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Waverly, IA

Frequently asked questions

Waverly, IA

Waverly is a city in Bremer County, Iowa, United States. The population was 10,394 at the time of the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Bremer County and is part of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. 

The sister city of Waverly is the German city of Eisenach, which is famous for the Wartburg castle. Waverly is the location of Wartburg College, which is named after this castle.

The first permanent residents of Waverly were settled there against their will. Because of their alleged assistance given to Chief Black Hawk during the Blackhawk War of 1832, the Winnebago were forced to cede their lands east of the Mississippi and to move to Neutral Ground in what is now northeastern Iowa. 

Frederick Cretzmeyer is credited with being the first European settler in Waverly. Having purchased 160 acres (0.6 km²) in 1852, he built a log hut on the east side of the Cedar River (or what was once called the Red Cedar River). Soon more homes were constructed as other settlers arrived, with some of their later homes built just over the hill behind the old recycling center.

Two stories exist on how the town was named. The speaker at the ceremony was said to have been a fan of Sir Walter Scott's Waverley novels and when it came time to name the town (which settlers had wanted to call Harmonville or Harmon) he inadvertently called it Waverly. The myth goes that Jennie Harmon Case later wrote that it was her father who was the speaker and that he made the decision to name the town after her favorite book, instead of the proposed "Harmonville." Coincidentally, Bremer County's name also honors a person eminent in literature. Bremer was named in 1850 by Governor Hempstead, who was an admirer of the Swedish feminist author Fredrika Bremer.

Waverly's longitude and latitude coordinates in decimal form are 42.726530, −92.475366. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.51 square miles (29.81 km²), of which 11.01 square miles (28.52 km²) is land and 0.50 square miles (1.29 km²) is water.

Waverly Health Center is a 25-bed critical access hospital in Waverly. It provides inpatient care, ambulatory surgery, outpatient services, specialty clinics, and emergency room care to area residents. More than 50 healthcare providers and visiting specialists care for patients there, allowing residents local access to specialized care. Waverly Health Center is accredited by the Joint Commission.

Waverly places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Waverly Golf Course offers beautifully maintained greens and a relaxing environment for golf enthusiasts. Riverview Conference Center offers peaceful retreats and wellness seminars to rejuvenate the mind and body. Waverly Health Center provides a wide array of medical services, including preventive care and wellness check-ups, to ensure community health. Body & Soul Wellness Center Spa delivers luxurious treatments such as massages, facials, and hair services, offering a holistic approach to beauty and relaxation. Fit4Mom Cedar Valley offers fitness programs specifically designed for mothers, including stroller workouts and prenatal fitness classes. Anytime Fitness offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. Waverly Health Center offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs.

The top sites in Waverly, IA are the Prairie Links Golf Club, Kohlmann Park, and Cedar Bend County Park.

Population: 10,522 (2022). ZIP Code: 50677. Area code: 319. Elevation: 912 ft (278 m). Area: 11.76 sq mi (30.46 km²).

FAQs

What is Waverly, IA famous for?

Waverly has a vibrant downtown and is the home of Wartburg College. Incorporated in 1859, the City was founded along the Cedar River by William Patterson Harmon who is also credited for establishing Waverly as the Bremer County Seat. Its Sister City is Eisenach, Germany, home of the famed Wartburg castle, from which Wartburg College derived its name.

Is Waverly, IA a good place to live?

Out of nearly 1000 incorporated cities in Iowa, Waverly ranks in the top 30 towns in all of Iowa for Best Place to Live, Best Place to Raise a Family, and Best Public Schools. From high-tech jobs, manufacturing and assembly jobs to agriculture and education jobs, Waverly is also one of the best places to work. Waverly is an affordable place to live, but you’ll find plenty of amenities, events, and recreation to keep you happy. A true gigabit city, it is noted as one of the best small cities in Iowa to live in.

What is the crime rate in Waverly, IA?

The crime rate in Waverly is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 17 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Waverly is 1 in 58. Based on FBI crime data, Waverly is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Iowa, Waverly has a crime rate that is higher than 90% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Waverly

Neighborhood Scout

Prairie Links Golf Club

Kohlmann Park

Cedar Bend County Park

Waverly Golf Course

Riverview Conference Center

Waverly Health Center

Body & Soul Wellness Center Spa

Fit4Mom Cedar Valley

Anytime Fitness

Waverly Health Center

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