Ames, IA โ€” City Data, Demographics & Statistics

Story County ยท Iowa

๐Ÿงฌ

City DNA

A unique fingerprint for Ames based on 8 key metrics โ€” compared to averages.

PopulationIncomeHome ValueSafetyEducationMedian AgeClimateCost of Living
Ames
National Avg
Iowa Avg
Population: 70Income: 40Home Value: 26Safety: 100Education: 41Median Age: 39Climate: 50Cost of Living: 52

Quick Stats

Population

66,112

2023 ACS

Median Income

$60,102

2023

Median Home Value

$263,800

2023

Median Rent

$1,040

2023

Median Age

23.3

Unemployment

6.4%

Cost of Living Index

104.8

100 = national avg

Ames is a city in Story County, Iowa, with a population of 66,112 according to the 2023 American Community Survey. Ames is one of the communities in Iowa.

The median household income in Ames is $60,102, and the median home value is $263,800. The cost of living index is 104.8 (where 100 = national average), and the median rent is $1,040 per month. The unemployment rate is 6.4%, and the median age is 23.3 years.

People & Demographics

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)

Population

Total Population

66,112

Male

34,992

52.9%

Female

31,120

47.1%

Median Age

23.3

Education & Household

Bachelor's or Higher

29.0%

High School or Higher

34.2%

Foreign Born

10.9%

Veterans

3.0%

Married

26.4%

Avg Household Size

2.1

Marital Status by Age

Race & Ethnicity

Diversity Index

0.360

Simpson's Index (0-1)

Largest Group

White

79.0%

Foreign Born

10.9%

White
79.0%
Black
3.7%
Asian
9.4%
Native American
0.6%
Pacific Islander
0.1%
Two or More
5.3%
Other
1.8%

Hispanic/Latino Ethnicity

Hispanic/Latino is an ethnicity, not a race. People of any race can identify as Hispanic. This percentage overlaps with the racial categories above.

Hispanic/Latino

4.9%

3,213 people

Not Hispanic/Latino

95.1%

Hispanic/Latino Detail

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)
Mexican
1,928 (60.0%)
Puerto Rican
203 (6.3%)
Cuban
58 (1.8%)
Salvadoran
24 (0.7%)
Guatemalan
192 (6.0%)
Colombian
27 (0.8%)
Honduran
42 (1.3%)
Peruvian
19 (0.6%)
Other Hispanic
721 (22.4%)

Asian Detail

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)
Asian Indian
1,069 (17.2%)
Chinese
1,878 (30.2%)
Filipino
316 (5.1%)
Vietnamese
421 (6.8%)
Korean
1,242 (20.0%)
Japanese
62 (1.0%)
Pakistani
107 (1.7%)
Hmong
20 (0.3%)
Thai
52 (0.8%)
Laotian
118 (1.9%)
Taiwanese
13 (0.2%)
Other Asian
926 (14.9%)

Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Detail

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)
Native Hawaiian
27 (29.0%)
Samoan
15 (16.1%)
Chamorro
9 (9.7%)
Tongan
9 (9.7%)
Other Pacific Islander
31 (33.3%)

American Indian & Alaska Native Detail

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)
Other Native American
386 (100.8%)

Languages Spoken

Total Speakers (5+)

64,006

English Only

86.6%

#1 Non-English Language

Other Indo-European

1,816 speakers

Limited English

4.2%

Language Distribution

Other Indo-European
1,816 (2.8%)
Chinese
1,634 (2.6%)
Spanish
1,112 (1.7%)
Korean
993 (1.6%)
Other Asian
789 (1.2%)
Other Languages
556 (0.9%)
Vietnamese
414 (0.6%)
German
394 (0.6%)
Slavic Languages
351 (0.5%)
Arabic
243 (0.4%)

English Proficiency

Speaks English Very Well

95.8%

Limited English Proficiency

4.2%

Other Indo-European
15.9% limited English
Chinese
60.8% limited English
Spanish
13.1% limited English
Korean
56.9% limited English
Other Asian
19.5% limited English
Other Languages
30.6% limited English
Vietnamese
51.0% limited English
German
9.6% limited English
Slavic Languages
29.3% limited English
Arabic
9.5% limited English

