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Lafnow

Lafnow

Neighborhood in Waterloo, Iowa

Black Hawk County 50702, 50703

$73,911 Average Value
$49 Average Price per Sq Ft

Accessibility near downtown Waterloo

The Lafnow neighborhood is catching more attention as downtown Waterloo continues to expand. With accessibly priced homes minutes from downtown, Evansdale and Cedar Falls, “It’s all about affordable proximity,” says Gerald Sorensen, realtor with RE/MAX Home Group. “There’s affordable housing, and you’re pretty close to everything.”
Lafnow is a quiet neighborhood close to the downtown Waterloo area.
Lafnow is a quiet neighborhood close to the downtown Waterloo area.
Lafnow is minutes away from the downtown area of Waterloo.
Lafnow is minutes away from the downtown area of Waterloo.
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Shopping, dining and resources in Lafnow

Dining options within Lafnow include Cedar Valley Fish Market and La Michoacana, a casual Mexican restaurant known for its street tacos. La Michoacana’s owners also own the adjacent Michoacana Meat Market. The butcher shop offers fresh cuts of meat and a variety of South American groceries.

Located about a mile east of Lafnow, All in Grocers is the nearest supermarket. The grocery store is also a laundromat, community center and restaurant. There's also a Fareway about 4 miles east.

The Northeast Iowa Food Bank is located at Lafnow’s southern end and does ample for the Cedar Valley. Offering a community garden, a mobile food pantry, hunger education resources, and more, the food bank is dedicated to feeding those in need. Their most prominent program is their backpack giveaway, through which they provide over 100,000 backpacks filled with food to kids across 159 schools.
Lafnow residents can dine at Screaming Eagle while enjoying live music.
Lafnow residents can dine at Screaming Eagle while enjoying live music.
Cedar Valley Fish Market is a local favorite in Waterloo.
Cedar Valley Fish Market is a local favorite in Waterloo.
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Biking, busing and driving to get around

Lafnow’s location and accessibility are among the largest draws. “A lot of people like to live where they can walk to do stuff,” Sorensen says. “One of the houses I sold down there, the buyer had a bike, and that’s where she wanted to be so she could bike to get around.”

Bus routes 4, 5L and 5W11 provide more ways to get around, but most residents own at least one car. There’s easy access to West 11th Street Bridge and West 18th Street Bridge, which cross over the Cedar River and merge into Leo P. Rooff Expressway. Evansdale is just a 3-mile drive east of Lafnow, and Cedar Falls is about 9 and a half miles west.
Lafnow commuters can hitch a ride downtown on the Metropolitan Transit Authority bus.
Lafnow commuters can hitch a ride downtown on the Metropolitan Transit Authority bus.
Lafnow is a residential area in Waterloo, with access to modern and natural amenities.
Lafnow is a residential area in Waterloo, with access to modern and natural amenities.
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Events in downtown Waterloo

Proximity to downtown means residents also have easy access to annual events. “There’s always a lot of community events and music events downtown, especially in the summer,” Sorensen says. “You’re always going to see activity.”

Waterloo’s summer concerts in Lincoln Park, the Iowa Irish Fest and the 4th Street Cruise are just a few of the largest events. “It’s always a lot of fun,” Sorensen says. “I like being outside, listening to music. They always have a beer tent and vendors and food trucks. It’s just a good time.”
Local meetups near Lafnow include yoga sessions by the Cedar River.
Local meetups near Lafnow include yoga sessions by the Cedar River.
Lafnow residents can enjoy local events and open mics.
Lafnow residents can enjoy local events and open mics.
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Semi-trucks in the area

Nearly everything south of Mulberry is an industrial building, so semi-trucks frequently pass through this neighborhood. This can cause noise and air quality concerns, along with disrupting the flow of traffic.
Lafnow homes sit along tree lined streets.
Lafnow homes sit along tree lined streets.
Lafnow sits close to the Cedar River, offering scenic views.
Lafnow sits close to the Cedar River, offering scenic views.
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Cunningham School, Carver Academy and East High

Kindergarten through fifth graders attend the C-minus-rated Dr. Walter Cunningham School for Excellence, which is about 2 miles north of Lafnow. The next step is the C-minus-rated George Washington Carver Academy, which is Iowa’s first STEM middle school that’s located 3 miles northwest. Waterloo East High is just a mile north and has a C-plus.
Carver Academy is a public school with a student teacher ratio of 13-1.
Carver Academy is a public school with a student teacher ratio of 13-1.
Waterloo East High School is a public school with about 1,000 students in grades 9-12.
Waterloo East High School is a public school with about 1,000 students in grades 9-12.
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Accessibly priced, 20th-century homes

Four Square, minimal traditional, 20th-century traditional and contemporary home styles line the residential roads of Lafnow. While some homes feature detached garages, most residents have to utilize street parking. Extra yard space is a premium that not many people have, but that doesn’t stop residents from putting up mini playscapes, barbeque grills and seating areas.

