Council Bluffs ZIP Codes — Pottawattamie County, IA

There are 3 unique ZIP codes in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Area code: 712.

ZIP codes

145.63

sq mi land

3.88

sq mi water

712

area code

Council Bluffs, IA ZIP code map

About Council Bluffs, IA

Council Bluffs, Iowa, is a vibrant city located in the heart of Pottawattamie County. This city is characterized by its rich history, diverse community, and strategic location just across the Missouri River from Omaha, Nebraska. With a variety of cultural and recreational offerings, Council Bluffs serves as an attractive place for both residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Council Bluffs is situated in southwestern Iowa, directly adjacent to Omaha, Nebraska, which is about 3 miles away. The city covers a total land area of 145.63 square miles and includes 3.88 square miles of water. The terrain features a mix of urban and suburban development, with parks and recreational areas spread throughout its landscape.

Community & economy

Council Bluffs has a friendly and welcoming character, with a strong sense of community among its residents. The city is home to a diverse range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and retail, which contribute to its economic stability. Daily life in Council Bluffs is enriched by local events, parks, and cultural activities, fostering a family-oriented atmosphere.

Transportation

Residents of Council Bluffs benefit from convenient access to major highways, including I-80 and I-29, which provide easy travel to nearby cities. The nearest airport is Eppley Airfield in Omaha, just a short drive across the river, offering numerous flight options. Public transit services are available, connecting the city with surrounding areas for more accessible commuting.

History

Council Bluffs was originally founded in the mid-19th century, with its strategic location making it a key site for westward expansion. The city developed around the railroads and became an important hub for the transportation of goods and people. Notable events, such as the presence of Lewis and Clark in the area, highlight its historical significance in early American exploration.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Council Bluffs is that it hosts the annual 'Railroad Days' festival, celebrating the city's rich railroad heritage. Additionally, it is home to the historic 'Union Pacific Railroad Museum,' which attracts history enthusiasts from all over the country.

ZIP codes for Council Bluffs, IA (3)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
51501	Council Bluffs	Pottawattamie	View map
51502	Council Bluffs	Pottawattamie	View map
51503	Council Bluffs	Pottawattamie	View map

Demographics & statistics

72,481

Population

39.4

Median age

$66,297

Median household income

$33,754

Per capita income

$180,100

Median home value

$965

Median monthly rent

66.4%

Home ownership

12.2%

Poverty rate

3.7%

Unemployment

21,402

Housing units

23.2%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

2,056

Under 5

2,090

2,345

5–9

2,383

2,386

10–14

2,424

2,459

15–19

2,499

2,249

20–24

2,285

4,445

25–34

4,517

4,652

35–44

4,728

4,203

45–54

4,271

2,430

55–59

2,470

2,508

60–64

2,549

3,729

65–74

3,790

1,780

75–84

1,808

707

85+

718

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	16,595	22.9%
18 and over	55,886	77.2%
65 and over	12,532	17.3%
Median age	39.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 84.9%

Two or more races 5.4%

Hispanic or Latino 4.7%

Other race 1.9%

Black or African American 1.8%

Asian 1.1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	64,539	84.9%
Two or more races	4,143	5.4%
Hispanic or Latino	3,566	4.7%
Other race	1,416	1.9%
Black or African American	1,365	1.8%
Asian	799	1.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	161	0.2%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	58	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 4.5%

$10k–$15k 4.3%

$15k–$25k 7.8%

$25k–$35k 11.0%

$35k–$50k 10.9%

$50k–$75k 18.7%

$75k–$100k 13.5%

$100k–$150k 17.6%

$150k–$200k 7.2%

$200k+ 4.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.5%
$10k–$15k	4.3%
$15k–$25k	7.8%
$25k–$35k	11.0%
$35k–$50k	10.9%
$50k–$75k	18.7%
$75k–$100k	13.5%
$100k–$150k	17.6%
$150k–$200k	7.2%
$200k+	4.8%
Median income	$66,297

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 6.3%

$50k–$100k 13.9%

$100k–$150k 22.8%

$150k–$200k 21.2%

$200k–$300k 18.4%

$300k–$500k 13.7%

$500k–$1M 3.2%

$1M+ 0.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$180,100
Median rent / month	$965
Owner occupied	66.4%
Renter occupied	33.6%
Vacant	6.6%
Single-family detached	71.2%
Large apartment buildings	7.2%
Mobile homes	4.6%
Median rooms	5.6
Avg household size (owned)	2.52

