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Council Bluffs, IA—51503

Real Estate Data & Market Trends

Key Metrics at a Glance

Median Home Value
$308,000
3.2% YoY Growth
Household Income
$76,100
12.6% YoY Growth
Days on Market
31
33.0% Longer YoY
Home Price Forecast
0.2%
Median Rent
$1,150
29.4% YoY Growth
1-Bed Rent
$1,000
37.4% YoY Growth
2-Bed Rent
$1,100
19.0% YoY Growth
3-Bed Rent
$2,250
38.8% YoY Growth

Other Zip Codes in Council Bluffs, IA

51501
  • Home Price Trends
  • Rental Trends
  • Property Listings
  • Demographics
  • Mortgage and Risk

Home Price Trends — Council Bluffs, IA

As of May '26, the median home price in Council Bluffs, IA is $308,000, with a year-over-year change of 3.2%. This indicates that home prices in Council Bluffs, IA are increasing. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is 0.2%, suggesting a relatively flat housing market in the next year.

Cost per Home Type

Home TypeMedian Home ValueYoY % Change
All Homes
$308,0003.2%
Single Family $309,0003.3%
Condos N/AN/A

Cost per Home Size

Home SizeMedian Home ValueYoY % Change
1 Bed
  • Affordability
  • Rentals and Section 8
    • N/A
    N/A
    2 Bed
    		$207,0003.5%
    3 Bed
    		$302,0003.4%
    4 Bed
    		$398,0003.9%
    5 Bed $498,9254.1%
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    % of Housing Stock

    Studio
    3.0%
    1 Bedroom
    10.1%
    2 Bedrooms
    25.3%
    3 Bedrooms
    39.7%
    4 Bedrooms
    16.3%
    5+ Bedrooms
    5.5%

    Rental Trends — Council Bluffs, IA

    As of July '25, Rentcast reports the average rent in Council Bluffs, IA is $1,320, with a year-over-year rent change of 29.4%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in Council Bluffs, IA is 1-bedrooms: $1,070, 2-bedrooms: $1,160, 3-bedrooms: $2,110, 4-bedrooms: $2,150. The most common rental property sizes in Council Bluffs, IA are 2-bedroom and 1-bedroom, accounting for 42.5% and 25.7% of the rental stock.

    TypeMedian RentAverage Rent
    Average Rent$1,150$1,320
    Studio Rent N/AN/A
    1 Bed Rent $1,000$1,070
    2 Bed Rent $1,100$1,160
    3 Bed Rent $2,250$2,110
    4 Bed Rent $2,150$2,150
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    % of Rental Stock

    Studio
    7.8%
    1 Bedroom
    25.7%
    2 Bedrooms
    42.5%
    3 Bedrooms
    19.8%
    4 Bedrooms
    1.8%
    5+ Bedrooms
    2.3%

    Property Listings — Council Bluffs, IA

    As of May '26, Realtor.com reports that the median days on market for a home in Council Bluffs, IA is 31. This is a increase of 33.0% from last year, suggesting that homes are sitting on the market longer than last year. The percentage of listed homes with a reduced price is 16.0%, representing a small inventory and little supply pressure on home prices.

    MetricZip Code AverageYear over Year % Change
    Median Listing Price
    		$300,0002.0%
    Listing Count
    		12320.0%
    Listings as % of Homes0.5%20.0%
    Days on Market
    		3133.0%
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    Demographics — Council Bluffs, IA

    As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Council Bluffs, IA has a population of 37,400, which has remained stable by 0.9% over the past 5 years. Council Bluffs, IA is a moderately popular place for families, as children make up 23.2% of the population. The area has a moderately educated workforce, with 29.8% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are few residents working remotely, with 9.2% reporting working from home.

    MetricLatest CensusYoY % Change
    Population
    		37,4000.9%
    % Under 18
    		23.2%4.5%
    % Seniors
    		19.6%0.5%
    % WFH
    		9.2%206.7%
    % w/ College Degree
    		29.8%3.1%
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    As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Council Bluffs, IA is a predominantly white area, with 88.7% of the population identifying as white. The white population has shrunk by 3.8% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in Council Bluffs, IA is hispanic, making up 5.2% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 2.5% of the population in Council Bluffs, IA, and this percentage has decreased by 13.8% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting fewer immigrants are calling the area home.

    Race and Ethnicity

    MetricLatest Census5-Year % Change
    % White
    		88.7%-3.8%
    % Black
    		2.5%66.7%
    % Hispanic
    		5.2%40.5%
    % Asian
    		0.4%-42.9%
    % Foreign Born
    		2.5%-13.8%
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    Mortgage and Risk — Council Bluffs, IA

    According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 825 mortgage originations in Council Bluffs, IA, of which 82.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 61.0%, with 27.0% above 90% LTV (very high). This implies large mortgage risk in Council Bluffs, IA. Investor activity is low, as 7.0% of loans were by investors. 10.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting few homeowners are tapping equity.

    Mortgages

    MetricZip Code Average
    Total Loan Originations
    		825
    % Conventional Loans
    		82.0%
    % Government Loans
    		18.0%
    % Investor Loans
    		7.0%
    % Second Loans
    		1.0%
    % Cash Out Refinance
    		10.0%
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    Rentals and Section 8 — Council Bluffs, IA

    As of 2024, the percent of homes in Council Bluffs, IA under the Section 8 program is 11.5%. This is considered low, suggesting that the neighborhood is sparsely composed of Section 8 homes. Section 8 opportunity is good when HUD pays more than market rent. In Council Bluffs, IA, none of the tracked home sizes currently have HUD payment amounts above market rent, suggesting limited Section 8 opportunity.

    Section 8 Market Size

    Total Units under HUD
    		634
    Total Units Section 8
    		585
    % Rentals under Section 8
    		11.5%
    % Occupied Section 8
    		89.5%

    Section 8 Opportunity

    Home SizeHUD PremiumMarket RentMax HUD Rent
    1 Bedroom-$90$1,000$910
    2 Bedroom-$10$1,100$1,090
    3 Bedroom-$800$2,250$1,450
    4 Bedroom-$540$2,150$1,610

    Affordability — Council Bluffs, IA

    Home Price to Income Ratio

    MetricZip Code Average
    Home Price to Income Ratio3.4
    Median Home Price$308,000
    Median Household Income$76,100

    Council Bluffs, IA — ZIP Code Boundary Map

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    Nearby ZIP Codes

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    51501

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    Frequently Asked Questions