Waterloo, IA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions: Waterloo, IA Crime & Safety

Is Waterloo, IA safe to live in?

By the numbers, Waterloo earns an overall crime grade of B- and a city-wide safety rating of B (Safe) — a solid result for a Midwestern city of 115,266 residents. Of the 32 neighborhoods analyzed, 46.9% earned an A grade and 40.6% earned a B grade, meaning 88% of Waterloo neighborhoods fall into the "safe" category. Crucially, zero neighborhoods received a D or F grade, which sets Waterloo apart from many comparably sized cities. The safest pockets — Cedar Knoll (A+), Southdale (A+), and Alabar Hills (A) — consistently show the strongest safety profiles, while even the highest-crime area analyzed, Franklin Gateway, sits at only a C+.

What is the crime rate in Waterloo, Iowa?

Rather than a single raw number, Waterloo's crime picture is best understood through its grade distribution. Across 32 analyzed neighborhoods, the breakdown looks like this: 15 neighborhoods (46.9%) hold an A grade, 13 neighborhoods (40.6%) hold a B grade, and 4 neighborhoods (12.5%) hold a C grade. No neighborhood grades out at D or F. Areas like Franklin Gateway (C+), Unity (B-), Good Shepherd (B-), Church Row (B-), and Cedar River (B-) represent the higher-crime end of the spectrum — yet even these sit well above the lowest tiers. For context, Waterloo's poverty rate of 17.5% and unemployment rate of 6.7% are economic factors that researchers commonly associate with elevated property crime, making the city's predominantly B-and-above grade distribution all the more notable.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Waterloo, IA?

Ten neighborhoods stand out at the top of Waterloo's safety rankings:

• Cedar Knoll — A+: Median household income of $65,104; among the city's highest-rated areas.
• Southdale — A+: Also at $65,104 median income; ties Cedar Knoll for the top spot.
• Alabar Hills — A: Population of 466 with a $67,107 median income.
• Liberty Park — A: One of the larger safe neighborhoods at 2,746 residents and a $69,021 median income.
• Audubon — A: Highest median income among the top ten at $74,395.
• Park Haven — A: 1,140 residents; $56,804 median income.
• Edison — A: 799 residents; $48,190 median income — demonstrating that safety grades above A are achievable even in more modest-income areas.
• Neighbors Who Care — A: 1,074 residents; $57,948 median income.
• West Central — A: 948 residents; $45,613 median income.
• Ridgeway Towers — A: 301 residents; $68,333 median income.

A clear pattern emerges: neighborhoods graded A tend to have median incomes above $45,000, though Edison and West Central show that strong community safety can exist across a range of income levels.

Which Waterloo neighborhoods have higher crime levels?

Five neighborhoods grade out at the higher end of Waterloo's crime spectrum, though it's worth emphasizing that none reach a D or F: Franklin Gateway (C+) is the only neighborhood outside the B range, making it the area with the most elevated crime profile in the city. The remaining four — Unity, Good Shepherd, Church Row, and Cedar River — all carry a B- grade, placing them just below the city median but still within the broadly "safe" classification. Together, these five areas represent just 12.5% of analyzed neighborhoods rated C, with the other 87.5% holding B or better. Residents in or near these neighborhoods may want to pay closer attention to property security and stay connected with local community watch programs.

Is Waterloo a good place to live in 2026?

For prospective residents weighing the data, Waterloo offers a compelling affordability-to-safety ratio. The median home value sits at $117,050 and median rent at $776/month — well below national averages — while 88% of neighborhoods grade B or higher for safety. The median household income of $46,942 is supplemented by a housing market that leaves more disposable income than in higher-cost metros. Challenges exist: a 17.5% poverty rate and 6.7% unemployment rate are above national norms and correlate with the modest C-grade presence in areas like Franklin Gateway. Still, with nearly half the city's neighborhoods earning an A and no neighborhood falling below a C+, Waterloo's safety profile in 2026 compares favorably within Iowa and the broader Midwest for a city of its size and demographic makeup.

How does Waterloo's neighborhood safety vary by income level?

The data reveals a meaningful — though not absolute — relationship between neighborhood income and safety grades. The top-rated neighborhoods (A+ through A) have median incomes ranging from $45,613 (West Central) to $74,395 (Audubon), suggesting that even middle-income neighborhoods can achieve top safety grades. Meanwhile, the five higher-crime neighborhoods (C+ to B-) tend to fall below the city's median household income of $46,942. Franklin Gateway, the sole C+ neighborhood, sits at the intersection of lower income and higher crime density — a pattern consistent with national research. However, Edison (A grade, $48,190 median income) and West Central (A grade, $45,613) demonstrate that proactive community engagement and neighborhood cohesion can produce strong safety outcomes independent of income alone.