Illinois city in the St. Louis Metro with a re-energized downtown
Waterloo has a longstanding history dating back to the 1800s, and more than 200 buildings make up Waterloo’s Historic District. These spaces have come back to life with new businesses starting to occupy them downtown. The small city has a population of around 11,000, offers several outdoor attractions and is only about 25 miles from St. Louis. “I would say the biggest draw is the schools that are right here in our community,” says Amy Hank, a Realtor with Keller Williams Pinnacle who has lived in Waterloo for most of her life. “There’s a lot of community parks, and a brand-new splash pad. In the past few years, many businesses and restaurants have opened downtown. There are lots of community festivals and parades and a lot of family-oriented things going on. But still some bars and nightlife, too.”
Waterloo offers peaceful living with easy access to St. Louis amenities.
Sip on house-brewed ales at Hopskeller’s in historic downtown Waterloo, IL.
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Established houses are still an attraction
There’s a fair share of recently built homes in Waterloo, filling developments like Country Club Hills and Natalie Estates. These properties range between $375,000 and $550,000. But there are also plenty of established homes, dating as far back as the 19th century, that are popular partly because of their location. “The downtown area does have a lot of existing houses, and I find people are really liking moving downtown now, to be right next to restaurants and shopping and everything,” Hank says. “They seem to be selling homes in neighborhoods that are maybe newish homes with bigger yards and selling those to move closer to downtown to be able to walk to things. This is all ages, too. I’m seeing empty nesters and younger people without kids doing this, as well as families with kids.” Some of the city’s older homes are cheaper, too, available for $85,000 to $300,000. Waterloo’s median list price is about $362,500, a mark more than some other cities in the area, including Columbia and Belleville, but still less than the national median.
Step back in time with Waterloo’s well-preserved 19th-century brick Cape Cod homes.
Discover newer custom-built homes offering comfort and privacy in Waterloo, IL.
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Industrial industries play a key role
Monroe County, which Waterloo is the seat of, has companies representing a range of industrial services, from plumbing supplies distribution to printing. Also, Waterloo’s location in relation to St. Louis opens up a job market where major employers include Anheuser-Busch and Boeing. “I would say most people still commute to St. Louis,” Hank says. “I know many people work from home now, too.”
Close to Waterloo, IL, Boeing’s St. Louis headquarters helps shape global aviation.
Waterloo’s location opens up a job market to major employers including Anheuser-Busch.
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W.J. Zahnow Elementary has modern updates
The Waterloo Community School District No. 5 maintains a B-plus rating on Niche. W.J. Zahnow Elementary, one of the system’s three elementary schools, recently received an addition and renovation to accommodate a growing student body in a city whose population has jumped 12% from 2010 to 2020. Gibault Catholic High has a B-plus rating and a 10-to-1 student-teacher ratio.
Athletics at W J Zahnow Elementary School build teamwork, and school spirit in Waterloo, IL.
Gibault Catholic High School in Waterloo, IL offers various clubs and activities for students.
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Waterloo parks have an assortment of amenities
Waterloo has five city parks with varying amenities. Koenigsmark Park has a skate park, while Lakeview Park has a 2-mile trail and three lakes open to fishing. Konarcik Park features an 18-hole disc golf course. A new splash pad opened at William Zimmer Memorial Park in 2024. The Monroe County YMCA, 6 miles away in nearby Columbia, can be an escape from the elements in an area where the weather can vary. “I would say that we experience all the seasons. It’s very hot and humid in the summer, in the hundreds,” Hank says. “We do get snow and ice. But the spring and the fall are both very mild.”
Skaters of all levels enjoy Koenigsmark Park’s smooth ramps and rails in Waterloo, IL.
Konarcik Park's frisbee golf course offers fresh air for all skill levels in Waterloo, IL.
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Waterloo’s downtown maintains its historic character
People here like to spend free time perusing the city’s downtown. Many brick buildings throughout this walkable district date back to the 19th century, and many of them have plaques on their exteriors explaining their history, as part of a project conducted by students at Gibault Catholic High in 2014. The businesses in these buildings include restaurants, bars, breweries, salons, gift shops and more. Downtown Waterloo hosts events including the Porta Westfalica Festival, which happens on the third Tuesday of June and is an immersion in German culture in recognition of Waterloo’s sister city, Porta Westfalica, Germany. The GLOW Lighted Holiday Parade on the Saturday after Thanksgiving is a staple, too. “That has become huge,” Hank says.
Historic brick buildings host charming cafes in walkable Waterloo, IL.
Many restaurants and wine bars in Waterloo, IL, are housed in beautifully preserved brick buildings.
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Monroe Randolph Transit District is a method of transportation
Monroe Randolph Transit District is a public transportation option in the region that provides curb-to-curb rides for $6 per trip, and that has a commuter route to the 5th and Missouri MetroLink station for light rail service to St. Louis. Drivers can take Illinois State Route 3 and Interstate 64 for commutes to St. Louis. They can then continue onto I-44 and I-70 in St. Louis to get to the St. Louis Lambert International Airport, about 37 miles away. Red Bud Regional Hospital, which has an emergency room, is a 14-mile trip to the nearby city of Red Bud on Route 3.
Crime
Crime statistics specific to Waterloo are not readily available. However, according to Monroe County Sheriff data reported to the Illinois Uniform Crime Reporting Program, the area saw a 44% drop in overall offenses reported from 2023 to 2024. Waterloo is the county seat of Monroe.
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.
