County · Iowa
Pottawattamie County, Iowa
Pottawattamie County, Iowa. Pottawattamie County had 92,996 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.7% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. It holds 18 places (15 cities, villages and boroughs and 3 census-designated) and 30 census tracts. GEOID 19155.
Pottawattamie County is one of the 8 counties of the Omaha, NE-IA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
92,996
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 93,667 · ACS 2020-2024: 93,424
Median household income
$73,602
±$1,625 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$195,700
±$4,560 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$1,018
±$33 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Pottawattamie County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 93,667 residents in Pottawattamie County. The Census Bureau estimates 92,996 for July 1, 2025, down 0.7% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 93,424 over 951 square miles of land.
| Measure | Pottawattamie County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 93,424 | 3,210,507 | +31 |
| Households | 37,642±389 | 1,315,707 | +843 |
| Average household size | 2.41±0.02 | 2.36 | −0.07 |
| Housing units | 40,083±98 | 1,437,699 | no clear change |
Pottawattamie County's population since 2000
From 87,704 in 2000 to 92,996 in 2025: up 6.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Pottawattamie County?
Pottawattamie County holds 18 places: 15 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Council Bluffs with 62,680 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Council Bluffs | 62,799 | $64,578 |
|---|---|---|
| Carter Lake | 3,791 | $85,349 |
| Avoca | 1,683 | $73,056 |
| Oakland | 1,524 | $81,354 |
| Treynor | 1,032 | $121,696 |
| Underwood | 954 | $105,341 |
| Neola | 918 | $73,306 |
| Carson | 766 | $73,403 |
| Walnut | 747 | $62,500 |
| CrescentGEOID 1917175 | 628 | $116,042 |
| Minden | 600 | $109,167 |
| MacedoniaGEOID 1947955 | 267 | $71,042 |
| HancockGEOID 1934005 | 200 | $82,083 |
| McClellandGEOID 1947865 | 146 | $108,125 |
| BentleyGEOID 1905870 | 93 | not published |
| WestonGEOID 1984495 | 78 | not published |
| LovelandGEOID 1946785 | 36 | not published |
| Shelby | 727 | $63,654 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Pottawattamie County?
The median resident of Pottawattamie County is 40.1 years old; 22.9% are under 18 and 18.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 84.5%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 9.1%. 4.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Pottawattamie County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.1±0.3 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.9%±0.1 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.7%±0.1 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.1% | 7.3% | +1.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 84.5%±0.3 pts | 82.3% | −3.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.8%±0.4 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.2 pts | 2.5% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.0%±0.6 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.0%±0.4 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.9%±0.7 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.4%±0.5 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 15.7%±0.9 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.0%±0.6 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.7%±0.8 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 23.6%±1.1 pts | 31.4% | +2.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.9%±0.8 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.6%±0.4 pts | 2.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Pottawattamie County earn?
Half of Pottawattamie County's 37,642 households earn less than $73,602 a year (±$1,625), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $73,922 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Pottawattamie County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $73,602±$1,625 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $91,780±$2,517 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,477±$917 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.1%±1.1 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.2%±2.8 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.8%±0.8 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.2%±1.3 pts | 88.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Pottawattamie County?
Owners occupy 69.9% of Pottawattamie County's occupied homes and renters 30.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $195,700 by its owner (±$4,560). The median renter pays $1,018 a month including utilities, and 33.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Pottawattamie County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $195,700±$4,560 | $208,000 | +$23,649 |
| Median gross rent | $1,018±$33 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.6%±3.1 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,495±$28 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.9%±1.5 pts | 71.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 40,083±98 | 1,437,699 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.9%±1.0 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 75.9%±1.5 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.5%±0.8 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.2 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 25.8%±1.2 pts | 23.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Pottawattamie County building?
Builders took permits for 334 new housing units across Pottawattamie County in 2025 (122 single-family), 3.6 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Pottawattamie County get to work?
79.8% of Pottawattamie County's workers drive alone and 9.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.8%.
| Measure | Pottawattamie County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.4%±0.9 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8%±0.6 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.8%±1.5 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.7%±0.9 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.8%±0.5 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.8%±0.9 pts | 11.3% | +6.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.8 min±0.5 | 19.8 min | −1.0 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Pottawattamie County's census tracts?
Pottawattamie County is divided into 30 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $26,231 (Tract 309) to $120,745 (Tract 216.02).
All 30 census tracts of Pottawattamie County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Pottawattamie County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 10th of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 42nd of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 11th of 99 |
| Median household income | 34th of 99 |
| Median home value | 24th of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 5th of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 29th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 38th of 99 |
| Median age | 72nd of 99 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Pottawattamie County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.