Is Cedar Falls Safe, Pros and cons of living in Cedar Falls

Is it Safe to Live in Cedar Falls?

Cedar Falls presents a mixed picture regarding safety, with crime rates that warrant attention. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Cedar Falls is approximately 1 in 58 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Based on FBI crime data, Cedar Falls is not among the safest communities in America, as its crime rate is higher than 92% of Iowa’s cities and towns of all sizes (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

When compared to communities of similar population, Cedar Falls’s combined violent and property crime rate is notably above average (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The chance of being a victim of violent crime, such as robbery or aggravated assault, is about 1 in 618, equating to a rate of 2 per one thousand inhabitants (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Property crime rates are higher, with an above-average chance of becoming a victim of theft, burglary, or motor vehicle theft (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Housing Costs

The housing market in Cedar Falls is described as somewhat competitive, with the median sale price of a home reaching approximately $307,000 in a recent month (as reported by Redfin). This median price is about 30% lower than the national average (as reported by Redfin). Home prices have seen a significant increase, with a 22.5% rise year-over-year in a recent period (as reported by Redfin).

Homes in Cedar Falls tend to stay on the market longer compared to the previous year, with a median of 54 days to sell in a recent month, up from 15 days in the prior year (as reported by Redfin). The median sale price per square foot is around $157, showing a 10.5% increase from the previous year (as reported by Redfin).

For renters, the average rent in Cedar Falls is approximately $1,345 per month (as reported by Zillow). This figure encompasses a range from $400 to $3,500 for various property types and bedroom counts (as reported by Zillow). Recently, the average rent has seen a slight month-over-month decrease of $5 and a year-over-year increase of $45 (as reported by Zillow).

Job Market and Economy

The average annual salary in Cedar Falls is around $44,551, which equates to approximately $21.42 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). This figure is based on a broad range of salaries, with most falling between $32,000 and $54,645 annually (as reported by ZipRecruiter). However, specific salary data for city employees indicates a higher average annual salary of $68,595 (as reported by Indeed).

The unemployment rate in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metropolitan area was approximately 3.80% as of a recent report, which is lower than the long-term average (as reported by FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis). This rate is also lower than the previous month and the same period last year (as reported by FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis).

Major employers in Cedar Falls include large retail chains like Walmart and Target, as well as companies in the service and manufacturing sectors (as reported by Indeed). John Deere is a significant employer, known for its advanced products in agriculture and construction (as reported by Lensa). Other notable companies include UnityPoint Health, CBE Companies, and the University of Northern Iowa (as reported by Zippia, Lensa).

Climate

Cedar Falls experiences distinct seasons, characterized by long, warm, and wet summers, and freezing, snowy, and windy winters. The temperature typically fluctuates between 11°F and 84°F throughout the year, rarely dropping below -9°F or exceeding 92°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The warm season generally runs from mid-May to late September, with average daily high temperatures climbing above 73°F.

July is the hottest month, with average high temperatures around 84°F and lows of 64°F (as reported by Weather Spark). Conversely, the cold season extends from late November to early March, with average daily high temperatures remaining below 38°F. January is the coldest month, with average low temperatures around 12°F and highs of 28°F (as reported by Weather Spark).

The city receives a significant amount of precipitation, particularly during the summer months. The tourism score, which considers temperature and precipitation, suggests that the best time for warm-weather activities is from late June to mid-August (as reported by Weather Spark).

Education

The Cedar Falls Community School District is highly rated, holding an overall Niche grade of A- (as reported by Niche). The district serves students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade and has a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1 (as reported by Niche). State test scores indicate that approximately 82% of students are proficient in math and 84% are proficient in reading (as reported by Niche).

Cedar Falls High School also receives strong ratings, with an overall Niche grade of A- (as reported by Niche). It is recognized for its performance in state rankings, including being among the best for STEM and athletes in Iowa (as reported by Niche). According to state test scores, 79% of students at the high school are proficient in math and 80% in reading (as reported by Niche).

Beyond the public school system, the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) is a significant educational institution in Cedar Falls. UNI offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, contributing to the city’s vibrant academic atmosphere.

Demographics

Cedar Falls has a population of approximately 40,900 residents (as reported by Data USA). The city’s population is relatively young, with a median age of around 29.3 years (as reported by Point2Homes). The age distribution shows about 14.6% of the population under 15, and 16% aged 65 or older (as reported by Point2Homes).

The racial makeup of Cedar Falls is predominantly White, accounting for about 91.7% of the population (as reported by Point2Homes). Other racial groups include Asian (3.3%), African American (1.4%), and those identifying with two or more races (3.1%) (as reported by Point2Homes). The majority of residents, 98.5%, are U.S. citizens (as reported by Data USA).

The median household income in Cedar Falls is approximately $76,987 (as reported by Point2Homes). This income level is higher than the national median, with a significant portion of adults holding bachelor’s degrees or higher (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org).