Historic Glenwood offers quiet living near Omaha and Council Bluffs
Glenwood rests in a hollow of the Loess Hills in southwest Iowa, about 5 miles east of the Nebraska border. Historic buildings recall the city’s early days, when its economy was centered on a psychiatric hospital that shuttered in 2024. Glenwood is the seat of Mills County and home to roughly 5,000 residents, many of whom commute to Council Bluffs or Omaha on the Nebraska side of the border. “You’re close enough to the city, if you need to go to Council Bluffs or Omaha,” says city clerk Theresa Simonetti. “Omaha has pretty much everything you need, but a lot of people move here because it’s quiet.”
Historic homes and ranches line Glenwood’s hilly streets
Glenwood’s residential streets include brick-paved thoroughfares like Hazel Street, which feature historic homes on shaded knolls. Queen Anne and National style builds, foursquares and bungalows date to the early 1900s, while most ranch-style homes were built between 1950 and 1990. Lot sizes in central areas typically measure under a quarter-acre; on the outskirts, New Traditional homes occupy lots measuring 1 to 2 acres. Sidewalks border many streets, but can be patchy and uneven due to hilly terrain. Paved driveways and attached garages are common, especially for newer homes. Fixer-uppers sell for $100,000 to $150,000, and small ranch-style and National homes cost $160,000 to $300,000. New Traditional and larger ranch-style houses cost $300,000 to $550,000.
Mills County experienced extreme flooding in March 2019. While Glenwood wasn’t affected as directly as nearby towns like Pacific Junction, the city was on a boil advisory for weeks afterward. Homes near Keg Creek are likeliest to be affected by flooding during periods of heavy rain.
Regional chains and a local brewery in downtown Glenwood
Glenwood’s historic downtown centers on the town square and Mills County Courthouse. Beer lovers sample brews like Breakdown Brown and Brick Red Ale at Keg Creek Brewing. “They brew their own and distribute it throughout the area,” Simonetti says. Several popular regional chain restaurants have Glenwood locations. The Buck Snort is known for its sandwiches and burgers, and Casey’s takeout pizza earns high marks. El Porton Mexican Grill is another local hot spot. Family Fare supermarket has a convenient downtown location, and Bomgaars department store, Russ’s Market and several fast-food chains can be found on the city’s southwestern outskirts. The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) recently granted the city over $500,000 for a downtown revitalization project, which is estimated to be complete by November 2025.
Mixed Niche ratings for Glenwood schools
Northeast Elementary School receives a B from Niche and serves students from prekindergarten to Grade 2. For grades 3 through 5, students move to West Elementary School, rated A-minus. Next is Glenwood Community Middle School, rated B-plus, and Glenwood Community High, rated C-plus. The high school partners with Iowa Western Community College so students can earn college credit before graduating. Iowa recently passed the Students First Act, which makes state funding available for kids in grades K-12 to attend private school anywhere in the state.
Local parks, pools and sports fields offer outdoor fun
The Glenwood Community Recreation Complex is the city’s primary outdoor gathering space. An amphitheater sits on a hill overlooking the fishing lake, and multiuse paths weave through wooded areas, past picnic shelters and a playground. Tennis and basketball courts, baseball fields and a disc golf course invite competitive play. Exhibits at Mills County Historical Museum explore the region’s history, going back to the early Native days. The rec complex is close to the high school and surrounding sports fields and the indoor and outdoor pools at the Mills County YMCA and Glenwood Aquatic Center. Glenwood Golf Course is open to the public.
Performing arts and police events bring the community together
Mills Masquers, a nonprofit performing arts theater, stages classic plays and contemporary works throughout the year, and Davies Amphitheater hosts family-friendly live entertainment on summer weekend evenings. In August, the Glenwood Police Department gives locals the chance to meet their public service officials over games and demonstrations at the Cultivate Community event.
Major highways lead to services in Omaha and Council Bluffs
U.S. Route 34, Glenwood’s primary traffic artery, connects to Interstate 29 for the 25-mile drive to Omaha and Eppley Airfield on the Nebraska side of the border. Residents can access on-demand shuttle service through the Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA). Health care services are available at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, about 20 miles away.
Sunday worship at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Glenwood was established by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1848, when the city was known as Coonsville. Although many members left the area in the 1850s, the church on Elderberry Road north of the city holds Sunday worship and sacrament meetings.
