kids encyclopedia robot

Waterloo, Alabama facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Waterloo, Alabama
Waterloo
Waterloo
Location of Waterloo in Lauderdale County, Alabama.
Location of Waterloo in Lauderdale County, Alabama.
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)
 • Total 178
 • Density 237.97/sq mi (91.94/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
35677
Area code(s) 256
FIPS code 01-80064
GNIS feature ID 128626

Waterloo is a town in Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Florence–Muscle Shoals metropolitan area, known as "The Shoals". As of the 2010 census, the population of the town was 203, down from 208 in 2000. The town and surrounding area is served by Waterloo High School and by the Waterloo Volunteer Fire Department.

History

The town was incorporated in 1832 on the banks of the Tennessee River. The name most likely commemorates the Battle of Waterloo. According to the 1910 U.S. Census, Waterloo was reincorporated in 1903.

In the 1930s, the town was moved to its current location when the Tennessee Valley Authority completed the Pickwick Landing Dam, which impounds Pickwick Lake. Waterloo has lost a large area of land to floods and later the construction of Pickwick Landing Dam.

In 1880, when it first appeared on the U.S. Census, and again from 1910 to 1940, it was the second largest community in Lauderdale County after Florence, reaching its zenith of 524 residents in 1940. It has since lost two-thirds of its population and since 1980, and ranks 8th and smallest of Lauderdale County's incorporated communities with 203 residents.

Geography

Waterloo is located along the north shore of Pickwick Lake, a reservoir along the Tennessee River created by Pickwick Landing Dam approximately 20 miles (32 km) downstream. Second Creek, which flows from the north, empties into Pickwick Lake at Waterloo, creating a small inlet. The point at which the states of Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee meet is located several miles northwest of Waterloo. County Road 14 connects Waterloo with Florence to the east.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2), of which 0.75 square miles (1.9 km2) is land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km2) (6.17%) is water.

Demographics

Historical population
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

2020 census

Waterloo racial composition
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 174 97.75%
Native American 1 0.56%
Other/Mixed 2 1.12%
Hispanic or Latino 1 0.56%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 178 people, 68 households, and 43 families residing in the town.

Attractions and events

Waterloo-Pickwick-Lake-downstream-al
Pickwick Lake at Waterloo
  • Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride, Waterloo, Alabama is the Official End of The Trail. The ride commemorates the final point at which area Cherokee Native Americans were embarked to Oklahoma and the Midwest by the Indian Removal Act of 1830.
  • Waterloo is a stop on the North Alabama Birding Trail. The area is renowned for the nearby bald eagle population.
  • The town is adjacent to the Lauderdale Wildlife Management Area.
  • Two primitive campgrounds managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority are in the city limits. Waterloo is located 11 miles (18 km) west of the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Waterloo has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Notable person

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Waterloo (Alabama) para niños

kids search engine
Waterloo, Alabama Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.