Living in Council Bluffs, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Council Bluffs · Census data 2020–2024
Council Bluffs has 62,586 residents with a median age of 38.7. The median household income is $64,578 (14% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $171,800, the median rent is $1,030/month.
Council Bluffs at a glance
- Population
- 62,586
- Median age
- 38.7State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $64,578State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $171,800State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $1,030/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 63.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21.5%
- Average commute
- 18 min
Is Council Bluffs a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 17% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 14% lower than the Iowa median; unemployment of 4.2%; a poverty rate of 15.1%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Council Bluffs
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Council Bluffs the median home value is $171,800, 48% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,030 per month, which is 28% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,420 a month in housing costs.
Council Bluffs median household income
The median household income in Council Bluffs is $64,578 and the income per person is $33,937. 15.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Council Bluffs: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 27,616
- Owner-occupied
- 63.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 36.9%
- Vacant
- 5.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1965
- Average household size
- 2.33
Council Bluffs demographics
- Population
- 62,586
- Median age
- 38.7
- Under 18
- 22.2%
- 65 and older
- 17.5%
- Households
- 26,023
- Foreign-born
- 5%
- Veterans
- 8.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Council Bluffs ›
Education in Council Bluffs
21.5% of adults 25 and older in Council Bluffs have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 7.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Council Bluffs
- Unemployment rate
- 4.2%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 18 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 8.4%
- Drive alone
- 79.9%
- Public transit
- 0.8%
- Walk to work
- 1.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 84.7%
Council Bluffs vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Council Bluffs | 62,586 | $64,578 | $171,800 | $1,030 |
| Carter Lake | 3,767 | $85,349 | $169,400 | $1,323 |
| Bellevue | 64,510 | $85,462 | $247,000 | $1,226 |
| Offutt AFB | 6,074 | $72,500 | — | $1,666 |
| Crescent | 549 | $116,042 | $283,900 | — |
| Ralston | 6,472 | $69,403 | $230,800 | $1,215 |
| Omaha | 488,837 | $73,201 | $245,500 | $1,187 |
| McClelland | 140 | $108,125 | $182,800 | — |
| La Vista | 16,563 | $81,961 | $260,900 | $1,317 |
More for people moving to Council Bluffs
Council Bluffs ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Council Bluffs: FAQ
What is the median household income in Council Bluffs, IA?
The median household income in Council Bluffs is $64,578, 14% lower than the Iowa median of $75,059 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Council Bluffs?
The median home value in Council Bluffs is $171,800, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Council Bluffs?
The median gross rent in Council Bluffs is $1,030 per month, about 28% of household income.
Is Council Bluffs, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 17% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes. Minuses: median household income 14% lower than the Iowa median; unemployment of 4.2%; a poverty rate of 15.1%.
What is the median age in Council Bluffs?
The median age in Council Bluffs is 38.7 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Council Bluffs?
The average commute to work in Council Bluffs is 18 minutes; 8.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Council Bluffs?
The unemployment rate in Council Bluffs is 4.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Council Bluffs?
21.5% of adults in Council Bluffs have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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