Both investors and homebuyers are drawn to the area’s single-family and multi-family homes. There’s a mix of handyman specials and move-in-ready options, ranging in price from $30,000 to $100,000.
Lafnow homes sometimes feature front porches and fenced yards.
Lafnow homes sometimes feature front porches and fenced yards.
Homes in Lafnow vary in size and style.
Homes in Lafnow vary in size and style.
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Lafayette Park

Lafayette Park is just east of Lafnow and features a playscape, basketball court and shaded picnic tables. It’s a popular spot for kids to visit after school. The park is also large enough to host gatherings, and the paved walking trail is ideal for morning strolls, runs and bike rides.
Play some 1 on 1 basketball at Lafayette Park in Lafnow.
Play some 1 on 1 basketball at Lafayette Park in Lafnow.
Train at the Cedar Valley Boxing Gym in Waterloo, minutes from Lafnow.
Train at the Cedar Valley Boxing Gym in Waterloo, minutes from Lafnow.
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Kaitlin Davis
Written By
Kaitlin Davis
Francisco de la Vera
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Francisco de la Vera

Agents Specializing in this Area

  • Chris Fischels

    Chris Fischels

    Fischels Commercial Group

    (319) 349-2079

    325 Total Sales

    5 in Lafnow

    $2K - $525K Price Range

    Chris Fischels
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  • Melissa Youngblut

    Melissa Youngblut

    Fischels Commercial Group

    (319) 429-7551

    234 Total Sales

    4 in Lafnow

    $2K - $525K Price Range

    Melissa Youngblut
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  • Rick Bauer

    Rick Bauer

    RE/MAX Concepts - Waterloo

    (319) 349-8738

    269 Total Sales

    3 in Lafnow

    $35K - $80K Price Range

    Rick Bauer
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  • Amy Wienands

    Amy Wienands

    AWRE, EXP Realty, LLC

    (319) 349-2816

    1,320 Total Sales

    2 in Lafnow

    $79K - $80K Price Range

    Amy Wienands
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  • Emily O'connell

    Emily O'connell

    Foundations Realty

    (319) 243-1964

    109 Total Sales

    1 in Lafnow

    $33,500 Price

    Emily O'connell
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  • Mike Taylor

    Mike Taylor

    Lockard Realty Company

    (319) 349-1827

    143 Total Sales

    1 in Lafnow

    $55,000 Price

    Mike Taylor
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Schools

Source:
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
Explore All Schools

Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood? Reach out to Tamara Stark, an experienced agent in this area.

Parks in this Area

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Lafnow US
Homicide 7 4
Sexual Assault 6 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 6 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 5 4
Crime Score 6 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Lafnow Demographics and Home Trends

On average, homes in Lafnow, Waterloo sell after 21 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Lafnow, Waterloo over the last 12 months is $58,250, up 27% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$58,250
Median Sale Price
$58,250
Median Single Family Sale Price
$58,250
Median Change From 1st List Price
2%
Last 12 months Home Sales
8
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
27%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$49

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
240
Median Year Built
1910
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,210
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,781
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,662

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood? Reach out to Tamara Stark, an experienced agent in this area.

Average Home Value

Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
676
Median Age
33
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
29.4%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.3%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$37,222
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$45,916

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
75.5%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
17%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
11.5%
% Population in Labor Force
70.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
36''
Average Winter Low Temperature
11°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
24''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

69 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

46 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

29 / 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.

Learn How Walk Score Works

Nearby Neighborhoods

Cedar River
Cedar River

Historic homes and walking distance to downtown Waterloo

Highland
Highland

Historic charm in Waterloo's oldest community

Northeast Side
Northeast Side

Price points in northeast neighborhood attract investors and entry-level buyers

Cityview
Cityview

Small neighborhood features homes half the size of U.S. home

Search Nearby Neighborhoods

Reviews

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Iowa Black Hawk County Waterloo
Lafnow
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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Lafnow
Tamara Stark
Iowa Land Management & Real Estate
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Tamara Stark
Tamara Stark
Iowa Land Management & Real Estate
Agent experienced in this area
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