Kane
RANK #338 / 996 NAT · #8 / 11 IA · POP 93,543
1YR FORECAST: +1.9%
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.
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
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 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 66/100, Pottawattamie County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +3.7%, and median household income stands at $68,718 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in IA.
By national standards, Pottawattamie County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $169,400, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.41 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $956/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in Pottawattamie County are hiring — job growth of +3.7% — but the population is close to flat (-0.0% YoY). Home values moved +1.7% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.47% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Pottawattamie County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.