Veterans & Military

Total Veterans

1,995

3.0% of population

Disability Rate

32.5%

648 with disability

Veteran Median Income

$49,120

Unemployment Rate

18.1%

Period of Service

Gulf War (2001+)
39.6%
Gulf War (1990-2001)
8.7%
Vietnam
30.9%
Korea
3.0%
World War II
3.0%

Veteran Age Distribution

18-34
27.9%
35-54
14.8%
55-64
8.7%
65-74
23.1%
75+
25.5%

Male Veterans

1,763

88.4%

Female Veterans

232

11.6%

Veteran vs Non-Veteran Income

Veteran Income

$49,120

Non-Veteran Income

$20,409

Difference

$28,711

140.7% higher

Disability Status

With Disability

648

Without Disability

1,347

Disability Rate

32.5%

Ancestry & Heritage

Total Reporting Ancestry

52,476

#1 Ancestry

German

28.1% (18,548)

#2 Ancestry

Irish

12.0% (7,929)

#3 Ancestry

English

8.9% (5,893)

Top 20 Ancestries

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)
German
28.1%
Irish
12.0%
English
8.9%
Norwegian
5.5%
American
2.3%
Swedish
2.2%
Italian
2.2%
Dutch
2.1%
Scottish
1.9%
European
1.8%
Polish
1.8%
Sub-Saharan African
1.7%
Danish
1.6%
French
1.4%
British
1.0%
Czech
0.9%
Scotch-Irish
0.7%
Welsh
0.6%
Brazilian
0.5%
Arab
0.4%

Families & Households

Total Households

25,445

Family Households

9,980

39.2%

Married Couples

8,067

31.7%

Non-Family Households

15,465

60.8%

Single Mother Households

1,200

4.7%

Single Father Households

713

2.8%

Living Alone

9,150

36.0%

Children Under 18

Total Children

7,099

In Married Couple

5,719

80.6%

With Single Mother

1,249

17.6%

With Single Father

131

1.8%

Family Income

Median Family Income

$110,911

Married Couple Income

$127,135

Single Mother Income

$55,100

Single Father Income

$82,866

Avg Family Size

2.1

Avg Non-Family Size

2.0

Grandparents w/ Grandchildren

249

Grandparents Responsible

34

Economy

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)

Income Overview

Median Household Income

$60,102

-18% vs national

Per Capita Income

$33,314

-10% vs national

Poverty Rate

25.9%

+91% vs national

Gini Index

0.4935

0 = perfect equality

Unemployment

6.4%

+23% vs national

SNAP Recipients

4.3%

of households

How Ames Compares

Ames vs Similar Cities

Compared to cities with 50,000 - 100,000 residents. Ames is highlighted.

Median Household Income

Per Capita Income

Poverty Rate

Unemployment Rate

๐Ÿ“Š

Where Do You Stack Up?

Enter your household income to see how you compare to other households in Ames. The median household income here is $60,102.

$

Income Distribution

<$25K
22.3%
$25-50K
20.1%
$50-75K
18.1%
$75-100K
12.9%
$100-150K
12.6%
$150-200K
6.5%
$200K+
7.5%

Employment Snapshot

Unemployment Rate

6.4%

+77% vs IA avg

Labor Force

38,289

Employed

35,793

Mean Commute

14 min

How People Get to Work

Employment by Sector

Education & Workforce

Bachelor's Degree+

29.0%

of adults 25+

High School Diploma+

34.2%

of adults 25+

Median Age

23.3

Work from Home

11.3%

of workers

Cost of Living

Overall Index

104.8

100 = national avg

+4.8 vs national average

Living Wage (1 Adult)

$46,118

per year

Living Wage (Family of 4)

$109,005

per year

Cost Index by Category

Housing
129.6
Food
95.9
Transportation
75.1
Healthcare
96.8
Utilities
103.5

100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.

Fair Market Rent

Source: HUD

1 Bedroom

$1,026

per month

2 Bedroom

$1,153

per month

The median household income in Ames, IA is $60,102, which is 17.9% below the national average of $73,224. Per capita income is $33,314. The poverty rate of 25.9% is higher than the IA state average of 10.7%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.4935, where 0 represents perfect equality and 1 represents maximum inequality. The unemployment rate is 6.4%, compared to the state average of 3.6%. The labor force is 38,289. 29.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The average commute time is 14 minutes, with 11.3% working from home. About 65.3% of workers drive alone to work. The overall cost of living index is 104.8, which is 4.8% above the national average. Housing costs are above the national average at an index of 129.6. A single adult needs to earn approximately $46,118 per year to cover basic expenses.

