Council Bluff’s history and future are industry-focused
The small city of Council Bluffs sits at the western edge of Iowa, on the east bank of the Missouri River. With a population of about 63,000 at the 2020 census, Council Bluffs is known for its historic role in the United States' westward expansion and as one of the largest railroad centers in the first half of the 20th century. Named for a famous meeting between Lewis and Clark and the Otoe Native Americans, the city is rich with history. While Council Bluffs is the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa and the tenth most populous city in the state, it is widely considered a suburb of Omaha, Nebraska.
Its leading industries include manufacturing, education, robotics and beef packaging. Notable employers include Cargill and ConAgra Brands. Its largest employers by number are Council Bluffs Community School District, BK Entertainment, Future Foam and Jennie Edmundson Memorial Hospital Foundation.
Located 5 miles east of Omaha across the Missouri River, the Council Bluffs population has remained relatively steady since 2020, even with the effects of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. According to the World Population Review, population forecasts for Council Bluffs are moderate, with predictions of mild annual declines of -0.21% for the next several years.
Downtown Council Bluffs offers engaging outings opportunities, daily.
Conagra is one of Council Bluffs largest employers.
Downtown Council Bluffs is a warm and welcoming community.
Cargill is a major employer in the Blair community.
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Buildable land, century-old cottages and newly built estates
A wide variety of homes, from multi-million-dollar estates to historic residences built in the late 1800s and early 1900s, is available in Council Bluffs. The historic section of town on the west side features neighborhoods built on a grid, where immaculately restored residences abound. On the east side of the city, newer subdivisions offer single-family homes with a variety of floorplans and styles. According to the Iowa Association of Realtors, the median sales price for single-family homes in Council Bluffs in 2023 was $220,000.
According to Jennifer Pagel, a Realtor with Nebraska Realty and a real estate agent in Omaha and Council Bluffs for more than four years, “The market is a bit unpredictable right now. Some homes in Council Bluffs are selling quickly and some are not. With new rules and regulations that arrived in 2024 and the fact that this is an election year, things may seem a bit inconsistent. But I assure my clients that not only will good homes sell, but there are more new homes coming to market in Council Bluffs.”
Investors and builders will find lots for sale across the city. Recent land sales have gone from $105,000 per acre to $238,000 per acre. One and two-bedroom cottages and bungalows from the 1930s have recently sold from $100,000 to nearly $200,000. Renovated Craftsman-style homes and midcentury split-level homes have sold from $200,000 to about $400,000, while recently built ranch-style estates on 7 acres have sold for $1.9 million.
Original updated cottages line the streets on the eastern side of the neighborhood.
Another excellent bungalow in the East End.
Larger homes can be found alongside parks and community trails.
Home styles in The South End vary, from newer ranches and split-levels, to older cottages.
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Two public school districts, nearby colleges and the University of Nebraska Omaha
More than 9,000 students attend public schools in two Council Bluffs districts. Council Bluffs Community School District is the closest to Omaha and the largest in Council Bluffs. It receives a C-grade from Niche. Niche rates Lewis Central Community School District a B-plus. It is south of Council Bluffs and stretches about 20 miles from the Missouri River east to the town of Mineola. Lewis Central High, a B-plus school in Lewis Central Community School District, is ranked the No. 3 public high school in Pottawattamie County.
Saint Albert Catholic School is the only Catholic school in southwest Iowa that offers programs for infants through high school.
After high school, students in Council Bluffs might attend Iowa Western Community College, set between the Missouri River Valley and the Loess Hills of Iowa. The University of Iowa is 240 miles east in Iowa City, while Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, is 160 miles northeast. The University of Nebraska Omaha is a nearby four-year option in Midtown Omaha, 8 miles from Council Bluffs.
Saint Albert Catholic School provides a faith-based education in The East End.
Students love attending Lewis Central Senior High School.
Look no further than the University of Nebraska Omaha for higher education.
Lewis Central Middle School is a public school in Council Bluffs, IA.
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Parks, historic sites and retail destinations entertain
The Hub Trampoline Park & The Hub Patio is the only family entertainment center in Council Bluffs and offers mini-bowling and pickleball alongside trampolines and an American Ninja Warrior-inspired obstacle course. Bayless Park and Veterans Plaza hosts city-wide gatherings. It also welcomes the Farmers Market Council Bluffs from late spring through early fall and the Winterfest Makers Market. Fans of cards, slots or betting head to Harrah’s Casino Council Bluffs, with 28,000 square feet of table games, slots and gaming kiosks. The only celebrity chef restaurant in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area is Guy Fieri’s Kitchen + Bar at Harrah’s. Outdoor recreation abounds at Lake Manawa State Park at the city's The South End and at over 25 city parks. Golfers will find five golf courses in Council Bluffs. Dodge Riverside Golf Club features an 18-hole public course overlooking the Missouri River.
