Council Bluffs, Iowa Income Statistics
Council Bluffs Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
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C
Council Bluffs Below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Council Bluffs | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $64,475 | $75,133 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $50,261 | $57,332 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 4.0% | 4.0% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.0% | 10.5% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 4.1% | 8.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Council Bluffs is about 14% lower than in Iowa. Income has been growing faster in Council Bluffs (4.0%/yr) than in Iowa (4.0%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Council Bluffs earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Iowa average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Council Bluffs, Iowa grew by 50.0% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $64,475 in 2024. That's an average of about 4.0% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Council Bluffs
| Metric | Council Bluffs | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.498 | 0.510 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $58,913 | $66,524 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $46,908 | $52,524 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 20.4% | 21.0% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Council Bluffs, it is 0.498, lower than Iowa's 0.510, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 26% more than women's income in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Over a 35-year career, a 26% wage gap accumulates to roughly $420,175 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Council Bluffs, Iowa has widened from about 18% to 20% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 22% in 2022, and was narrowest at 15% in 2011. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,975 since 2009.
Sharply against the trend: the pay gap in Council Bluffs widened by 2.3 points while Iowa's narrowed by 3.3 points.
Employment
| Metric | Council Bluffs | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 3.6% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 8.5% | 11.3% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 16 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 1,187 people are unemployed in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
The average commute time in Council Bluffs is 16 minutes, about the same as in Iowa.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Council Bluffs, Iowa has fallen from 7.8% to 4.1% in 2024. Over that period the rate fell as low as 3.8% in 2022.
Council Bluffs, IA Wealth Compared With Nearby Cities
How Council Bluffs, IA compares with the 1 cities closest to it.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Council Bluffs, IA | 56,893 | $64,475 #2/2 | 4.0%/yr #1/2 | 4.1% #2/2 | 0.498 #1/2 |
| Bellevue, NE | 49,054 | $84,337 | 3.8%/yr | 3.1% | 0.503 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Council Bluffs, Iowa has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with Iowa, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
How Rich Is Council Bluffs, Iowa?
Council Bluffs has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $64,475, about 14% lower than the Iowa average of $75,133.
How fast is household income rising in Council Bluffs, Iowa?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Council Bluffs, Iowa rose 50%, from $42,981 to $64,475. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Iowa as a whole: +50% against +56%.
What was the median household income in Council Bluffs in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Council Bluffs, Iowa was $62,570, up 6% from $59,256 in 2022. The Iowa median that year was $73,347.
What was the median household income in Council Bluffs in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Council Bluffs, Iowa was $53,224. By 2024 it had risen 21% to $64,475.
What is the Gini coefficient in Council Bluffs, Iowa?
The Gini coefficient in Council Bluffs is 0.498. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Council Bluffs, Iowa?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Council Bluffs, Iowa has widened from about 18% to 20% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 22% in 2022, and was narrowest at 15% in 2011. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,975 since 2009.
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