Waterloo, city, seat of Black Hawk County, northeastern Iowa, on the Cedar River; incorporated 1868. It is a trade center for a region in which corn, soybeans, and livestock are produced; manufactures include agricultural and industrial machinery, cabinets, metal products, and processed food (especially meat). The city's annual National Cattle Congress Exposition attracts many visitors. Also of interest are the Grout Museum of History and Science, a community theater, and several historic homes. The community, settled in 1845, was known as Prairie Rapids Crossing until 1851. Population 75,985 (1980); 66,467 (1990); 68,747 (2000).