Ollie the Trolley is a collection of seven open-air trolleys that accommodate 32 to 47 passengers. It’s popular for weddings, holiday light tours and family reunions. Valley View Village is the largest shopping mall in Council Bluffs. Cellar 19 Wine and Deli is open for lunch and dinner and is locally owned. Godfather’s Pizza offers build-your-own pizzas and caters plenty of local events. White Ivory Apparel offers trendy and casual fashions.
The Dodge House historic museum showcases its Second Empire architecture and the history of Grenville M. Dodge, a Union Army general who led the development of railroads across the American West. The Union Pacific Railroad Museum’s immersive exhibits allow visitors to better understand how the transcontinental railroad shaped the region.
They have amazing ice sculptors at Winterfest.
You can have an afternoon lunch at Bayliss Park in Council Bluffs, IA.
Lake Manawa State Park
Enjoy lunch with a friend at Cellar 19 in the East End.
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Investments in technology, housing, and transportation contribute to future growth
Since 2007, Google has built and expanded a $5 billion data center in Council Bluffs, creating more than 900 jobs. Google has also invested more than $3 million in local schools and nonprofits and launched a free WiFi network for everyone in and around Council Bluffs.
The city launched a Housing Development Program in 2023 to build 1,300 affordable multi-family homes by the end of 2034. River's Edge, Lake Manawa and Dodge Park are priority sites that will see millions of dollars in housing built.
Council Bluffs residents who work in Downtown Omaha connect across the river on Park 'n' Ride buses from North 8th Street and West Kanesville Boulevard to stops around Downtown Council Bluffs , about a 30-minute trip. The Metro Bus Blue route also serves Council Bluffs and Downtown Omaha. Omaha Eppley Airfield is 7 miles northwest of downtown Council Bluffs. It provides nonstop flights to over 30 U.S. destinations. It is in the midst of a $950 million renovation and expansion. Multiple highways serve Council Bluffs, including Highways 30, 75, 34 and 86.
Google is one of the largest employers in Council Bluffs.
Enjoy the view of Omaha from Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park.
Lake Manawa Dream Land Park is a great place for the kids to enjoy the day.
Nearby Eppley Airfield serves the greater Omaha community.
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Crime rates are higher than the national average but are lower than nearby cities
According to the most recent FBI data, the rate of violent crime in Council Bluffs is lower than that of the nation at large, though the overall rate is slightly above national norms. Still, crime rates are generally lower than in neighboring Omaha and Carter Lake.
Four seasons, with occasional tornados
With four distinct seasons, Council Bluffs is typically hot in the summer but not as snowy as other Midwestern cities, averaging about 10 snow days a year. Tornadoes in the spring and early summer are a threat, as most recently manifested in April 2024, when an EF3 storm struck with 170 mph winds. In July of the same year, storms brought 90 mph straight-line winds to the city, causing widespread damage and power outages to more than 6,000 customers.
Highway 75 is a great way to get around Omaha and Council Bluffs.
Mabrey Park is a great place to go fishing in Carter Lake.
You can take your pup for a walk in Bayliss Park of Council Bluffs, IA.
There are many food vendors at Winterfest in Council Bluffs.
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Quality of life improvements are made by regulators and healthcare leaders
Council Bluffs is working with the Environmental Protection Agency to better comply with stormwater discharge regulations. Unexpected recent accidents have included dumping untreated sewage into the Missouri River due to broken sewer lines.
Council Bluffs offers two hospitals, a community health center and several medical centers and clinics. CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs is a Level III Trauma Center that offers maternity, acute care, and behavioral health services. Methodist Jennie Edmundson provides emergency care, a cancer center and orthopedic and heart healthcare. All Care Health Center offers mental health, dental, pharmacy and social services.
CHI Health provides healthcare for Council Bluffs residents.
Allcare Health Center is located in downtown Council Bluffs.
Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital serves the Council Bluffs community.
CHI Health Mercy is one of the larger healthcare providers in Council Bluffs.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
