Council Bluffs Airbnb Market Analysis 2025: Short Term Rental Data & Vacation Rental Statistics in Iowa, United States
Is Airbnb profitable in Council Bluffs in 2025? Explore comprehensive Airbnb analytics for Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States to uncover income potential. This 2025 STR market report for Council Bluffs, based on AirROI data from April 2024 to March 2025, reveals key trends in the niche market of 88 active listings.
Whether you're considering an Airbnb investment in Council Bluffs, optimizing your existing vacation rental, or exploring rental arbitrage opportunities, understanding the Council Bluffs Airbnb data is crucial. Leveraging the low regulation environment is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Let's dive into the specifics.
Key Council Bluffs Airbnb Performance Metrics Overview
Monthly Airbnb Revenue Variations & Income Potential in Council Bluffs (2025)
Understanding the monthly revenue variations for Airbnb listings in Council Bluffs is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Seasonality significantly impacts earnings. Our analysis, based on data from the past 12 months, shows that the peak revenue month for STRs in Council Bluffs is typically June, while February often presents the lowest earnings, highlighting opportunities for strategic pricing adjustments during shoulder and low seasons. Explore the typical Airbnb income in Council Bluffs across different performance tiers:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve $4,067+ monthly, often utilizing dynamic pricing and superior guest experiences.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) earn $2,260 or more, indicating effective management and desirable locations/amenities.
- Typical properties (Median) generate around $1,445 per month, representing the average market performance.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) see earnings around $758, often with potential for optimization.
Average Monthly Airbnb Earnings Trend in Council Bluffs
Council Bluffs Airbnb Occupancy Rate Trends (2025)
Maximize your bookings by understanding the Council Bluffs STR occupancy trends. Seasonal demand shifts significantly influence how often properties are booked. Typically, Maysees the highest demand (peak season occupancy), while January experiences the lowest (low season). Effective strategies, like adjusting minimum stays or offering promotions, can boost occupancy during slower periods. Here's how different property tiers perform in Council Bluffs:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve 79%+ occupancy, indicating high desirability and potentially optimized availability.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) maintain 62% or higher occupancy, suggesting good market fit and guest satisfaction.
- Typical properties (Median) have an occupancy rate around 41%.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) average 22% occupancy, potentially facing higher vacancy.
Average Monthly Occupancy Rate Trend in Council Bluffs
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Airbnb Trends in Council Bluffs (2025)
Effective short term rental pricing strategy in Council Bluffs involves understanding monthly ADR fluctuations. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Council Bluffs typically peaks in June and dips lowest during February. Leveraging Airbnb dynamic pricing tools or strategies based on this seasonality can significantly boost revenue. Here's a look at the typical nightly rates achieved:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) command rates of $317+ per night, often due to premium features or locations.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) achieve nightly rates of $157 or more.
- Typical properties (Median) charge around $112 per night.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) earn around $80 per night.
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Trend by Month in Council Bluffs
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Airbnb Seasonality Analysis & Trends in Council Bluffs (2025)
Peak Season (June, May, July)
- Revenue averages $2,842 per month
- Occupancy rates average 51.7%
- Daily rates average $162
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $1,935 per month
- Occupancy maintains around 42.6%
- Daily rates hold near $153
Low Season (January, February, March)
- Revenue drops to average $1,238 per month
- Occupancy decreases to average 34.3%
- Daily rates adjust to average $142
Seasonality Insights for Council Bluffs
- The Airbnb seasonality in Council Bluffs shows highly seasonal trends requiring careful strategy. While the sections above show seasonal averages, it's also insightful to look at the extremes:
- During the high season, the absolute peak month showcases Council Bluffs's highest earning potential, with monthly revenues capable of climbing to $3,174, occupancy reaching a high of 52.2%, and ADRs peaking at $167.
- Conversely, the slowest single month of the year, typically falling within the low season, marks the market's lowest point. In this month, revenue might dip to $977, occupancy could drop to 33.3%, and ADRs may adjust down to $141.
- Understanding both the seasonal averages and these monthly peaks and troughs in revenue, occupancy, and ADR is crucial for maximizing your Airbnb profit potential in Council Bluffs.
Seasonal Strategies for Maximizing Profit
- Peak Season: Maximize revenue through premium pricing and potentially longer minimum stays. Ensure high availability.
- Low Season: Offer competitive pricing, special promotions (e.g., extended stay discounts), and flexible cancellation policies. Target off-season travelers like remote workers or budget-conscious guests.
