Unity is a newer neighborhood with a touch of old-school charm. Situated just outside of the historic Black Triangle, a subsect designated for "nonwhites" in the 1950s, this neighborhood’s comradery resembles something of the past.
“Just knowing who your neighbors are is such a major component that’s been lost with time,” says Stephanie Shavers, Waterloo Neighborhood Services Coordinator and longtime Northend resident. “You should know your neighbors by name. If you both live in the same neighborhood, you probably have the same wants and needs. You want your kids to be safe, your families to be safe. You want to live somewhere that’s free of trash, and everyone’s yard looks nice.”
Unity lives up this standard. Never losing its friendly touch, this is a community with neighbors who know each other by name, a convenient location and accessibly priced homes.
Churches on every corner
Houses of worship play a large role in Unity's culture. Similar to Church Row, there are churches on nearly every corner. They offer more than a place for Sunday service as they’re also heavily involved in the community. Union Missionary Baptist Church, for instance, has been in Unity for over 100 years and often gives out food.
The architecture of Union Missionary Baptist Church is a treat to all passerbys.
Antioch Baptist Church is the largest church in Unity.
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All in Grocers and downtown Waterloo
Residents pick up groceries at All in Grocers on Franklin Avenue. The supermarket is also a laundromat, a community center and a soul food restaurant called Grandma’s Hands. Mostly known for its fried chicken, mac and cheese and banana pudding, the establishment is a popular spot to visit after Sunday service. Hometown Foods is another locally owned supermarket and is about 3 miles south of Unity. It's mostly known for its extensive selection of Intenational ingredients.
Downtown Waterloo is undergoing a renaissance and offers even more places to shop and dine.
“There are a lot of people who haven’t been to downtown in a lot of years, and when they come, they are surprised to see how many businesses we have,” says Jessica Rucker, executive director at Main Street Waterloo. “People’s opinions around downtown are changing. They want to bring their friends and family. Now, you see people coming and having dinner late into the night, walking the [4th Street] bridge, and taking pictures.”
Restaurants such as Screaming Eagle, Morg’s and Jameson’s are just a few longstanding city favorites.
Treat yourself to a delicious snack at Delicias in Unity.
Walgreens is a convenient option for many residents of Unity.
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Mid-20th century single-family homes
No two homes in Unity are identical. The roads are lined with a mix of ranch, Colonial Revival, shotgun, American Foursquare and more. Houses are slightly newer than those in nearby neighborhoods, with an average build year of 1941. For comparison, the nearby of neighborhood Walnut's median build year is 1910, and Roosevelt's is 1934. Home prices usually range between $20,000 and $175,000, but there are a few outliers on both ends of the price spectrum. Tall, established trees range from oak to maple and provide shade for residents walking along the sidewalks below. At around 7,000 square feet on average, lot sizes are slightly larger than those in nearby communities. Most homes have at least a single-car garage, although many have two-car garages.
Homes in Unity feature large driveways and well manicured lawns.
There are plenty of ranch style homes in Unity, Iowa.
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A driver centric community
Although residents can use sidewalks for morning strolls, Unity is mostly driver-centric. US-63 is about a mile west of the neighborhood and provides an easy start to every commute. There aren’t any public transit options in the community, nor are there any bike lanes or major thoroughfares. This makes Unity a quieter alternative to communities such as Franklin Gateway; however, there is a railroad track on the south end that causes some noise for residents closest to it.
Unity is a lovely suburb close to downtown Waterloo, Iowa.
Unity has many lots available for purchase.
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Cunningham School, Carver Academy and East High
Elementary kids attend the C-minus-rated Cunningham School for Excellence, which is at the center of the neighborhood and is within walking distance for most. George Washington Carver Academy is about 2 miles north and serves sixth through eighth graders. It also has a C-minus rating. Waterloo East High School, which has a C-plus, is the last step. It’s about a mile south of Unity and offers over 30 extracurricular activities, including a French Movie Club, robotics and eSports.
Carver Academy is located in the city of Waterloo, IA.
East High School has 1,022 students in attendance.
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Ferguson Fields Park and Gates Park
Ferguson Fields Park is the go-to for after-school recreation and get-togethers. With multiple playscapes, two basketball courts and a picnic pavilion, it’s almost always in use. Gates Park has been around since 1928 and is a short drive north of Unity. Its massive waterslide and public 18-hole golf course are just a few draws to the green space.
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
Gerald Sorensen,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Big Guitar
Furgerson-Fields Park
Gates Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Unity
US
Homicide
9
4
Sexual Assault
8
4
Assault with Weapon
9
4
Robbery
7
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
7
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Unity, Waterloo sell after 34 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Unity, Waterloo over the last 12 months is $151,935, up 181% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Looking for residential lots look no further. These lots are perfect for any purpose also has 30ft by 50ft building for a bonus. Located in a great neighborhood with great neighbors definitely worth taking a look at.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Gerald Sorensen,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,079
Median Age
34
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
31.2%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.4%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$26,700
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$44,665
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
81.4%
College Graduates
10.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.5%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
58.1%
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®
31/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
25/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
23/ 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.
