RANK #503 / 996 · POP 93,543 · IA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.7%
Pottawattamie County, Iowa, stands out for its unique Loess Hills, a rugged landform of windblown soil that offers distinctive natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. The county seat, Council Bluffs, sits directly across the Missouri River from Omaha, Nebraska, making it part of a larger metropolitan area. This proximity means a commute of about 10-15 minutes to downtown Omaha, connecting residents to broader employment and entertainment options. The community offers a blend of historic neighborhoods and suburban living, with access to extensive trail systems like the Wabash Trace Nature Trail and parks such as Hitchcock Nature Center, which features over 10 miles of trails through woodlands and prairies.
Life in Pottawattamie County offers a balance of community and access to urban amenities. Many families and young professionals reside here, with public schools generally performing above average. The local economy is influenced by its connection to the Omaha metropolitan area, with residents commuting for work in various sectors. Recent economic developments in the county have seen investment in areas such as data centers and energy, contributing to the economic landscape. Public transportation, provided by SWITA, offers services for various needs, including work, school, and medical appointments, operating across an eight-county area in Southwest Iowa.
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.3x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Duane Arnold Energy Center Recommissioning
NextEra Energy
|
$8,000M | Proposed |
|
Google Data Center - Campus 2 West
Google
|
$1,000M | Operating |
|
Google Data Center - Campus 2 East
Google
|
$500M | Operating |
|
Silver Creek Wind Farm
MidAmerican Energy
|
$400M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Pottawattamie County has a Boom Town Index score of 50/100, ranking #503 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +3.7% and a median household income of $68,718, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Pottawattamie County is $169,400 with median rent at $956/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4057, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.0% year-over-year. Job growth: +3.7%. Home values changed +1.7% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.47% of Pottawattamie County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.