- Shoulder Seasons: Implement dynamic pricing that balances peak and low rates. Target weekend travelers or specific events. Offer slightly more flexible terms than peak season.
- Regularly analyze your own performance against these Council Bluffs seasonality benchmarks and adjust your pricing and availability strategy accordingly.
Best Areas for Airbnb Investment in Council Bluffs (2025)
Exploring the top neighborhoods for short-term rentals in Council Bluffs? This section highlights key areas, outlining why they are attractive for hosts and guests, along with notable local attractions. Consider these locations based on your target guest profile and investment strategy.
Neighborhood / Area | Why Host Here? (Target Guests & Appeal) | Key Attractions & Landmarks |
---|---|---|
Downtown Council Bluffs | The hub of activity with restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions. Ideal for visitors attending events at the nearby CenturyLink Center and the riverfront promenade. | CenturyLink Center, Harrah's Casino, Union Pacific Railroad Museum, Lewis and Clark Monument, River's Edge Park |
Tanger Outlet Mall | A popular shopping destination just across the river from Omaha. Great for families and shoppers looking for deals, increasing overnight stays in the area. | Tanger Outlet, Lake Manawa, Shopping and dining options |
Lake Manawa | A beautiful natural area with a lake, offering recreation opportunities such as boating, fishing, and picnicking. Attractive to nature lovers and families looking for outdoor activities. | Lake Manawa State Park, Boating and fishing, Trails and picnic areas, Wildlife watching |
Midtown | A diverse neighborhood offering a mix of residential areas and commercial spaces. Close to the vibrant arts scene and local eateries, appealing to a variety of guests. | Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Local cafes and restaurants, Community events and festivals |
East Council Bluffs | Quiet residential areas with easy access to Omaha, making it attractive to visitors who want to explore both cities without the hustle and bustle. | Local parks, Access to Interstate 80, Residential vibe close to city attractions |
West Broadway | Known for its mix of businesses and entertainment options, it is a convenient location for travelers looking for local dining and nightlife. | Local diners and bars, Small shops, Proximity to public transport |
Historic 100 Block | Rich in history with charming architecture, this area draws visitors interested in heritage and culture, great for historical tours and community events. | Historic buildings, Local art galleries, Community events, Revitalized shops |
North Council Bluffs | A growing area with new developments and family-friendly attractions, it provides easy access to parks and recreational facilities, perfect for families visiting the area. | Parks and recreational areas, Community centers, Shopping options |
Understanding Airbnb License Requirements & STR Laws in Council Bluffs (2025)
While Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States currently shows low STR regulations, specific Airbnb license requirements might still exist or change. Always verify the latest short term rental regulations and Airbnb license requirements directly with local government authorities for Council Bluffs to ensure full compliance before hosting.
(Source: AirROI data, 2025, finding no licensed listings among those analyzed)
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Council Bluffs (2025)
Benchmark your potential! Explore examples of top-performing Airbnb properties in Council Bluffsbased on Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) revenue. Analyze their characteristics, revenue, occupancy rate, and ADR to understand what drives success in this market.

Majestic VIEWS! FunAmenities & Best for Huge Group
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms

Fully fenced family home near center of Omaha
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms

High St. Haven. Historic Gibraltar neighborhood.
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms

Cozy Lakeside Cottage for Families and Fun Seekers
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms

Midcentury Tranquil Escape: Your Peaceful Retreat.
Entire Place • 1 bedroom

Cozy Midwest Home away from Home
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Note: Performance varies based on location, size, amenities, seasonality, and management quality. Data reflects the past 12 months.
Top Performing Airbnb Hosts in Council Bluffs (2025)
Learn from the best! This table showcases top-performing Airbnb hosts in Council Bluffs based on the number of properties managed and estimated total revenue over the past year. Analyze their scale and performance metrics.
Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|
Melissa | 6 | $196,514 | 1359 | 4.94/5.0 |
Jireh | 1 | $127,868 | 31 | 4.84/5.0 |
Doug | 14 | $86,825 | 31 | 2.50/5.0 |
Nick | 1 | $78,783 | 104 | 4.94/5.0 |
Amber | 1 | $73,340 | 30 | 5.00/5.0 |
Sheri | 2 | $50,400 | 146 | 4.83/5.0 |
John | 3 | $44,098 | 10 | 3.33/5.0 |
Amanda | 1 | $43,512 | 78 | 4.92/5.0 |
Jean | 1 | $35,475 | 59 | 5.00/5.0 |
Eric | 2 | $32,253 | 113 | 4.95/5.0 |
Analyzing the strategies of top hosts, such as their property selection, pricing, and guest communication, can offer valuable lessons for optimizing your own Airbnb operations in Council Bluffs.
