Glenwood
The Mills County seat, with a historic downtown square full of local shops and restaurants, Glenwood Lake Park, and the Loess Hills right out the back door.
Search Glenwood homes →Moving to Glenwood, Iowa & Southwest Iowa
WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
Small-town Iowa, minutes from the metro.
Glenwood is the county seat of Mills County, tucked into the Loess Hills just across the Missouri River from the Omaha metro. You get small-town Iowa, room to spread out, and an easy drive to Omaha, Bellevue, and Offutt Air Force Base.
< 15 miles
Glenwood to Offutt Air Force Base
25 min
Glenwood to the Omaha metro
~15,000
Mills County residents
2
Chamber sites to explore: livemillscounty.com & visitmillscounty.com
Towns We Know
FIND YOUR TOWN.
Malvern
A small town on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail, popular with cyclists and walkers.
Search Malvern homes →Silver City & Mineola
Quiet towns along the Wabash Trace. Thursday Taco Rides start at Tobey Jack's Steakhouse by the Mineola trailhead.
Search homes →Pacific Junction
Near I-29 and Highway 34 with quick access to the metro. Buyers looking along the Missouri River bottoms should always ask about flood zones and insurance.
Search Pacific Junction homes →Tabor, Hastings & Emerson
Small towns surrounded by acreages, for buyers who want room to roam while staying close to Glenwood.
See Land & Acreages →Council Bluffs
The largest city in Southwest Iowa, right across the river from Omaha.
Search Council Bluffs homes →Farther Out
Red Oak, Shenandoah, Clarinda, and Atlantic each have their own downtowns and small-town pace. Ask us about any of them.
Search homes →Local Life
SMALL TOWN. FULL CALENDAR.
Glenwood traditions run deep. A few locals never miss:
Homecoming Parade
The whole town lines the streets.
Lighting of the Square
The downtown square lights up each winter during the Holiday Festival, with a visit from Santa.
Shop Hop
Every November, a local favorite for holiday shopping.
Southwest Iowa Art Tour
Studios and galleries across the region open their doors.
Wednesday Night Farmers Markets
Summer evenings with local growers and makers.
Thursday Taco Rides
Summer bike rides from Tobey Jack's Steakhouse at the Wabash Trace trailhead in Mineola.
Dates change year to year. Check the Mills County Chamber's calendar at livemillscounty.com.
Get Outside
ROOM TO ROAM.
Glenwood Lake Park
Walking trails, campsites, and the historic Davies Amphitheater, home to summer concerts and community events.
The Loess Hills
Hiking, scenic drives, and some of the best fall color in Iowa, just west of town.
Wabash Trace Nature Trail
A former rail line turned trail for biking and walking through Mineola, Silver City, and Malvern.
Pony Creek Lake & Mile Hill Lake
Local favorites for fishing and kayaking.
Back Roads
Gravel roads wind through the hills, perfect for a slow weekend drive.
Explore
WHERE LOCALS EAT, SHOP & PLAY.
The Mills County Chamber of Commerce keeps the best up-to-date lists of places to eat, shop, and stay. A few of our favorites to get you started: a hometown meal at Tom & Tiff's Family Restaurant, something sweet from Sugar Makery, drinks at Parea or Keg Creek Brewing Company, and dinner at El Porton.
Live in Mills County → Jobs, local businesses, and community news. Visit Mills County → Where to eat, shop, stay, and play.
Want our personal favorites? Ask any of us; we've got opinions.
Settling In
YOUR FIRST-MONTH CHECKLIST.
Utilities
Water, sewer, and trash depend on your town; electricity and gas providers vary by address. We'll tell you exactly who serves your new home.
Property Taxes & Homestead Credit
Apply for Iowa's homestead tax credit through the Mills County Assessor after you move in. Veterans may qualify for additional credits.
Driver's License & Vehicles
Transfer your license through the Iowa DOT and register your vehicles with the county treasurer.
Schools
Mills County is served by several public school districts, including Glenwood Community Schools, East Mills, and Fremont-Mills. District lines don't always follow town lines, so check which district serves any home you're considering. Enrollment details are on each district's website.
Veterans
New to the area and served? The Mills County Veterans Affairs office can help with county, state, and federal benefits.
Veterans resources →Moving Questions, Answered
What county is Glenwood, Iowa in?
Glenwood is the county seat of Mills County, in Southwest Iowa. Mills County sits along the Missouri River directly across from the Omaha metro and includes towns like Malvern, Silver City, Pacific Junction, Emerson, and Hastings.
How far is Glenwood, Iowa from Omaha?
Glenwood is about 25 minutes from the Omaha metro and less than 15 miles from Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska. Many residents commute to jobs across the river and come home to small-town Iowa.
What is there to do in Mills County, Iowa?
Mills County has Glenwood Lake Park, the Loess Hills, the Wabash Trace Nature Trail through Malvern and Silver City, local festivals, and a growing list of restaurants and shops. The Mills County Chamber's visitmillscounty.com keeps an up-to-date list of places to eat, shop, and stay.
Should I live in Iowa or Nebraska if I work in Omaha?
It depends on your commute, budget, and priorities. Both sides of the river have great options, and property taxes, school districts, and price points differ. Several of our agents are licensed in both Iowa and Nebraska, so we can help you compare. See our Buying page for more.
Can Square Deal Real Estate help me buy a home before I move?
Yes. We regularly help buyers who are moving from out of state. We'll set up custom listing alerts, tour homes by video when you can't be here, and walk you through every step from pre-approval to closing.
Is Glenwood, Iowa a good place to live?
Many people choose Glenwood for its historic downtown square, Glenwood Lake Park, the Loess Hills, year-round community events, and a roughly 25-minute drive to the Omaha metro. Whether it's the right fit depends on your commute, budget, and the kind of home or land you want, and we're happy to talk it through.
What towns near Glenwood, Iowa are good for acreages?
Buyers looking for acreages often start around Malvern, Pacific Junction, Tabor, Silver City, Mineola, Hastings, and Emerson, where there's more land while staying close to Glenwood and the metro. See our Land & Acreages page for current listings and what to know before you buy.
Last updated: October 2026
THINKING ABOUT THE MOVE?
Tell us where you're coming from and what you're looking for. We'll help you figure out which town fits, even if you're a year out.