A promising college town 20 miles north of Cedar Falls
Life in Waverly, Iowa, revolves around Wartburg College, a private liberal arts college that’s been at the center of the community since 1935. “We’re a smaller community of about 10,000, but we’re close to a few larger areas,” Century 21 Signature Realtor Jennifer Steere says. “College towns are very popular – especially in Iowa.” In addition to an enrollment of over 1,400 students, Wartburg College is also the city’s biggest economic driver, employing over 500 people. While small, Waverly is the largest city in Bremer County, and its top-rated educational options and a variety of indoor and outdoor recreation earn it the spot as the 16th best place to live in Iowa from Niche.com.
The people of Waverly take pride in their city and their communities.
Downtown Waverly straddles the Cedar River and features parks, trails, and plenty of shopping and dining.
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A limited market with diversified housing
Architectural styles range from contemporary to Victorian-style in Waverly’s real estate market, with some properties dating as far back as 1888. However, there is limited on-hand inventory with fewer than two months of supply at a time. “We do have some new construction, but not a lot,” Jennifer says. “We have farmland all around, so it’s very hard to expand the town as far as new construction goes.” The median sale price is $225,500, lower than the state and national median.
Older homes in Waverly come in various sizes, styles, and shapes.
Custom homes are popping up in developments like this one on Waverly's south side.
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Lutheran influences on education
The city shares a school district with its neighbor at Waverly-Shell Rock Community Schools, which earned an A-minus on Niche.com and was rated the second-best school district in Bremer County. St. Paul’s Lutheran Church has a private school serving preschool through sixth-grade students, while Wartburg College offers more than 60 areas of study on a 118-acre campus that sprawls across the center of the city.
Waverly-Shell Rock High School serves around 800 students in grades 9-12.
Wartburg College is a small private college with around 1,500 students.
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Camping at Cedar River
With 20 public parks and over 12 miles of scenic hiking and biking trails, Waverly is a vibrant recreational community with indoor and outdoor attractions. The W Sports & Wellness Center at Wartburg College has a vortex pool and a 30-foot climbing wall, while Cedar River Park has eight baseball diamonds and a soccer complex. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Cedar Bend campgrounds, and golfing tournaments are held throughout the year at the city’s two 18-hole courses.
Miles of trails and many parks are easily accessible for Waverly residents.
Cedar Bend Park is just north of Waverly and features hiking and camping on the banks of the Cedar River.
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Downtown dining and shopping selections
CrawDaddy Outdoors provides canoes and kayaks for Cedar River excursions and adventure trips to neighboring rivers and campsites. Beauty salons and novelty stores mainly populate the downtown district, while boutique shops like Moe & Arrow comprise much of the southwestern corridor. Local dining options include brunch spots like Wild Carrot and taprooms such as the Bremer Brewing Co. The closest grocery stores include Hy-Vee, Walmart and Aldi.
Downtown Waverly shops like The Prairie Bee offer locally-owned goods and services.
Bremer Brewing Company is a Waverly hotspot with award-winning craft beers.
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Shuttling along the Avenue of the Saints
Part of an interconnected four-lane highway system, Waverly provides residents with several public transportation options, including OnBoard Public Transit, which services Bremer and its surrounding counties. Reservations can also be made for the Saints Avenue Shuttle service, which provides $10-$20 rides to University of Iowa hospitals and clinics on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Residents have an accredited health care provider in the Waverly Health Center, while the closest commercial airport is 20 miles south at the Waterloo Regional Airport.
Sounds of the Wartburg Community Symphony
In addition to having performing arts venues in the Bachman Fine Arts Center and the Shades of Rhythm Amphitheater, Wartburg musicians also volunteer for the community symphony. The Waverly Chamber Music Series also hosts concerts in the fall and spring.