Dive Deeper: Advanced Council Bluffs STR Market Data (2025)
Ready to unlock more insights? AirROI provides access to advanced metrics and comprehensive Airbnb data for Council Bluffs. Explore detailed analytics beyond this report to refine your investment strategy, optimize pricing, and maximize your vacation rental profits.
Explore Advanced MetricsCouncil Bluffs Short-Term Rental Market Composition (2025): Property & Room Types
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Market Composition Insights for Council Bluffs
- The Council Bluffs Airbnb market composition is heavily skewed towards Entire Home/Apt listings, which make up 80.7% of the 88 active rentals. This indicates strong guest preference for privacy and space.
- Looking at the property type distribution in Council Bluffs, House properties are the most common (69.3%), reflecting the local real estate landscape.
- Houses represent a significant 69.3% portion, catering likely to families or larger groups.
- The presence of 5.7% Hotel/Boutique listings indicates integration with traditional hospitality.
- Smaller segments like others, outdoor/unique (combined 5.6%) offer potential for unique stay experiences.
Council Bluffs Airbnb Room Capacity Analysis (2025): Bedroom Distribution
Distribution of Listings by Number of Bedrooms
Room Capacity Insights for Council Bluffs
- The dominant room capacity in Council Bluffs is 2 bedrooms listings, making up 46.6% of the market. This suggests a strong demand for properties suitable for couples or solo travelers.
- Together, 2 bedrooms and 1 bedroom properties represent 69.3% of the active Airbnb listings in Council Bluffs, indicating a high concentration in these sizes.
Council Bluffs Vacation Rental Guest Capacity Trends (2025)
Distribution of Listings by Guest Capacity
Guest Capacity Insights for Council Bluffs
- The most common guest capacity trend in Council Bluffs vacation rentals is listings accommodating 4 guests (38.6%). This suggests the primary traveler segment is likely small families or groups.
- Properties designed for 4 guests and 6 guests dominate the Council Bluffs STR market, accounting for 54.5% of listings.
- 32.9% of properties accommodate 6+ guests, serving the market segment for larger families or group travel in Council Bluffs.
- On average, properties in Council Bluffs are equipped to host 4.3 guests.
Council Bluffs Airbnb Booking Patterns (2025): Available vs. Booked Days
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Booking Pattern Insights for Council Bluffs
- The most common availability pattern in Council Bluffs falls within the 271-366 days range, representing 46.6% of listings. This suggests many properties have significant open periods on their calendars.
- Approximately 73.9% of listings show high availability (181+ days open annually), indicating potential for increased bookings or specific owner usage patterns.
- For booked days, the 31-90 days range is most frequent in Council Bluffs (28.4%), reflecting common guest stay durations or potential owner blocking patterns.
- A notable 28.4% of properties secure long booking periods (181+ days booked per year), highlighting successful long-term rental strategies or significant owner usage.
Council Bluffs Airbnb Minimum Stay Requirements Analysis
Distribution of Listings by Minimum Night Requirement
1 Night
34 listings
40% of total
2 Nights
21 listings
24.7% of total
3 Nights
19 listings
22.4% of total
7-29 Nights
9 listings
10.6% of total
30+ Nights
2 listings
2.4% of total
Key Insights
- The most prevalent minimum stay requirement in Council Bluffs is 1 Night, adopted by 40% of listings. This highlights the market's preference for shorter, flexible bookings.
- A strong majority (64.7%) of the Council Bluffs Airbnb data shows acceptance of very short stays (1-2 nights), indicating a dynamic, high-turnover market.
- Dedicated monthly rentals (30+ nights) represent a small niche (2.4%), possibly an untapped area for hosts.
Recommendations
- Align with the market by considering a 1 Night minimum stay, as 40% of Council Bluffs hosts use this setting.
- Adjust minimum nights based on seasonality – potentially shorter during low season and longer during peak demand periods in Council Bluffs.
