RANK #488 / 1001 NAT · #5 / 11 IA · POP 93,424
1YR FORECAST: +1.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +28%
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.
Pottawattamie County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +2.5% runs below the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.5x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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 1001 counties.
Pottawattamie County scores 51/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#488). Median household income is $73,602 and job growth is running at +1.0%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
By national standards, Pottawattamie County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $195,700, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.38 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,018/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Pottawattamie County are both close to flat — population +0.0% YoY and jobs +1.0%. Home values shifted +2.5% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
Not particularly — 1.78% of Pottawattamie County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.