Council Bluffs, IA—51503
Real Estate Data & Market Trends
Key Metrics at a Glance
Other Zip Codes in Council Bluffs, IA
Home Price Trends — Council Bluffs, IA
As of Oct '25, the median home price in Council Bluffs, IA is $297,000, with a year-over-year change of 3.1%. This indicates that home prices in Council Bluffs, IA are increasing. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is 1.3%, suggesting an increase housing market in the next year.
Cost per Home Type
| Home Type | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
All Homes | $297,000 | 3.1% |
| Single Family | $298,000 | 3.1% |
| Condos | N/A | N/A |
Cost per Home Size
| Home Size | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
1 Bed | N/A | N/A |
2 Bed | $200,000 | 2.6% |
3 Bed | $291,000 | 3.2% |
4 Bed | $386,000 | 3.8% |
| 5 Bed | $485,000 | 3.4% |
% of Housing Stock
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.
| Type | Median Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,320 |
| Studio Rent | N/A | N/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 |
% of Rental Stock
Property Listings — Council Bluffs, IA
As of Oct '25, Realtor.com reports that the median days on market for a home in Council Bluffs, IA is 26. This is a increase of 4.0% 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 26.0%, representing a large inventory and a lot of supply pressure on home prices.
| Metric | Zip Code Average | Year over Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
Median Listing Price | $284,000 | -12.0% |
Listing Count | 154 | 16.0% |
| Listings as % of Homes | 0.5% | 16.0% |
Days on Market | 26 | 4.0% |
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.
| Metric | Latest Census | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
Population | 37,400 | 0.9% |
% Under 18 | 23.2% | 4.5% |
% Seniors | 19.6% | 0.5% |
% WFH | 9.2% | 206.7% |
% w/ College Degree | 29.8% | 3.1% |
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
| Metric | Latest Census | 5-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% |
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
| Metric | Zip 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% |
Loan Activity
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 Size | HUD Premium | Market Rent | Max 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
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
| Home Price to Income Ratio | 3.4 |
| Median Home Price | $297,000 |
| Median Household Income | $76,100 |