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Playland Park

Playland Park

$184,760 Average Value
$172 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

Apartments and low housing costs make Playland Park up-and-coming

Playland Park is a growing Council Bluffs neighborhood on the eastern banks of the Missouri River. Most newcomers are drawn to the community’s new apartment development and the more affordable housing options compared to neighboring downtown Omaha. There’s also a vibrant riverfront park with a pedestrian bridge. “It’s the up-and-coming spot in the Omaha metro,” says Vickie Jenkins, a Realtor with BHHS Ambassador Real Estate and a Council Bluffs local. “Tons of young people are either renting here or buying their first homes here.” Wedged between Interstate 480 and Interstate 29, Playland Park is also conveniently located near both Omaha’s and Council Bluffs’ downtown districts. “You’re really at the heart of all the action in this neighborhood,” Jenkins says.

Most residents are renters in Playland Park

Broadmoor at River’s Edge apartments make up most of Playland Park, and a little over half of the neighborhood’s residents are renters. Single-family homes include cottages and ranch styles built between the 1920s and early 2000s. Sidewalks line some streets, and oak trees often shade small lawns. Houses typically have two to four bedrooms and driveways. Prices can range from about $110,000 to around $310,000, depending on a home’s size and condition. The median single-family home price is around $190,000, significantly lower than downtown Omaha’s $373,000 median.

Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park connects with Omaha

Modern art sculptures and picnic pavilions dot Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park. Its grass lawn regularly hosts events, including Summerfest, when people gather to enjoy food trucks, bounce houses and a drone show. Musicians frequently perform in the amphitheater, which overlooks the Missouri River and downtown Omaha’s high-rise buildings. The park’s trails cut through wetland terrain and offer access to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, which stretches over the Missouri River into downtown Omaha. On the other side of the bridge, Lewis and Clark Landing has a marina, playgrounds and sand volleyball courts. River's Edge Park is still in development, with a treetop walk, rock climbing wall and a pier currently in the funding stages. “We’re all hoping it will be done at some point in 2026,” Jenkins says. “But even without all those extra things, it’s still one of the coolest parks in the metro area.” On the neighborhood's south end, Dodge Riverside Golf Club has a public, 18-hole course also overlooking the river and the city skyline.

Thomas Jefferson High has trade classes

Council Bluffs Community School District serves the neighborhood. Kids can attend Edison Elementary and Wilson Middle, both of which earn C grades from Niche. They may continue to C-minus-rated Thomas Jefferson High, where the TradeWorks Academy offers coursework in mechanics, construction and electrical systems.

Downtown Omaha and downtown Council Bluffs are nearby

The small commercial strip in the neighborhood’s southern area is home to a fitness center and Mercy Thai Restaurant. Lively breweries, Italian spots and other places to eat are in downtown Omaha, less than 3 miles west. The district also has cultural centers, like the Art Deco-style Joslyn Art Museum, and entertainment hubs, including the CHI Health Arena. Cafes and casual bars fill Italianate-style buildings in downtown Council Bluffs, about 4 miles east. “It’s nice to be near both downtowns because you can go to Omaha for more of a nightlife scene, or to Council Bluffs for more of a low-key night,” Jenkins says. Grocery stores like Hy-Vee and Walmart Supercenter are all within 5 miles.

A pedestrian bridge offers an alternative route to downtown Omaha

I-490 stretches across downtown Omaha, while I-29 runs parallel to the Missouri River. This easy highway access often makes the area traffic heavy. “It can be gridlocked about 20 to 30 minutes before and after work,” Jenkins says. Commuters also use the pedestrian bridge to reach Omaha, where major employers include Creighton University and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. “Sometimes it’s faster for people just to ride their bikes into the city,” Jenkins says. Eppley Airfield, Nebraska’s busiest airport, is about 4 miles north.

Meghan Baker
Written By
Meghan Baker
Seth Johanson
Photography Contributed By
Seth Johanson

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Schools

Source:
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Transit

Airport

Eppley Airfield

14 min drive

Reviews

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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Playland Park US
Homicide 5 4
Sexual Assault 2 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 3 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Playland Park Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$215,000
Median Sale Price
$189,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$206,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
16
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-5%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$172

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
175
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Median Year Built
1997
Months of Supply
0.80
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,220
Significantly below the national average
1,928
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,662

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
2,089
Median Age
37
Population under 18
23.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$79,321
On par with the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$94,210

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
80.2%
Below the national average
89%
College Graduates
20.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
10.8%
% Population in Labor Force
67.6%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
32''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
16''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

55 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

29 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

31 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Playland Park
Lynn Leaders
Heartland Properties
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