As of the census of 2000, there were 68,747 people, 28,169 households, and 17,746 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,131.9 people per square mile (437.0/km²). There were 29,499 housing units at an average density of 485.7/sq mi (187.5/km²). 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. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.63% of the population.
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. About 10.0% of families and 13.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.6% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.
Waterloo is located at the north end of Interstate 380. U.S. Highways 20, 63, and 218 and Iowa Highway 21, also run through the metropolitan area. The Avenue of the Saints runs through Waterloo.
Northwest Airlines provides non-stop air service to and from Minneapolis/St. Paul from the Waterloo Regional Airport.
Waterloo is served by a moderately extensive metropolitan bus system (MET). MET serves most areas of Cedar Falls and Waterloo. Most routes meet at the central bus station in downtown Waterloo. The system operates Monday - Saturday. During the week the earliest bus is at 5:45am from downtown Waterloo and the last bus arriving downtown at 6:40pm. Service is more limited on Saturdays. http://www.mettransit.org/
Waterloo is served by one daily intercity bus arrival and departure to Chicago and Des Moines. Service is provided by Burlington Trailways. http://www.burlingtontrailways.com/ New service to/from Iowa City, Mason City and the Twin Cities provided by Jefferson Lines is expected to begin in the Fall of 2008.
There are currently three taxi operators in Waterloo and Cedar Falls. The newest entrant to the market is First Call Taxi (319.233.TAXI). The other two firms are Metro Taxi (319.234.TAXI) and Yellow.
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 2006 estimated population of 162,263.
Waterloo is next to Cedar Falls, home to the University of Northern Iowa. Small suburbs include Evansdale, Hudson, Raymond and Elk Run Heights.
The largest employers in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls MSA, according to the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance, as of October 2006 include (in order): John Deere, Covenant Medical Center, Tyson Fresh Meats, the University of Northern Iowa, Allen Hospital, Waterloo Community Schools, Omega Cabinets and Bertch Cabinets. The complete list can be found at: http://www.cvedc.com/index_facts.html