Housing & Real Estate

Market SnapshotRedfin โ€” January 2026

Median Sale Price

$398,750

Median List Price

$417,500

Price Per Sq Ft

$206

Days on Market

54

Active Inventory

74

Months of Supply

2.6

Seller's market

Zillow Home Value

$264,793

ZHVI โ€” January 2026

Zillow Rent Index

$1,134

ZORI โ€” January 2026

Market CompetitivenessRedfin

Sold Above List

20.7%

Off Market in 2 Weeks

38.9%

Sale-to-List Ratio

98.5%

Buyer's market

Sold Above Asking
20.7%
Under Contract in 2 Wks
38.9%
Listings with Price Drops
31.1%

Price TrendsRedfin

Sale Price โ†‘ 36.3%List Price โ†‘ 26.5%Mar 24 โ†’ Jan 26

Market ActivityRedfin

Homes Sold

29

New Listings

40

Pending Sales

36

Homes Sold โ†“ 31.0%New Listings โ†“ 18.4%Pending โ†“ 29.4%Mar 24 โ†’ Jan 26

Price Per Square FootRedfin

Median Sale $/SF

$206

Median List $/SF

$224

Sale $/SF โ†‘ 1.5%List $/SF โ†‘ 5.2%Mar 24 โ†’ Jan 26

House Price IndexFHFA

How much have housing prices increased in Ames, IA? According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index for the Ames, IA metro area, home prices have risen 97.1% over the past 20 years. The 10-year growth rate is 71.8%. Over the last 5 years, prices increased 42.4%. In the most recent 2-year period, the index rose 11.7%. The FHFA HPI tracks average price changes in repeat sales or refinancings of single-family properties with conforming mortgages. Because this is a metro-level index, it reflects the broader Ames, IA housing market rather than Ames alone.

20yr โ†‘ 97.1%10yr โ†‘ 71.8%5yr โ†‘ 42.4%2yr โ†‘ 11.7%Q4 1986 โ†’ Q1 2025

Metro area: Ames, IA

Ames vs Similar CitiesCensus ACS / Redfin

Compared to cities with 50,000 - 100,000 residents. Ames is highlighted.

Median Home Value

Median Rent

Median Price Per Sq Ft

Rent Burden

Census Housing DataU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023

Median Home Value

$263,800

Median Rent

$1,040

Total Housing Units

27,706

Vacancy Rate

8.2%

Owner Occupied

42.9%

Renter Occupied

57.1%

Median Property Tax

$3,838

per year

Monthly Cost (w/ Mortgage)

$1,230

Housing Types

Single Family
46.6%
Multi-Family
50.6%
Mobile Home
2.7%

Property TaxU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023

Median Property Tax

$3,838

per year

Effective Tax Rate

1.46%

of home value

Median Home Value

$263,800

Estimated Mean Tax

$4,099

The effective property tax rate is calculated by dividing the median annual property tax ($3,838) by the median home value ($263,800). In Ames, IA, this works out to an effective rate of 1.46%. This is above the national average of approximately 1.1%.

The current median sale price in Ames, IA is $398,750 according to Redfin data. Homes spend a median of 54 days on the market. 20.7% of homes sold above asking price. The market has 2.6 months of supply. The median price per square foot is $206. Zillow's observed rent index is $1,134/month. About 42.9% of housing units are owner-occupied. The median year homes were built is 1991. There are 27,706 total housing units. Homeowners pay a median annual property tax of $3,838. The effective tax rate is 1.46%, above the national average.

Crime Overview

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024)

Violent Crime Rate

1.48

per 1,000 residents

-43% vs national

Property Crime Rate

15.06

per 1,000 residents

-12% vs national

Total Crimes

1,082

2024

Violent Clearance

32%

cases solved

Property Clearance

22%

cases solved

YoY Change

-12.6%

violent crime rate

improving vs 2023

How Ames Compares

Source: FBI (2024)

Ames vs Similar Cities

Source: FBI (2024)

Compared to cities with 50,000 - 100,000 residents. Ames is highlighted in green.

Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000)

Property Crime Rate (per 1,000)

Murder Rate (per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trends

Source: FBI
Violent โ†“ 2.6%Property โ†“ 20.9%2015 โ†’ 2024

Crime Composition

Source: FBI (2024)

Violent Crime Breakdown

Property Crime Breakdown

Crime Clearance (Solve) Rates

Source: FBI (2024)

Ames police solve 61% of aggravated assault cases but only 4% of rape cases.

Weapon Used in Violent Crime

Source: FBI (2024)

Crime Breakdown

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024)
Crime TypeCategoryCountRate per 1KClearance %
MurderViolent00.00N/A
RapeViolent460.704.3%
RobberyViolent50.0820.0%
Aggravated AssaultViolent460.7060.9%
BurglaryProperty1131.7310.6%
Larceny/TheftProperty81412.4423.7%
Motor Vehicle TheftProperty580.8920.7%

Ames, IA reported 97 violent crimes and 985 property crimes in 2024. The violent crime rate of 1.48 per 1,000 residents is 43.0% below the national average of 2.60 per 1,000. Law enforcement cleared 32% of violent crimes. Larceny/theft accounts for 814 of the property crime reports. Firearms were involved in 32.6% of aggravated assaults. Violent crime has been trending downward.

Crime History

Source: FBI
YearViolentPropertyViolent RateProperty Rate
2024979851.4815.06
20231149301.7013.84
20221408622.0912.89
20211349091.9713.39
20201221,1891.8217.72
20191351,1711.9817.16
20181029921.5114.67
20171241,3911.8420.62
20161071,0771.6116.24
2015981,2251.5219.03

Natural Hazard Risk

Source: FEMA National Risk Index

Risk Score

68.8

Relatively Low

Expected Annual Loss

77.4

Score (0-100)

Social Vulnerability

12.9

Score (0-100)

Community Resilience

86.8

Score (0-100)

Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.

Disaster History & Federal Spending

Source: FEMA

Total Declarations

21

Public Assistance

$5.7M

Individual Assistance

$2.7M

Most Common Type

Severe Storm

12 declarations

Public Assistance by Category

Total: $21.8M
DisasterTypeDatePA $IA $
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding โ†’Severe StormMay 2024$662K$89K
Severe Storms โ†’Severe StormAug 2020$2.9M$85K
Covid-19 Pandemic โ†’BiologicalMar 2020$129K$561K
Covid-19 โ†’BiologicalMar 2020โ€”โ€”
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line โ€ฆ โ†’Severe StormAug 2018$418Kโ€”
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding โ†’Severe StormJul 2013$344Kโ€”
Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and โ€ฆ โ†’Severe StormAug 2011โ€”โ€”
Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes โ†’Severe StormJul 2010โ€”$1.6M
Severe Winter Storm โ†’Severe StormMar 2010โ€”โ€”
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding โ†’Severe StormMay 2008$1.1M$97K
Severe Winter Storms โ†’Severe StormMar 2007โ€”โ€”
Hurricane Katrina Evacuation โ†’HurricaneSep 2005โ€”โ€”
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding โ†’Severe StormMay 2004โ€”$288K
Severe Storms and Flooding โ†’Severe StormJul 1999$180Kโ€”
Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding โ†’FloodJul 1998โ€”โ€”
Severe Storms, and Flooding โ†’Severe StormAug 1996โ€”โ€”
Severe Storms & Flooding โ†’FloodJul 1993โ€”โ€”
Severe Storms & Flooding โ†’FloodJul 1991โ€”โ€”
Severe Storms & Flooding โ†’FloodMay 1990โ€”โ€”
Severe Storms & Flooding โ†’FloodJun 1974โ€”โ€”

Showing 20 of 21 disasters

PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).

