Council Bluffs, Iowa
Among the top 2% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade D, better than 21% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade F, better than 8% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade D, better than 25% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade A+, better than 98% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade D, better than 19% of US places
- top 2% for airport distance
- top 10% for commute time
- bottom 7% for property crime
Council Bluffs is a mid-size city in Iowa with about 63,000 residents. It grades A+ for getting around and F for weather. Standout strengths include airport distance, commute time, and walkability. It rates lower on property tax rate and property crime.
Official websitecouncilbluffs-ia.gov (opens in new tab)
Climate
Hot summers · Cold winters · Moderate rain · Snowy
very cold
cold
cool
comf.
warm
hot
warm
cool
cold
v.cold
73%54%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.3 in1.1 in
muggy 85%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$61k48th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$53kbetter than 24% of US places
Home Value$153k46th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$964better than 44% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$1kbetter than 47% of US places
Property Tax Rate1.89%better than 12% of US places
Income Tax6.00%better than 29% of US places
Sales Tax6.94%better than 68% of US places
Estimated total tax burden13.02%better than 25% of US places
Unemployment4.2%better than 47% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)24°F19th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)77°F59th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation34.5 in30th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall27.1 inbetter than 37% of US places
Sunny Days228 daysbetter than 43% of US places
Summer Humidity66°Fbetter than 37% of US places
Comfortable Days67 daysbetter than 19% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk61.9better than 55% of US places
Air Quality43 AQIbetter than 64% of US places
School Quality59.3better than 52% of US places
Violent Crime1487/100kbetter than 17% of US places
Property Crime3001/100kbetter than 7% of US places
Community
Population62,67098th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age38.438th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.2151st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9748th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+1237th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)83.4%47th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)2.0%66th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)10.3%74th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)1.2%73rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)3.1%52nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time19 minbetter than 90% of US places
Walkability8.5/20better than 78% of US places
Airport Distance6 mibetter than 98% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access82.5%better than 37% of US places
Amenities Nearby22.34better than 23% of US places
Park & Nature AccessModeratebetter than 39% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Council Bluffs an affordable place to live?
- Council Bluffs is relatively expensive. Its cost-of-living index is $53k, better than 24% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Council Bluffs?
- The median home value in Council Bluffs is $153k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Council Bluffs?
- Median household income in Council Bluffs is $61k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Council Bluffs?
- Median gross rent in Council Bluffs is $964 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Council Bluffs safe?
- Council Bluffs is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1487/100k (better than 17%). Property crime is 3001/100k.
- What is the weather like in Council Bluffs?
- Council Bluffs averages 77°F in July and 24°F in January, with 34.5 in of annual precipitation and about 228 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Council Bluffs?
- Public-school quality in Council Bluffs is about average, scoring better than 52% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Council Bluffs?
- The average one-way commute in Council Bluffs is 19 min.
Places near Council Bluffs
Compare Council Bluffs
Explore Iowa
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)