Evansdale residents enjoy life in a small city near Waterloo
About 4,500 people live in Evansdale, a bedroom community about 5 miles from the heart of Waterloo . While residents travel to the bigger city for education, healthcare and big-box stores like Walmart, there is plenty to do in their hometown. Options for outdoor recreation include several city parks and the Cedar Valley Nature Trail trailhead, and local restaurants draw in a small crowd. Evansdale’s location along Interstate 380 and U.S. Route 20 also means it's convenient to get to major cities like Des Moines , about 130 miles away.
Old and new ranch-style homes are common in the area
Oak trees dot Evansdale’s grassy lawns, which reach the edge of broad streets. Most lots are between an eighth and a half of an acre. Older properties include cottage styles from the early 20th century and several mid-20th-century split-levels and bi-levels. However, the most common are ranch-style houses built anywhere from the 1920s to the 2020s. “Housing in general is slightly cheaper,” says Abbie Chronister, library assistant at the Evansdale Public Library. Home prices in Evansdale trend lower than the rest of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metro area. Older homes range from $110,000 to $280,000, while newer ones cost $280,000 to $460,000. Investment properties have sold for as little as $20,000.
Students will attend the new Waterloo high school starting in 2028
Evansdale is in the Waterloo Community School District, which has open enrollment. Poyner Elementary and Bunger Middle schools receive a C from Niche, and East High earns a C-plus. The district is building a new high school that will open in fall 2028 and will serve 10th through 12th graders. Eighth and ninth graders will still attend East and West high schools. Academic programs currently offered at the two high schools and the Waterloo Career Center will be available on one campus.
Evansdale is mostly a car-dependent community along major highways
While most residents take cars to get around, Chronister says she often sees people walking or driving their golf carts. U.S. Route 20 and Interstate 380 go through the area; the latter is a direct path to Cedar Rapids , about 50 miles away. At about a 10-mile drive, Waterloo Regional Airport is the closest airport and has daily flights to Chicago . For more nonstop flight options, locals will travel to larger cities. “Cedar Rapids is the next closest, but within a two-hour drive, you’ve got Rochester, you’ve got Des Moines,” Chronister says. “There are a number of different airports. It just depends on how far you’re willing to drive and the cost of the flight.” MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center is about 5 miles away.
Local businesses are a short drive from big-box stores in Waterloo
Evansdale has a handful of local businesses, including Evans Crossing Pharmacy. Lofty’s Lounge is a local bar and grill, and Chronister recommends East China King, a Chinese restaurant. Another popular option is Other Place, a Midwest pizza chain. Residents get fresh produce from the Evansdale Farmers Market on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings from May through October and buy the rest of their groceries from Fareway. Walmart and other big-box stores are about 5 miles away, in Waterloo. “The main stretch of fast food and the Sam’s Club, Hy-Vee and all that is about 10 minutes away,” Chronister says.
Community parks access the Cedar River and Cedar Valley Nature Trail
The Cedar River winds around Evansdale. “The river kind of hides behind a tree line, so if you’re just driving by, it’s not always easy to see unless you’re on the highway,” Chronister says. One place with views of the river is Deerwood Park, which has a boat and kayak launch. There are also playgrounds, campgrounds and an 18-hole disc golf course. There are several other parks scattered throughout the city. Anglers fish at Meyers Lake in Angels Park, where popular catches include carp and crappie. Phil Muehl Skate Park is off the Cedar Valley Nature Trail, a 63-mile, multiuse trail from Evansdale to Hiawatha. At the Evansdale Public Library, events include game nights and book clubs. “We try to do about four or five programs a month, a mix of things for adults and for kids,” Chronister says.
Evansdale Days is an annual celebration
Evansdale Days is a celebration of community that happens every fall. The event starts with a parade and has live music, a beer garden, and kid-friendly games and activities. There is also a bags tournament, and one of the local churches, Prince of Peace, hosts the Legends Car Show and a craft and quilt show. The festivities end with fireworks. Evansdale also puts on an annual city-wide garage sale at the end of May.
