Council Bluffs, IA Rent To Own Homes

Rent-to-Own Homes in Council Bluffs, IA: What You Need to Know

Council Bluffs, Iowa got its start as a rare outpost where white settlers and local Native populations lived in relative harmony. This was due to a Canadian military veteran, by the name of Billy Caldwell, who was half-white and half-Potawatomi Indian, moving into the area then known as Traders Point. Upon his arrival in the mid-1820s, Caldwell assumed the role of chief of the local Potawatomi band, proceeding to negotiate treaties with the U.S. government on behalf of Native peoples. The settlement was renamed Council Bluffs in the 1850s because of its proximity to a council between the Lewis & Clark Expedition and the Otoe tribe. The Union Pacific Railroad arrived after the Civil War. 

How Many People Live in Council Bluffs, IA?

The most recent and accurate estimates have the general population of Council Bluffs, Iowa standing at 62,166. In the last decade, this number has declined slightly, by about one-tenth of a percent. Caucasian people comprise 91% of Council Bluffs residents, and African-Americans comprise 2.5%, while Asians are 1% of the population, Latino/Hispanic residents are over 10%, reflecting some racial overlap.

Council Bluffs, IA Weather and Climate

The sun shines on this city for about 211 days each year. At other times, Council Bluffs lives with 32 inches of rain annually. In July (when the corn is knee-high!), high daytime temperatures ordinarily reach 87ºF. When the earth is on the other side of the sun, however, January overnight low temps descend to 13ºF or lower. Snow is also heaviest at this time of year, and the sky can drop 25 inches of it before all is said and done.

What are the Best Job Opportunities in Council Bluffs, IA?

Over the years, gaming has found a home in Council Bluffs. Among the largest employers is Ameristar Casino Hotel, with 1,300 workers on staff. Harrah's Casino Hotel employs nearly that many, coming in at 1,100. Being so close to farming and agriculture, the city also hosts Tyson Foods, where processing facilities keep 1,052 on the payrolls. Similarly, Conagra Frozen Foods carries a labor force of 800. Health care is also a major source of jobs. Alegent Health Mercy Hospital and Jennie Edmundson Hospital each support 800 medical, administrative, and support personnel.

Schools in Council Bluffs, IA

Public schools here operate under the auspices of the Council Bluffs Community School District. Among its institutions are 11 elementary schools, a middle school, two high schools, and an alternative learning center. Abraham Lincoln has a graduation rate of 89%, while Thomas Jefferson sees 84% of its seniors graduate on time. For students that struggle academically, the Kanesville Alternative Learning Center delivers specialized instruction so that such pupils can advance to the next grade and graduate from high school in a timely fashion. Iowa Western Community College is a two-year college in Council Bluffs.