Flood Insurance (NFIP)

Source: FEMA NFIP

Total Claims

283

Total Claims Paid

$12,999,134

Avg Claim Payout

$45,933

County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

Hazard Mitigation

Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance

Mitigation Projects

37

Federal Funding

$7,913,817

Properties Protected

98

Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio

3.14

BCR

Top Mitigation Project Types

Project TypeProjectsFederal $
200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine8$3,589,030
601.1: Generators8$202,675
91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan5$288,480
206.2: Safe Room (Tornado and Severe Wind Shelter) - Public Structures4$2,187,723
400.1: Utility Protective Measures (Electric, Gas, etc.)3$207,847

Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.

Ames has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are drought, tornado, winter weather. The area has had 21 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (12 declarations). 283 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $5,715,068 in public assistance recovery funding. $2,680,184 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 37 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.

Health

Community Health

Source: CDC PLACES

Obesity Rate

31.1%

5.0pp below the national average

Depression Rate

23.5%

near the national average

Diabetes Rate

6.4%

5.5pp below the national average

Uninsured Rate

7.5%

3.1pp below the national average

Health Scorecard

Higher scores indicate better health outcomes relative to the national average (50 = average)

Health Outcomes

Age-adjusted prevalence rates. Green bars indicate rates below the national average; red indicates above.

High Cholesterol

27.7%

Arthritis

15.1%

Cancer (excl. skin)

5.0%

Teeth Lost (65+)

8.6%

Health Risk Behaviors

Prevention & Screening

Green bars indicate rates above the national average (more preventive care); red indicates below.

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Frequent Mental Distress

20.1%

14+ days in past month

Depression

23.5%

Loneliness

37.5%

Lack of Support

22.2%

Disability Prevalence

Any Disability

28.2%

Mobility

7.5%

Cognitive

17.9%

Hearing

5.2%

Vision

4.5%

Self-Care

2.5%

Independent Living

8.8%

Health-Related Social Needs

Prevalence of social risk factors affecting community health

Ames has an obesity rate of 31.1%, which is 5.0pp below the national average. The depression rate is 23.5%, near the national average. About 7.5% of adults lack health insurance. 72.7% of residents had an annual checkup in the past year.

Nearby Hospitals

Source: CMS Hospital Compare

Nearest Hospitals

5

With Emergency Services

5

Avg CMS Rating

4.0 / 5

Nearest Hospital

1.7 mi

Mary Greeley Medical Center

Loading mapโ€ฆ
HospitalDistanceTypeRatingER
Mary Greeley Medical Center1.7 miAcute Care Hospitals4/5Yes
Story County Hospital9.1 miCritical Access Hospitalsโ€”Yes
Boone County Hospital12.4 miCritical Access Hospitalsโ€”Yes
Va Central Iowa Healthcare System27.7 miAcute Care - Veterans Administration4/5Yes
Dallas County Hospital28.9 miCritical Access Hospitalsโ€”Yes

Climate & Environment

Water Systems

Source: EPA SDWIS

Water Systems

4

Pop. Served

97,467

Violations (5yr)

0

No violations

System NamePop. ServedViolations (5yr)
AMES WATER TREATMENT PLANT55,1770
ISU42,0000
LOGANSPORT WATER SYSTEM1900
BENEFIT WATER DISTRICT #21000

Greenhouse Gas Emitters

Source: EPA GHGRP (2023)

Facilities Reporting

4

Total COโ‚‚e

430.0K MT

Top Emitter

Ames

253.1K MT COโ‚‚e

Total COโ‚‚e vs Similar Cities (50,000 - 100,000)

FacilitySectorCOโ‚‚e (MT)
Ames
City Of Ames Iowa
Power Plants253,096
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY/ ISU HEATING PLANT
Iowa State University Of Science & Technology
Other146,726
USDA-NATIONAL ANIMAL DISEASE CENTER
Us Government (%)
Other28,304
Dayton Avenue Substation
City Of Ames Iowa
Power Plants1,856

Data from EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP). Includes facilities emitting 25,000+ metric tons COโ‚‚e/year.

There are 4 water systems serving the area. 4 industrial facilities report greenhouse gas emissions totaling 430.0K metric tons of COโ‚‚e.

