Pottawattamie County

Pottawattamie County is a county in western Iowa with Council Bluffs as its county seat, situated along the eastern bank of the Missouri River. The region includes various towns and rural areas shaped by the river's proximity and the major highways that pass through.

This county was established on September 21, 1848, and took its name from the Potawatomi Native American tribe who lived in the region during early European settlement. Those roots continue to shape the area's identity today.

The Iowa School for the Deaf in Council Bluffs establishes this county as a regional center for education and support services for deaf students across the state. This institution shapes community life and is woven into the local character.

Interstate Highways 29 and 80 cross through the county, providing direct connections to nearby metropolitan areas like Omaha and Des Moines. This road network makes getting around and visiting nearby regions straightforward.

Carter Lake sits on the western side of the Missouri River and forms a geographic enclave of Iowa surrounded by Nebraska. This unusual boundary came about because the river changed its course long ago.

Location: Iowa

Inception: September 21, 1848

Capital city: Council Bluffs

Elevation above the sea: 359 m

Shares border with: Harrison County, Mills County, Shelby County, Cass County, Montgomery County, Sarpy County, Douglas County, Washington County

Website: http://pottcounty.com

GPS coordinates: 41.33333,-95.53333

Latest update: December 22, 2025 13:27