Is Council Bluffs, IA 51501 a buyer’s or seller’s market?

The Council Bluffs housing market right now

In the three months ending August 31, 2026, 27% of homes in Council Bluffs, IA 51501 sold above their list price, the typical home went under contract in 22 days and there were 2 months of supply. Under four months of supply means sellers have the edge: expect competition for well-priced homes. That’s based on 106 home sales.

Compared with the same period a year earlier, the share selling over asking fell from 38%, homes sold faster (27 days then) and the median sale price rose 5% to $199,913. Overall, Council Bluffs is less competitive than a year ago, which gives buyers more room.

Within Pottawattamie County, homes here sell faster than in 83% of the county’s ZIP codes, and sell less often over asking than in 67%. On our competition score, Council Bluffs ranks #38 of 156 IA ZIP codes with enough sales (score 65 out of 100).

Nearby, buyers who want less competition could look at Underwood 51576 (0% sold over asking) or Carson 51525 (0% sold over asking), while Treynor 51575 (100% sold over asking) and Walnut 51577 (100% sold over asking) are even more competitive.