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.2%
2010–2019	4.6%
2000–2009	12.8%
1990–1999	10.7%
1980–1989	5.9%
1970–1979	12.7%
1960–1969	9.6%
1950–1959	12.3%
1940–1949	4.1%
1939 or earlier	27.3%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.4%
1 bedroom	10.2%
2 bedrooms	31.2%
3 bedrooms	40.7%
4 bedrooms	12.2%
5+ bedrooms	3.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	7.3%
1 vehicle	33.9%
2 vehicles	37.9%
3 or more	21.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	77.2%
Electricity	17.9%
Propane / LP gas	3.7%
Fuel oil	0.1%
Wood	0.2%
No fuel used	0.5%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	12,592	43.2%
Cohabiting couple	2,646	9.1%
Male householder, no spouse	5,789	19.9%
Female householder, no spouse	8,113	27.9%
Households with children under 18	8,075	27.7%
Households with seniors (65+)	9,048	31.0%
Average household size	2.42

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	38.3%	29.3%
Married	46.4%	44.1%
Separated	1.2%	1.3%
Widowed	2.8%	9.5%
Divorced	11.5%	15.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.0%

Some HS, no diploma 7.4%

HS graduate 33.4%

Some college, no degree 22.3%

Associate's degree 10.9%

Bachelor's degree 15.7%

Graduate / professional 7.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	89.7%
Bachelor's or higher	23.2%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	994	5.9%
Kindergarten	1,008	6.0%
Elementary school	7,223	42.5%
High school	3,825	22.5%
College / grad school	4,029	23.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 23.7%

Retail trade 13.8%

Manufacturing 10.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 10.1%

Professional & management 8.0%

Finance & real estate 7.8%

Transportation & utilities 7.2%

Construction 6.6%

Other services 4.5%

Public administration 3.2%

Wholesale trade 3.0%

Information 1.2%

Agriculture & mining 1.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	34.4%
Service	18.0%
Sales & office	21.5%
Natural resources & construction	9.5%
Production & transportation	16.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	83.7%
Government	11.6%
Self-employed	4.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.2%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	81.3%
Carpool	7.9%
Public transit	0.4%
Walk	1.8%
Other means	1.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	19.2

Poverty

All people 12.2%

Under 18 years 17.3%

18 and over 10.7%

Married-couple families 3.8%

Female-led households 23.6%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	32.1%
Retirement income	23.1%
Supplemental Security	6.7%
Cash public assistance	2.3%
Food stamps / SNAP	11.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	32.7%
High cholesterol	31.1%
Heart disease	6.4%
Stroke	3.0%
Asthma	10.0%
Arthritis	25.6%
Kidney disease	2.8%
Pulmonary disease	7.1%
Cancer	6.5%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	22.1%
No physical activity	27.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.4%
Fair or poor health	13.9%
Poor mental health	14.8%
Poor physical health	10.0%
No health insurance	11.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	73.7%
Visited dentist	61.4%
Cholesterol screening	85.9%
Teeth loss	14.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	4,871	8.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.1%
Under 18	7.1%
18–64 years	12.9%
65 and over	39.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	66.8%
Public insurance	40.0%
Uninsured under 19	2.9%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	68,335	94.3%
Spanish	1,897	2.8%
Other Indo-European	1,602	2.4%
Asian & Pacific Islander	42	0.1%
Other languages	219	0.3%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	69,238	95.5%
Born in same state	68,546	94.5%
Born in different state	37,142	51.3%
Foreign born	692	1.0%
Naturalized citizen	3,243	4.5%
Not a US citizen	1,458	47.2%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	9,668	13.3%
French	7,762	10.7%
Arab	4,131	5.7%
Dutch	2,459	3.4%
Polish	1,849	2.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	1,086	1.5%
German	127	0.2%
Irish	67	0.1%
Norwegian	42	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.3%
Internet access	91.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Council Bluffs, IA have?

Council Bluffs, IA has two ZIP codes: 51501 and 51503. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.