Council Bluffs Real Estate and Information

The city of Council Bluffs represents the Iowa side of the Omaha Metro area. Nestled among the rolling bluffs and Interstate 29 and Interstate 80, it is home to around 63,000 residents and many corporations such as Google, Tyson Foods, ConAgra and three casinos. With job opportunities and green space, the city boasts it is a progressive, yet family-friendly city.

The history of Council Bluffs includes a parade of famous western explorers, fur traders, military figures, engineers, and great Indian nations. It was named in 1804 when Lewis and Clark and the Otoe tribe had a meeting in the bluffs. Abraham Lincoln made the city the eastern terminus of the transcontinental railroad making it known as the Gateway of the American West.​

Shopping and Dining

The city offers a wide variety of shopping and dining options along with being only minutes from the gigantic selection that Omaha offers. In Council Bluffs you can fill your shopping bags at many popular national stores at Metro Crossing Shopping Center located just off I-29 or at the Market Place, located off I-80 and 23rd Street. If antique shopping is more your style, find treasures browse the packed Lake Manawa Antiques. 

There are many local food-stops to choose from in the city. Mo Fish is located on Nash Boulevard and is a small restaurant that serves up the best fried fish in the area. For a no-frills eatery, dive into Duncan's Cafe located on S. Main Street. It was established in 1974 and is a local favorite because of cheap prices and huge portions. Another local eatery is Pizza King which is located on N. Broadway and known for delicious homemade pizza. Round out your meal with a stop at a Christy Creme, a legendary ice cream shop also located on N. Broadway that dishes out ice cream with friendly staff and tasty treats.

Parks and Recreation

Located in the Loess Hills, the city offers a one-of-a-kind experience for the outdoor enthusiast. Bring your bike, ATV, or hiking shoes and enjoy the views. Take a walk over the Missouri River along the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. While getting river views, stop by the new Tom Hanifan River's Edge Park for the evening light show or concert. Lake Manawa State Park, a 1,529 acre destination for swimming, boating, fishing and camping. It also has trails, a variety of wildlife and wildflowers located on the southern edge of the city. To find our more from the Council Bluffs Parks and Recreation Department, visit the website at, www.councilbluffs-ia.gov.

Living

Council Bluffs is generally divided into several areas: East end, West end, South end, Downtown, Twin City, Manawa. The real estate market offers something for every pocket book. Residences range from starter homes, to large, multi-million dollar acreages. The city and surrounding area provides the best of big city access and small town living.  The median price of a home in Council Bluffs is around $93,000 while the national median price is near $189,000, making Council Bluffs living very affordable. 

Schools, Health and Transportation

Public education in the city of Council Bluffs is provided by two school districts: Council Bluffs Community School District and Lewis Central Community School District. Most of the city is located within the Council Bluffs Community School District, which operates the following: 14 elementary schools, three middle schools, three high schools. For more information on the Council Bluffs Community School District, visit their website: www.cb-schools.org. For more information on the Lewis Central Community School District, visit their website: www.lewiscentral.org.

There are several private schools in Council Bluffs, including Heartland Christian School, Liberty Christian School, Saint Albert Catholic Schools, and Trinity Lutheran Interparish School.

The Iowa School for the Deaf is open to all students in both Iowa and Nebraska who are younger than 21 and whose hearing loss places them at a disadvantage in the public schools. Iowa Western Community College (IWCC) is located on the eastern edge of Council Bluffs near the intersection of Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 6. Buena Vista University also has a location in Council Bluffs and partners with IWCC to offer bachelor's degree completion programs to IWCC graduates.

Council Bluffs has two large hospitals, Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital and CHI Health Mercy, in the heart of the city. There are also a large variety of walk-in and specialty clinics available.

The city is well served by Interstate 80, Interstate 29, U.S. Route 6, and the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway. The Union Pacific, BNSF, Iowa Interstate, and Canadian National Railroads all connect in Council Bluffs and carry important freight traffic.