Residential streets with easy access to new retail in Valley View
The residential neighborhood of Valley View was once next to a popular shopping mall in southeastern Council Bluffs. By the mid-2010s, most of the stores had shuttered, and Mall of the Bluffs permanently closed in 2019. However, recent development has given the neighborhood a boost. “That was our Mall of the Bluffs area, and it was run-down for 10 or 15 years,” says Todd Cook, a Council Bluffs native and broker and owner of NextHome In The Bluffs. “It was really an eyesore, so it’s nice to see the new development. The new Menards just opened in 2023.” Recently, the city also added a dog park to the neighborhood’s namesake green space, which is tucked between the railroad tracks and Mosquito Creek. Although the neighborhood is within the city limits, wooded streets lend a rural vibe to some areas.
Cozy cottages bring charm to the Valley View community.
Valley View is located near I-80 and has easy access to all of Omaha and Council Bluffs.
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A blend of 1960s and 21st-century homes
Valley View is almost exclusively residential. More people own than rent, although a few apartment complexes share space with single-family homes. Streets near the park are laid out in loose grid patterns, with well-maintained sidewalks leading past shaded front yards and short driveways. Some properties measure up to half an acre, and many builds date to the 1960s, with some newer construction in the mix. The rural western section of the neighborhood has a dense tree canopy, winding roads and hilly terrain. When homes enter the market, they only linger for an average of 15 days, less than half the national average. Inventory is scarce, but buyers can expect to spend $200,000 to $350,000 for a raised ranch-style or split-level home.
Split level homes are a staple in the Valley View neighborhood.
Bennett Avenue connects all of Valley View to the rest of town.
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Walking trails thread through Valley View Park
The walking trail at Valley View Park extends past a playground and soccer field and into the surrounding tallgrass prairie. Canine companions frolic in the fenced dog park, which opened in November 2024 with water stations, shaded areas and “logstacles” for climbing and jumping. The playground, splash pad, hiking trails and scenic lookout at Fairmount Park are less than a mile from most homes.
Valley View Park consists of 50 acre in The East End neighborhood of Iowa.
Enjoy a picnic at Valley View Park.
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Close to Iowa Western Community College
Most students attend College View Elementary School, which receives a C-plus from Niche. Next up is C-rated Gerald W. Kirn Middle School, followed by Abraham Lincoln High School, rated C-plus. Freshmen and sophomores can participate in TradeWorks Academy, a program that prepares students for apprenticeships in in-demand trades following graduation. Residents are within a mile of Saint Albert Catholic School, rated A-minus, and the Iowa Western Community College campus.
Kirn Middle School hosts The South End students in grades 6-8.
Iowa Western Community College is just minutes from Valley View.
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Two miles from downtown Council Bluffs
Interstate 80 sits just past the neighborhood’s eastern border, providing access to the greater Omaha metro region. Buses on the Omaha Metro Transit system stop along Bennett Avenue, but most residents rely on cars. Nightlife on the Historic 100 Block in downtown Council Bluffs is about 2 miles away, right alongside the Bayliss Park business district. Two major medical centers, Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital and CHI Health Mercy, are roughly 2 miles away. Residents have a 9-mile commute to downtown Omaha and a 12-mile drive to Eppley Airfield, the closest airport.
New Menards anchors the shopping complex
In 2019, the former Mall of the Bluffs was razed to make room for Menards, a department store specializing in home improvement goods. “There’s a little road between CHI Health Clinic and Valley View that you can sneak through to access the new Menards,” Cook says. Across from the department store, regional grocery chain Hy-Vee is surrounded by fast-food chains like Starbucks, McDonald’s and KFC. Wine enthusiasts can grab a bottle from the Wine Wall at Cellar 19 Wine & Deli, which offers an extensive selection of sandwiches, soups and salads.
Menards has everything you need for home renovations in one place at Menards near Valley View.
Find sweet treats made with love at Eileen's Colossal Cookies near Valley View.
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Storm watches in Tornado Alley
Council Bluffs is in Tornado Alley, where residents can expect storm watches and storm warnings, especially in spring. Potential buyers should look for properties with basements or storm shelters, plus insurance policies that cover wind damage.
Written By
Adrienne Ryan
Photography Contributed By
Seth Johanson
Video By
Matt Pangman
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Agents Specializing in this Area
Emilee Jensen
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate The Good Life Group
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Reach out to
Emilee Jensen,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Valley View Park
Transit
Airport
Eppley Airfield
22 min drive
Bus
Bennett Ave & Bonham Ave NE
Bus
Mall Of The Bluffs
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Valley View
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Valley View Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Valley View, Council Bluffs sell after 15 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Valley View, Council Bluffs over the last 12 months is $265,000, up 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$265,000
Median Sale Price
$265,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$265,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
26
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
10%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$150
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
411
Median Year Built
2012
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,839
Below the national average
1,933
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Emilee Jensen,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,995
Median Age
46
Population under 18
21%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
27.3%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$85,613
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$95,908
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
95.9%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
36.9%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
14.1%
% Population in Labor Force
64.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
32''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
12''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
45/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
45/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
0/ 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.
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.
