What are the schools like in Council Bluffs, IA?

Council Bluffs is served primarily by Council Bluffs Comm School District. The district operates 10 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.8:1.

What is the median household income in Council Bluffs?

The median household income in Council Bluffs, IA is $61,181 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 4.2%.

What is the weather like in Council Bluffs, IA?

Council Bluffs has an average high temperature of 33.6°F in January and 88.1°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 34.5 inches and annual snowfall averages 27.1 inches.

Council Bluffs, IA Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Council Bluffs, IA affordable or expensive?

Council Bluffs's cost of living index is 92, where 100 represents the national average. This means Council Bluffs is 8% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $153,400 and the median rent is $964 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Council Bluffs, IA?

Council Bluffs has a violent crime rate of 420.8 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 2452.3 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Council Bluffs, IA a Good Place to Live?

Council Bluffs is a mid-sized city of 62,670 in Iowa, with a median household income of $61,181 and a 4.2% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 92 (US average = 100), which is 8% below the national average.

Strengths: Council Bluffs stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Council Bluffs is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Council Bluffs city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 92.5

Council Bluffs's overall cost of living index is 92.5, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Council Bluffs costs roughly 8% less than the average American city.

Metric	Council Bluffs, IA	National Avg
Median Home Value	$153,400	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$964	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	63.4%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$61,181	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Near National Average

Council Bluffs's violent crime rate is 420.8 per 100,000 residents — 11% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

420.8 /100k

Property Crime

2452.3 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Council Bluffs is served primarily by Council Bluffs Comm School District. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.8:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Council Bluffs, IA	National Avg
School District	Council Bluffs Comm School District	—
Elementary Schools	10	—
Middle Schools	2	—
High Schools	2	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	14.8:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	21.4%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	88.5%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Council Bluffs sees average highs of 33.6°F in January and 88.1°F in July, with 34.5 inches of annual precipitation and 27.1 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Council Bluffs, IA
Average High — January	33.6°F
Average High — July	88.1°F
Annual Precipitation	34.5"
Annual Snowfall	27.1"

Demographics

Metric	Council Bluffs, IA	National Avg
Population	62,670	—
Median Age	38.4	38.9
Unemployment Rate	4.2%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	18.9 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	88.5%	59.3%
Black or African American	2.2%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	5.3%	18.9%
Asian	1.2%	6.3%
Under 18	22.2%	22.2%
65 and over	16.7%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Carter Lake, IA 5 mi Bellevue, NE 7 mi Offutt AFB, NE 9 mi Crescent, IA 9 mi Weston, IA 9 mi

ZIP Codes in Council Bluffs

Council Bluffs, IA is covered by 2 ZIP codes:

51501 51503

Council Bluffs vs Other Cities

Council Bluffs, IA vs Carter Lake, IA Council Bluffs, IA vs Bellevue, NE Council Bluffs, IA vs Offutt AFB, NE Council Bluffs, IA vs Crescent, IA Council Bluffs, IA vs Weston, IA

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Council Bluffs, IA affordable or expensive?

Council Bluffs's cost of living index is 92, where 100 is the national average. That makes Council Bluffs roughly 8% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $153,400 and median rent is $964/month.

What is the crime rate in Council Bluffs, IA?

Council Bluffs's violent crime rate is 420.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2452.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Council Bluffs?

Public schools in Council Bluffs are operated by Council Bluffs Comm School District. The district has 10 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.8:1. 21.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Council Bluffs, IA a good place to live?

Council Bluffs, IA has a population of 62,670, a median household income of $61,181, and an unemployment rate of 4.2%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Council Bluffs?

Council Bluffs averages 33.6°F in January and 88.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 34.5 inches with about 27.1 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Council Bluffs?

Council Bluffs, IA is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 51501, 51503.

What is the population of Council Bluffs?

The population of Council Bluffs, Iowa is 62,670 with a median age of 38.4. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Council Bluffs?

Key numbers for living in Council Bluffs: cost of living index 92 (100 = US average), median home $153,400, median household income $61,181, crime index 113 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Council Bluffs side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.