Every day people call the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce asking for information about our city. The following is our attempt to answer some of the more frequent questions.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in the Council Bluffs-Omaha metropolitan area is well below the national average. In the 2000 general index that measures the cost of living nationwide, the area was 4.7% below the national average, and in housing, it was 9.6% below the national average.


Climate

The weather in Council Bluffs will allow you to experience the beauty of spring, summer, fall and winter. The summers are typically warm and the winters are a dry cold. Most precipitation occurs April through September in the form of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. The average winter temperature is 24.8 degrees while the average summer temperature is 73.8 degrees.


Geography

Council Bluffs is located in Southwest Iowa on the banks of the Missouri Riven The town extends from the banks of the river to the rich scenic Loess Hills and is located in Pottawattamie County. The elevation of the city is 1,289 feet above sea level. Council Bluffs surrounds a centralized business district. Interstates 80 and 29 intersect in the southern portion of the city which is served by two regional shopping areas. The city limits of Council Bluffs cover 42 square miles.


Population

The population of the city of Council Bluffs is 58,268 while Pottawattamie County has a population of 87,704. The state of Iowa has a population of 2,862,447. The city is part of a five-county metropolitan area, including Cass, Douglas, Sarpy and Washington Counties in Nebraska and Pottawattamie County in Iowa. The city of Omaha has a population of 390,007, making it the 48th largest city in the United States. The metro area is the 63rd largest in the nation with a population of 716,998. There are over one million people who live within 50 miles of Council Bluffs.


Average Household Size

Council Bluffs 2.5
Metropolitan area 2.5


Per Capita Personal Income

The per capita income for the city of Council Bluffs to $36,738 and $39,188 for Pottawattamie County. Per capita income is the estimated average amount per person of total money income received during the calendar year for all persons residing in a jurisdiction. Per capita income also includes non-cash income which is a dollar evaluation of all services provided to the individual.


Median Age

The median age in the city of Council Bluffs is 34.6. This is slightly older than the national average of 32.6.


Taxes

*Income Taxes

The state of Iowa taxes wages and compensation that are subject to federal withholding and subject to Iowa withholding.

For more information regarding rate of taxation for income, contact the Iowa Department of Revenue and Finance at (800) 367-3388.


Property Tax

Property in Iowa is assessed every year. There are 93 taxing districts in Pottawattamie County. The roll back is 67.51% of the assessed value. In the city of Council Bluffs, the tax rate is $37.10 per $1,000 of the roll back value. A homestead tax credit and military exemption are available. For more information regarding other tax districts, contact the county auditors office, 227 South Sixth Street. (712) 328-5700.


Sales Tax

Iowa sales tax applies to all goods and services except food and medicine, which are taxed 5%. The City of Council Bluffs and Pottawattamie County have a 1% local sales tax. Total sales tax is 6%.


Government

City

The City of Council Bluffs is operated under a nonpartisan Mayor/Council form, with the Mayor and five Council members elected at-large by a popular vote. To be eligible for election, you must be 18 years of age and a registered voter in the city of Council Bluffs. The Mayor is responsible for the day to day operation of the city and it is the responsibility of the Council to establish city policy and certify the budget. The council meets on the second and fourth Monday of every month at 7 p.m.

Mayor- Thomas P Hanafan (1998)

County

Pottawattamie County is operated under a five member Board of Supervisors elected at-large. To be eligible to be elected, you must be 18 years of age and a resident of the county. The Board of Supervisors meets every Monday and Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. Also elected are the county attorney, auditor recorder sheriff and treasurer.


Media

Newspapers

The two daily local newspapers include the Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil, located at 117 Pearl Street, Council Bluffs, Iowa, 31303 (712-328-1811); and the Omaha World-Herald, located at 14th and Dodge Street, Omaha, Nebraska, 68102(402444-1000). The area is served by numerous other weekly and community publications including The Bulletin, located at 152 Vine Street, Council Bluffs, Iowa, 31503 (712-323-1898); Midlands Business Journal, located at 11918 Poppleton Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska, 68144 (402-330-1760); and the Thrifty Nickel Want Ads, located at 42nd and Center Suite 202, Omaha, Nebraska, 68106 (402-3424426).


Radio

There are upwards of 20 radio stations operating in the Council Bluffs- Omaha metropolitan area. Formats range from rock to classical, country-western to Christian, easy-listening to all news radio.


Television

There are eight television stations in the area: KBIN, the Iowa PBS affiliate, Channel 32; KETV the ABC affiliate, Channel 17; KMTV, the CBS affiliate, Channel 3; KPTM, the FOX affiliate, Channel 42; KXVO, an independent station, Channel 15; KYNE, the Nebraska PBS affiliate, Channel 26; and WOWT, the NBC affiliate, Channel 6. Council Bluffs is also served by KPTM, a local cable-based station, Channel 17.


Area communities

Other communities in Pottawattamie County include Avoca, Carson, Carter Lake, Crescent, Hancock, Macedonia, McClelland, Minden, Neola, Oakland, Treynor, Underwood and Walnut.