County · Iowa
Black Hawk County, Iowa
Black Hawk County, Iowa. Black Hawk County had 131,532 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.3% since 2020, slower than Iowa (+1.5%). It holds 12 places (11 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 39 census tracts. GEOID 19013.
Black Hawk County is one of the 3 counties of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
131,532
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 131,144 · ACS 2020-2024: 131,049
Median household income
$66,417
±$1,805 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$188,900
±$4,988 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$989
±$20 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Black Hawk County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 131,144 residents in Black Hawk County. The Census Bureau estimates 131,532 for July 1, 2025, up 0.3% since 2020, slower than Iowa (+1.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 131,049 over 566 square miles of land.
| Measure | Black Hawk County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 131,049 | 3,210,507 | −1,344 |
| Households | 54,563±530 | 1,315,707 | +1,658 |
| Average household size | 2.31±0.02 | 2.36 | −0.10 |
| Housing units | 58,991±109 | 1,437,699 | +1,097 |
Black Hawk County's population since 2000
From 128,012 in 2000 to 131,532 in 2025: up 2.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Black Hawk County?
Black Hawk County holds 12 places: 11 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Waterloo with 66,919 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Waterloo | 67,314 | $57,480 |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Falls | 40,713 | $76,987 |
| Evansdale | 4,561 | $60,397 |
| Hudson | 2,546 | $120,481 |
| La Porte City | 2,284 | $70,500 |
| Elk Run Heights | 1,069 | $76,500 |
| WashburnGEOID 1982290 | 870 | $61,406 |
| Dunkerton | 842 | $86,413 |
| Gilbertville | 794 | $79,583 |
| Raymond | 759 | $76,711 |
| Jesup | 2,508 | $89,408 |
| Janesville | 1,034 | $103,542 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Black Hawk County?
The median resident of Black Hawk County is 35.7 years old; 21.9% are under 18 and 17.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 78.1%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 9.1%. 6.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Black Hawk County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.7±0.2 | 38.6 | +0.5 |
| Under 18 years | 21.9% | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.7%±0.1 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.2% | 7.3% | +0.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 78.1%±0.3 pts | 82.3% | −3.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 9.1%±0.4 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.7%±0.2 pts | 2.5% | +0.3 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.9%±0.6 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.5%±0.6 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.8%±0.7 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.7%±0.4 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 13.3%±0.7 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.1%±0.7 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.9%±0.6 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 30.3%±1.3 pts | 31.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.0%±0.8 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.8%±0.4 pts | 2.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Black Hawk County earn?
Half of Black Hawk County's 54,563 households earn less than $66,417 a year (±$1,805), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $65,890 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 14.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Black Hawk County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $66,417±$1,805 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $89,163±$3,068 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,541±$1,149 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 14.9%±1.2 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.2%±2.4 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.1%±0.9 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.4%±0.9 pts | 88.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Black Hawk County?
Owners occupy 66.2% of Black Hawk County's occupied homes and renters 33.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $188,900 by its owner (±$4,988). The median renter pays $989 a month including utilities, and 41.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Black Hawk County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $188,900±$4,988 | $208,000 | +$7,373 |
| Median gross rent | $989±$20 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.0%±2.7 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,429±$25 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 66.2%±1.3 pts | 71.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 58,991±109 | 1,437,699 | +1,097 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.3%±0.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.5%±1.4 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.8%±1.2 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.0%±0.6 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.0%±0.3 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 18.2%±0.9 pts | 23.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Black Hawk County building?
Builders took permits for 488 new housing units across Black Hawk County in 2025 (165 single-family), 3.7 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Black Hawk County get to work?
78.4% of Black Hawk County's workers drive alone and 8.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 15.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.6%.
| Measure | Black Hawk County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.7%±1.0 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6%±0.7 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.4%±1.4 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.5%±0.9 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 3.0%±0.5 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.9%±1.0 pts | 11.3% | +4.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 15.9 min±0.4 | 19.8 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Black Hawk County's census tracts?
Black Hawk County is divided into 39 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $26,181 (Tract 1) to $156,065 (Tract 26.06).
All 39 census tracts of Black Hawk County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Black Hawk County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 5th of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 30th of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 5th of 99 |
| Median household income | 75th of 99 |
| Median home value | 26th of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 8th of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 10th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16th of 99 |
| Median age | 95th of 99 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Black Hawk County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.