The Highland Historic District is the oldest neighborhood in Waterloo. Simply known as Highland by locals, this highly sought-after community “offers something for everyone,” says Justin Finn, relator with Four Seasons Realtors LLC and lifelong Waterloo resident. Finn says Highland is really popular with a "wide demographic of people" because of housing diversity. “It’s a weird neighborhood because they have a lot of small houses, but they also have these older mansions. There’s a lot of character.” Offering longstanding homes in a central location, Highland stands out from other communities in the Cedar Valley.
Dutch colonials are well represented in Highland.
Homes in Highland sit on tree lined streets, with access to modern amenities.
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Highland Square Park and Highland Park
With tall, established trees, Highland Square Park is the neighborhood centerpiece, featuring a playscape, picnic tables and open field spaceh. At the neighborhood's north end, Highland Park features a playscape and basketball court. This park also offers larger, covered picnic tables and more field space, so it’s the more popular option for large gatherings.
Highland locals tend to their growing produce at the Highland Park community garden.
Highland Square Park has colorful flowers at it's entrance.
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All in Grocers and dining along 4th St
When All in Grocers opened in 2023, it ended a decades-long food drought that plagued Eastside Waterloo. Located just a mile-and-a-half west of Highland, the store is now the go-to for grocery needs. Residents can also drive about 4 miles south to shop at big-box stores like Walmart, Aldi and Sam’s Club.
From sweet treats at Rockets Bakery to authentic Mexican cuisine at El Patron Family Mexican, places to eat are plentiful along East 4th Street. Just a mile west of Highland, El Patron is known for its bright, festive interior and casual setting.
Highland residents can get groceries at Fareway.
Enjoy the outdoor seating at El Patron, located west of Highland.
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A broad mix of historic home styles
One of the most unique things about Highland is the architecture. While there are a few minimal traditional homes that are under 1,000 square feet, most properties are around 2,000 square feet. Dutch Colonial, Tudor Revival, Prairie, Foursquare, Colonial Revival and Neo-classical homes are just a few styles that line the streets. No two homes in Highland are identical, with some showcasing brick exteriors, others stone, some stucco and even wood. Famous architects, like Mortimer Cleveland, played a role in creating the Highland of today.
Prices range from $70,000 for an 850-square-foot home to $240,000 for a 3,000-square-foot historic property. Inventory is very low as homes hardly hit the market. Once they go up, they sell in about 5 days. The US average is 43 days.
In Highland, there are brick Colonial Revival homes with spacious yards.
Among the variety of home types in Highland, are unique Prairie style homes.
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Highland Elementary, George Washington Academy and Waterloo East High
Kids start at the C-rated Highland Elementary before moving on to George Washington Carver Academy, which has a C-minus. The last step is Waterloo East High, which has a C-plus. Finn says the high school's eSports program is especially popular. “They have a nice computer lab, so all the kids meet up there every night. It’s like a dual high school situation so it’s a good opportunity for everyone to get to know each other.”
Waterloo East High School is a public school with about 1,000 students in grades 9-12.
Carver Academy is a public school in Waterloo with a student teacher ratio of 13-1.
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Events in Downtown Waterloo
Proximity to downtown Waterloo means easy access to a slew of annual events, including Iowa’s largest Irish Fest. “Basically, everyone decides that they are Irish that weekend, whether they really are or not,” says Jessica Rucker, executive director at Main Street Waterloo. “It spans 12 city blocks and attracts tens of thousands of people every year.”
Other events downtown include a variety of cultural celebrations that highlight Waterloo’s diversity.
“Downtown hosts Cedar Valley Pride Fest, to welcome all LGBTQ+ community, give them a place to be themselves and know they are loved and welcome, Rucker says. “We have Jaimacan Day, Haitian Flag Day, Juneteenth, and My Waterloo Days, which is a weekend-long in celebration that features musical acts. There’s always something going on.”
Highland residents can catch live music concerts in downtown Waterloo.
Fiesta Latina is one of many local events near Highland.
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Access to downtown Waterloo, Cedar Falls and Evansdale
Highland is just a short drive from multiple city centers.
“It’s a good spot to be in because you’re kind of right in the middle of everything,” Finn says. “You can easily get into downtown Waterloo, Cedar Falls or Evansdale in minutes.”
Evansdale is just 3 miles east of the community, while Cedar Falls is 9 miles west. Downtown Waterloo can be reached in less than 2 miles. Highland is driver-centric, with most essentials being a drive away and very few public transit options nearby.
Highland is as short bike ride away from the downtown area of Waterloo.
Highland commuters can access the rest of Waterloo on the MTA bus.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Karmen Schwake,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Highland Park
Riverview Recreation Area
Highland Square Park
Lafayette Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Highland
US
Homicide
6
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Highland Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Highland, Waterloo sell after 48 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Highland, Waterloo over the last 12 months is $135,000, down 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$149,900
Median Sale Price
$135,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$135,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
3%
Last 12 months Home Sales
5
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-4%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$127
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
196
Median Year Built
1926
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,573
Below the national average
1,933
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,840
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Karmen Schwake,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
391
Median Age
43
Population Density
6 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.3%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$47,727
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$56,401
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
78.2%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
20.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
6.3%
% Population in Labor Force
73.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
36''
Average Winter Low Temperature
11°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
24''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
35/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
20/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
19/ 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.
