Council Bluffs

Council Bluffs, Iowa Overview

Council Bluffs scores 50.6/100 overall (C+), ranking #13 of 20 cities in Iowa — below the state composite of 69.5. Affordability is the city’s relative strength at 81/100, while Outdoor Access lags at 22/100.

Income & Employment in Council Bluffs

The median household income in Council Bluffs is $64,092, 12% below the statewide median of $72,429. The local unemployment rate of 3.2% is higher than the state’s 3%. Population grew 0.2% recently.

Safety in Council Bluffs

Council Bluffs’s violent crime rate of 448.5 per 100,000 runs above the Iowa average of 295. The property crime rate is 3082.9 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Council Bluffs

Council Bluffs has a cost of living index of 92.5 (where 100 equals the national average), slightly below the national benchmark. The median home value is $164,300. Median monthly rent is $980. Renters spend 18.3% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline.

Health & Wellness in Council Bluffs

The adult obesity rate in Council Bluffs is 40%, above the national average and a factor in the city’s health profile. The diabetes prevalence rate is 11.8%. Residents report an average of 18.1 poor mental health days per month, above the typical range. Iowa ranks #22 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Council Bluffs

Council Bluffs has a high school graduation rate of 89.2%. The student-teacher ratio is 15.2:1. Per-pupil spending is $14,289. The city has 18 public schools serving 11,308 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate & Commute in Council Bluffs

The annual average temperature in Council Bluffs is 54°F. Summers average 75.2°F. Winters average 31.3°F. Annual precipitation is 26.5 inches. The average commute of 17.7 minutes is notably short.

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