well below the national average. The Waterloo Housing Authority promotes public housing programs and helps low-income families with rental payments for safe and sanitary housing. According to city-data.com, the median gross rent in 2009 for Waterloo rentals was $589.
Many of Waterloo's attractions reflect its history as an agricultural community. The Grout Museum of History and Science features a history collection that dates from 1833 to the present, and includes items such as the Maytag Car and the Rath Packing Company whistle. The John Deere Tractor Assembly Tour is another community landmark, and guests can watch a tractor as it is built from start to finish.
The Phelps Youth Pavillion is a family-oriented museum that features more than 40 hands-on exhibits that relate to art and culture. Located at the Waterloo Center for the Arts, the pavillion allows visitors to engage in activities such as milking a cow or driving a tractor.
The National Cattle Congress has been a popular feature of the Waterloo community since 1910. While visiting the dairy show, guests can walk through barns to visit friendly farm animals or view historic farm machinery on display. Entertainment includes live music performances, baking competitions and carnival rides.
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