Weather & Crime
Getting an average of 35 inches of snowfall yearly means crews are always out bright and early, plowing streets between 2 and 4 a.m. Flooding is a minimal risk thanks to the inflatable dam that was finished in 2011, but residents on the southeastern end of the city should be on the lookout if Janesville’s river gauge exceeds 11 feet. According to the Waverly Police Department, the property crime rate is below the national average, while violent crime is higher than the national average.
Written By
David Dunn
Photography Contributed By
Drew Davis
Video By
Conar McDaniel
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Karen Kayser,
an experienced agent in this area.
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
On average, homes in Waverly, IA sell after 34 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Waverly, IA over the last 12 months is $220,000, down 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome home to this beautifully updated 5-bedroom, 2,268 sq ft gem that’s completely move-in ready! You’ll love the large, open-concept kitchen—perfect for entertaining—plus a spacious master suite featuring a walk-in closet and private bathroom.This home has had lots of updating throughout, it includes a walk-out basement that opens to an amazing backyard oasis complete with a gazebo, play
Taylor SwaneyCentury 21 Signature Real Estate - Oelwein
From the moment you enter, you’ll feel the story of this home woven into every detail. Original Pella casement windows fill the home with natural light, complementing the beautifully preserved hardwood floors, original solid wood doors, and art deco-inspired wood trim and fireplace. Built in 1941 by Edward and Ida Meyer, owners of Meyer Pharmacy, this 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home is a true gem for
Enjoy the blend of character and updates in this 1.5 story home featuring 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, and a spacious 2+ stall detached garage with alley access. Perfectly located near Kohlman Park, downtown businesses, and Wartburg College, you'll be in a prime spot. From the moment you arrive, the enclosed front porch welcomes you with its cozy charm—perfect for relaxing with your morning coffee
Cara ShanksCentury 21 Signature Real Estate-Waverly
Welcome to this well-maintained 4-bedroom raised ranch, where comfort and functionality meet in a beautiful setting. (One bedroom is currently used as a home office—perfect for remote work or study space.) Situated on a lush, landscaped acre lot, this home offers space, privacy, and a peaceful suburban feel. Inside, you'll find a spacious kitchen with a breakfast bar, Bertch cabinets and all
Come check out this beautiful corner lot home with so much to offer! With three bedrooms all on the main floor, an extremely large living room, clean basement with storage space, and a front enclosed porch, this home is perfect for any buyer! The newly fenced in backyard is ready for all of your entertaining needs and the two stall garage is ready for your cars, toys, or storage!
Jessica KettlesonCentury 21 Signature Real Estate-Waverly
Welcome to this beautifully maintained 5-bedroom, 2-bathroom home that combines space, comfort, and modern upgrades. Featuring new carpet throughout, a brand-new air conditioner installed in 2024, new siding in 2023, and a tankless water heater, this home offers peace of mind and energy efficiency from day one. Step inside to find a warm and inviting layout perfect for both daily living and
**Next 5 NEW leases will receive a free month of rent with a 12 month lease moving in before 10/1!**SNAPSHOT- Brand new condos with slate finished appliances, hardwood flooring, quartz countertops, and soft-close cabinetry- Secured Entry- Attached 2 stall garageBENEFITS- Free pool access to the Prairie Links Pool - Free golf membership to Prairie Links Golf
*** 1/2 OFF FIRST MONTH'S RENT, WITH ANY JUNE MOVE-IN'S ***Discover the perfect blend of comfort and convenience at Waverly's Rolling Meadows!Enjoy spacious floorplans with ample room to stretch out and make your own. Step outside and soak up the sunshine with your very own private deck or patio, providing the perfect outdoor space to unwind after a long day. Don't miss this
Welcome to Palace Apartments in the heart of downtown Waverly, IA. Our newly constructed apartments feature modern amenities such as hardwood floors, quartz countertops, and stainless steel appliances. Enjoy the convenience of online rent payment and maintenance requests, as well as the luxury of having a washer and dryer in your unit. Take advantage of the free golf membership and pool access
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