Waterloo, IA

Waterloo is a city in and the county seat of Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States.^[3] It is the eighth-most populous city in Iowa, with a population of 67,314 at the 2020 census.^[4] Waterloo comprises a twin conurbation with neighboring municipality Cedar Falls, and is the larger of the two cities. The Waterloo – Cedar Falls metropolitan area has an estimated 170,000 residents. Waterloo is bisected into eastern and western halves by the Cedar River flowing southeastward.

Waterloo is a major manufacturing, commercial, and cultural center in Northeast Iowa. John Deere, a brand renowned for its tractors, engines, and other agricultural machinery, has been manufacturing its products in the city for over a century. Locally known as the “Factory City,” Waterloo has played a significant role in the production of these important agricultural tools since 1893. That year, the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company began producing the first gasoline-powered tractor, which later became known as the “Waterloo Boy” brand.^[5] The city has been designated as a World War II Heritage City by the National Park Service, and is home to the headquarters of the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area.^[6]