Waterloo, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Waterloo, Alabama
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Waterloo
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Location of Waterloo in Lauderdale County, Alabama.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| County | Lauderdale |
| Settled | 1824 |
| Incorporated | 1832 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.80 sq mi (2.08 km2) |
| • Land | 0.75 sq mi (1.94 km2) |
| • Water | 0.05 sq mi (0.14 km2) |
| Elevation | 466 ft (142 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 178 |
| • Density | 237.97/sq mi (91.94/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
35677
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| Area code(s) | 256 |
| FIPS code | 01-80064 |
| GNIS feature ID | 128626 |
Waterloo is a small town in Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States. It is part of a larger area known as "The Shoals." In 2020, about 178 people lived in Waterloo. The town has its own high school, Waterloo High School, and a volunteer fire department.
Contents
History of Waterloo
Waterloo became an official town in 1832. It was first built along the Tennessee River. The town's name probably comes from the famous Battle of Waterloo. In 1903, the town was officially re-established.
In the 1930s, the town had to move to its current spot. This happened because the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) built the Pickwick Landing Dam. This dam created Pickwick Lake, which covered some of the old town area.
Waterloo was once the second largest community in Lauderdale County. This was after Florence. In 1940, it had its most people, with 524 residents. Since then, the population has become much smaller. Today, it is the smallest of Lauderdale County's towns.
Where is Waterloo?
Waterloo is located on the north side of Pickwick Lake. This lake is a reservoir on the Tennessee River. It was formed by the Pickwick Landing Dam. A creek called Second Creek flows into Pickwick Lake right at Waterloo.
The spot where the states of Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee meet is just a few miles northwest of Waterloo. County Road 14 connects Waterloo to Florence in the east.
The town covers about 0.8 square miles (2.08 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, and a small part is water.
Who Lives in Waterloo?
The number of people living in Waterloo has changed over the years. Here's a look at the population from different years:
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 196 | — | |
| 1910 | 435 | — | |
| 1920 | 415 | −4.6% | |
| 1930 | 497 | 19.8% | |
| 1940 | 524 | 5.4% | |
| 1950 | 327 | −37.6% | |
| 1960 | 215 | −34.3% | |
| 1970 | 262 | 21.9% | |
| 1980 | 260 | −0.8% | |
| 1990 | 250 | −3.8% | |
| 2000 | 208 | −16.8% | |
| 2010 | 203 | −2.4% | |
| 2020 | 178 | −12.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2013 Estimate |
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2020 Population Details
In 2020, there were 178 people living in Waterloo. These people lived in 68 households, and 43 of those were families. Most of the people living in Waterloo are White.
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
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| White (non-Hispanic) | 174 | 97.75% |
| Native American | 1 | 0.56% |
| Other/Mixed | 2 | 1.12% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1 | 0.56% |
Fun Things to Do and See
- Trail of Tears Motorcycle Ride: Waterloo is the official end point for the Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride. This ride remembers when Cherokee Native Americans were forced to leave their homes and move west. This happened because of the Indian Removal Act of 1830.
- Bird Watching: Waterloo is a great place for bird watching. It is a stop on the North Alabama Birding Trail. Many people come to see the bald eagles that live nearby.
- Wildlife Area: The town is next to the Lauderdale Wildlife Management Area. This is a special place where animals and plants are protected.
- Camping and Outdoors: There are two simple campgrounds in Waterloo. They are managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority. Waterloo is also close to the Natchez Trace Parkway, a historic road.
Weather in Waterloo
The weather in Waterloo has hot and humid summers. The winters are usually mild to cool. This type of weather is called a humid subtropical climate. On climate maps, it is shown as "Cfa."
Famous People from Waterloo
- Samuel A. Shelton was a former U.S. Representative from Missouri. A U.S. Representative is a person elected to speak for their area in the United United States Congress.
See also
In Spanish: Waterloo (Alabama) para niños
