Waterloo is a city located in Walloon Brabant, Belgium. It is most famous for being the site of the Battle of Waterloo, where Napoleon was defeated. The population in 2011 was 29,706. Estimates from 2017 show that very little population growth occurred, with an estimated 29,959 people living in the city, showing a population growth of less than 300 people over more than five years.
Approximately one-fifth of Waterloo’s population has origins outside of Belgium. Over 1,200 people of French descent live in Waterloo, as well as over 500 Italians, over 400 Americans, and over 400 Swedish people, according to the Waterloo government. Many of Waterloo’s residents work in Brussels.
The city of Waterloo covers a surface area of about 21.03 km² (8.12 sq mi). The population density comes to a estimated 1,400 residents per square kilometer (3,700/sq mi).
The most significant event in Waterloo’s history was <a href=“http://www.history.com/topics/british-history/battle-of-waterloo>the Battle of Waterloo, which occurred on June 18, 1815. It was during this battle that France’s Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated in his final battle by Prussians and the British. Napoleon abdicated the throne following this defeat.
However, even though this event was what made Waterloo known around the world, there is more interesting historical facts that occurred both prior and after the defeat of Napoleon. The city began developing in the 17th century. The royal chapel that was built during this time in 1687 still stands today. Until 1796, the city was also split into two parts. During this same year, a system of municipalities was created. Waterloo came to be when Petit-Waterloo was split from Sint-Genesius-Rode.
During the 1970s, Chenois became part of Waterloo, and during the 1990s, the Brabant province was divided, and Waterloo at that time because part of the province of Walloon Brabant.
The small city has a rich history that is still evident today. Landmarks include castles, the Mount of Waterloo’s Lion’s Mound, and the Roman Catholic Church of St. Joseph. The city is home to MasterCard international, and residents have access to shopping, international schools and various businesses, while an Ibis Hotel is also located in the city.
Waterloo is a smaller city with a population that falls under 30,000 per estimates taken in 2016. These numbers reflect very little growth from numbers recorded in 2011. However, the city does have over 5,000 immigrants living among its population, primarily motivated to move to the area in order to commute to the many businesses found in nearby Brussels.
| City | 2025 Pop. ↓ | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Brussels | 2,141,520 | 0.44% |
| Antwerp | 1,064,870 | 0.36% |
| Liege | 688,582 | 0.3% |
| Gent | 479,034 | 0.41% |
| Charleroi | 419,244 | 0.28% |
