Waterloo’s Cedar River neighborhood sits on the banks of its namesake water source, originally platted as summer cottages in the 1890s. A walk through the neighborhood offers reminders of this history — Victorian-style homes still sit atop trimmed green lawns — though light industry, social services and local businesses are now a part of the landscape. Homes here are primed for restoration and renovation, conveniently located a half mile from eastside parks and dining in downtown Waterloo. The urban core has seen more than $130 million of private investment in the past 10 years, reflected in the area’s housing trends. “As a whole, people are going back to the core, all across the country; That’s also happened around here quite a bit,” says Jared Hottle, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices who has lived in Waterloo most of his life.
Walking to downtown Waterloo dining
Downtown’s 4th Street is lined with popular local restaurants and bars, including the Screaming Eagle, a biker-themed bar and grill with television screens and a stage for live music. For brunch, lines form outside of Morg’s, a retro diner, and Newton’s Paradise Café, known for homemade sweet potato chips. Within Cedar River, La Michoacana is a casual stop for Mexican staples that operates a market with a meat counter next door. Access to fresh groceries has been historically limited, though community members in nearby Walnut recently opened All-In Grocers, which not only operates a store, but hosts a community center offering after-school programs and reentry assistance to formerly incarcerated locals. It is Waterloo’s first new grocery store in 50 years.
Newton's Paradise Cafe is a staple by the Cedar River neighborhood.
Michoacana restaurant bring traditional Mexican flavors to Cedar River.
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Investing in Cedar River's historic homes
The neighborhood has Victorians, American Foursquares and Craftsman bungalows dating back to the turn of the 20th century. Hottle says most people in the area are renters, often young professionals looking for walkability to downtown amenities. As a result, most of his clients in Cedar River are investors. “People are always looking for opportunity,” Hottle says. “There’s lots of history here — downtown Waterloo is on the National Register of Historic Places — and there’s historic rehab happening on those properties.” Homes here tend to require a bit of investment and elbow grease before move in, though a few newer builds popped up in the 2010s. Historic homes typically sell between $40,000 and $90,000, while newer construction and multi-family properties can range between $100 and $200,000. Though close to downtown, the area is predominantly residential, with narrow sidewalks cutting through modest, but grassy front lawns.
Cedar River has affordable Victorian homes in the neighborhood.
Traditional American architecture homes are typical in Cedar River.
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Cedar River organizations provide housing assistance
Housing insecurity is a pressing concern throughout downtown Waterloo, an issue that several Cedar River organizations strive to alleviate. Cedar Valley Hospitality House offers food, clothing and a place to spend the day, while Catholic Worker provides overnight shelter and hot meals. Nearby Center of Attention organizes transitional housing for women and hosts family-friendly events, including a Summer Kick Off with live music and food, a bounce house and free haircuts for kids.
Cedar River offers traditional American architectural housing in Waterloo.
Cedar River also displays modern design constructions.
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Cedar Valley Lakes Trail runs through the neighborhood
Parkland is limited in Cedar River, though nearby Lafayette Park has a playground, basketball and tennis courts, a paved walking and cycling path and open green space for many kinds of play. Annual events often take place at Lincoln Park, a heavily shaded meeting place a half mile from most homes. Along the river’s edge, residents can hop on the Cedar Valley Lakes Trail, a 16-mile concrete and asphalt trail running through downtown Waterloo and up to Black Hawk Park in Cedar Falls. The path offers varied views of Waterloo’s urban core, the Cedar River, and the lakes of George Wyth State Park. Conveniently, the trail is outfitted with self-service bicycle repair stations along the way.
Cedar River locals love their Cedar Valley Trails.
Cedar River locals flock to the George Wyth State Park lakes.
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Celebrating the city at My Waterloo Days
Downtown Waterloo has a full calendar of year-round events, including My Waterloo Days, started more than 40 years ago. This celebration of the city includes a parade of more than 100 entrants and a weekend of live music, street fairs and kids’ activities at Lincoln Park.
Cedar River residents can catch live concerts by the RiverLoop Amphitheater.
Cedar River locals attend open air concerts by the RiverLoop Amphitheater.
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UNI Center for Urban Education serves all ages
Kids attend Lowell Elementary, then Central Middle, which both have a C-minus from Niche. Teens cross the river to attend West High, despite East High’s proximity. The high school has a B-minus from Niche and offers career academies in engineering, health services and the arts.
Within the neighborhood, the University of Northern Iowa’s Center for Urban Education offers summer classes, tutoring and college preparatory sessions for local youth, as well as continuing education classes for adults. The center was founded in 1968 to expand educational opportunities for Black, low-income residents in downtown Waterloo.
University of Northern Iowa is great institution close to Cedar River.
West High School provides an excellent curriculum to Cedar River students.
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Pedestrian access on the 6th Street bridge
Sidewalks connect Cedar River’s homes to downtown destinations a half mile away. The 6th Street bridge offers pedestrian access to the Phelps Youth Pavilion, Waterloo Public Library and other attractions and restaurants across the river. The Metropolitan Transit Authority operates bus routes 4, 5L and 5W11 within the neighborhood.
Written By
Kayla Solsbak
Photography Contributed By
Eduardo Ford
Video By
Francisco de la Vera
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
600
Median Age
33
Population Density
9 ppl/acre
Population under 18
29.8%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$41,250
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$49,622
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
70%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
21.8%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
14.2%
% Population in Labor Force
72.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
36''
Average Winter Low Temperature
11°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
24''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
75/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
56/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
35/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