Council Bluffs Airbnb Cancellation Policy Trends Analysis (2025)
Flexible
25 listings
35.7% of total
Moderate
25 listings
35.7% of total
Firm
11 listings
15.7% of total
Strict
9 listings
12.9% of total
Cancellation Policy Insights for Council Bluffs
- The prevailing Airbnb cancellation policy trend in Council Bluffs is Flexible, used by 35.7% of listings.
- The market strongly favors guest-friendly terms, with 71.4% of listings offering Flexible or Moderate policies. This suggests guests in Council Bluffs may expect booking flexibility.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Consider adopting a Flexible policy to align with the 35.7% market standard in Council Bluffs.
- Using a Strict policy might deter some guests, as only 12.9% of listings use it. Evaluate if potential revenue protection outweighs possible lower booking rates.
- Regularly review your cancellation policy against competitors and market demand shifts in Council Bluffs.
Council Bluffs STR Booking Lead Time Analysis (2025)
Average Booking Lead Time by Month
Booking Lead Time Insights for Council Bluffs
- The overall average booking lead time for vacation rentals in Council Bluffs is 35 days.
- Guests book furthest in advance for stays during June (average 78 days), likely coinciding with peak travel demand or local events.
- The shortest booking windows occur for stays in August (average 20 days), indicating more last-minute travel plans during this time.
- Seasonally, Spring (43 days avg.) sees the longest lead times, while Fall (26 days avg.) has the shortest, reflecting typical travel planning cycles.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Use the overall average lead time (35 days) as a baseline for your pricing and availability strategy in Council Bluffs.
- For June stays, consider implementing length-of-stay discounts or slightly higher rates for bookings made less than 78 days out to capitalize on advance planning.
- Target marketing efforts for the Spring season well in advance (at least 43 days) to capture early planners.
- Monitor your own booking lead times against these Council Bluffs averages to identify opportunities for dynamic pricing adjustments.
Popular & Essential Airbnb Amenities in Council Bluffs (2025)
Amenity Prevalence
Amenity Insights for Council Bluffs
- Essential amenities in Council Bluffs that guests expect include: Wifi, Air conditioning. Lacking these (any) could significantly impact bookings.
- Popular amenities like Heating, Smoke alarm, TV are common but not universal. Offering these can provide a competitive edge.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Ensure your listing includes all essential amenities for Council Bluffs: Wifi, Air conditioning.
- Prioritize adding missing essentials: Air conditioning.
- Consider adding popular differentiators like Heating or Smoke alarm to increase appeal.
- Highlight unique or less common amenities you offer (e.g., hot tub, dedicated workspace, EV charger) in your listing description and photos.
- Regularly check competitor amenities in Council Bluffs to stay competitive.
Council Bluffs Airbnb Guest Demographics & Profile Analysis (2025)
Guest Profile Summary for Council Bluffs
- The typical guest profile for Airbnb in Council Bluffs consists of primarily domestic travelers (97%), often arriving from nearby Omaha, typically belonging to the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group (50%), primarily speaking English or Spanish.
- Domestic travelers account for 96.6% of guests.
- Key international markets include United States (96.6%) and Canada (1%).
- Top languages spoken are English (75.4%) followed by Spanish (10.5%).
- A significant demographic segment is the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group, representing 50% of guests.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Target domestic marketing efforts towards travelers from Omaha and Kansas City.
- Tailor amenities and listing descriptions to appeal to the dominant Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) demographic (e.g., highlight fast WiFi, smart home features, local guides).
- Highlight unique local experiences or amenities relevant to the primary guest profile.
- Consider seasonal promotions aligned with peak travel times for key origin markets.
Nearby Short-Term Rental Market Comparison
How does the Council Bluffs Airbnb market stack up against its neighbors? Compare key performance metrics like average monthly revenue, ADR, and occupancy rates in surrounding areas to understand the broader regional STR landscape.
Market | Active Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Avg. Occupancy |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jefferson Precinct | 10 | $4,974 | $365.57 | 50% |
Gretna | 10 | $3,791 | $286.30 | 44% |
Chicago Precinct | 24 | $3,331 | $233.81 | 50% |
Bellevue | 40 | $2,931 | $220.15 | 51% |
Glenwood | 11 | $2,480 | $195.88 | 43% |
Storm Lake | 11 | $2,228 | $199.52 | 38% |
Papillion | 27 | $2,104 | $174.59 | 54% |
Bethany | 12 | $2,094 | $186.65 | 38% |
Lincoln | 344 | $2,021 | $162.40 | 47% |
Maryville | 25 | $1,991 | $161.48 | 40% |