Infrastructure

Commute Overview2023 ACS

Mean Commute

14 min

-39% vs national

Drive Alone

65.3%

-17% vs national

Public Transit

5.8%

+546% vs national

Work From Home

11.3%

+22% vs national

Carpool

7.7%

Walk / Bike

9.5%

combined

How Ames's Commute ComparesCensus ACS 2023

How People Get to WorkCensus ACS 2023

Commute Mode BreakdownCensus ACS 2023

Traffic Fatalities

Source: NHTSA FARS (2022)

Fatalities

1

2022

4-Year Avg

1

fatalities/yr

YearCrashesFatalitiesAlcoholPedestrianCyclist
202211000
202111010
201911000
201811000

Data from NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Includes only crashes involving at least one fatality.

The average commute in Ames, IA is 14 minutes, which is 39.3% below the national average of 23 minutes. 65.3% of workers drive alone, compared to the national average of 78.7%. 11.3% work from home, which is above the IA state average of 6.9%. Public transit is used by 5.8% of commuters, compared to the national average of 0.9%. 7.7% of workers carpool. 7.9% walk to work. 1.6% commute by bicycle. In 2022, there were 1 traffic fatality from 1 fatal crash.

Internet & Broadband Access

Source: Census ACS

Broadband Access

72.3%

of households

Cable / Fiber / DSL

64.9%

of households

No Internet

4.3%

of households

Total Households

25,445

Internet Subscription Types

Cable, Fiber, or DSL
64.9%
Cellular Data Plan
68.1%
Satellite
3.9%
Cellular Only (no wired)
5.8%
No Internet Access
4.3%

Device Ownership

Source: Census ACS

Has Computer

96.9%

of households

Smartphone

92.5%

of households

Desktop / Laptop

91.4%

of households

Tablet

62.3%

of households

Any Computing Device
96.9%
Smartphone
92.5%
Desktop / Laptop
91.4%
Tablet
62.3%
Smartphone Only
3.4%
No Computer
3.1%

Percentage of households with each device type. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023 5-year estimates, tables B28001 & B28002).

Electricity Rates

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2024)

Residential Rate

13.4ยข

per kWh

-27% vs 50,000 - 100,000 avg

Commercial Rate

10.2ยข

per kWh

-31% vs 50,000 - 100,000 avg

Industrial Rate

6.8ยข

per kWh

-39% vs 50,000 - 100,000 avg

Avg Monthly Bill

$112

residential

-23% vs 50,000 - 100,000 avg

21% below the national average of 17.1ยข/kWh

Residential electricity in Iowa averages 13.4ยข per kWh, compared to the national average of 17.1ยข. The average monthly electric bill is $112. State-level averages from EIA Electric Sales & Revenue data (2024).

Ames vs Similar Cities

Source: EIA (2024)

Comparing electricity rates with randomly selected cities of similar population (50,000 - 100,000). Each city represents its state's average rate.

Residential Rate (ยข/kWh)

Commercial Rate (ยข/kWh)

Industrial Rate (ยข/kWh)

Average Monthly Bill

Water Systems

Source: EPA SDWIS

Water Systems

4

Population Served

97,467

Violations (5yr)

0

System NameTypeSourcePop. ServedViolations
AMES WATER TREATMENT PLANTCommunityGround water55,1770
ISUCommunityPurchased ground water42,0000
LOGANSPORT WATER SYSTEMCommunityGUP1900
BENEFIT WATER DISTRICT #2CommunityGUP1000

72.3% of households in Ames have broadband internet access. 64.9% have cable, fiber, or DSL service. 5.8% rely solely on cellular data without a wired connection. 4.3% of households have no internet access. The area is served by 4 water systems, providing water to 97,467 people. No water quality violations have been reported in the past 5 years.

Politics & Government

County-level data: Election results are reported at the county level. Ames is located in Story County, IA. Results reflect all voters in the county, not just those in Ames.

Election Overview

Source: Story County (2024)

2024 Winner

Democrat

Dem Votes

26,765

54.4%

GOP Votes

21,665

44.0%

Total Votes

49,200

Margin

D+10.4%

Shift from 2020

R+6.9pp

vs prior election

๐Ÿ“ŠElection Results by Year
2016โ€“2024
๐Ÿ“ˆPartisan Lean Trend
D+10.4%

Election History

Source: County-Level Election Results
YearDem VotesGOP VotesTotalDem %GOP %Margin
202426,76521,66549,20054.4%44.0%D+10.4
202029,17520,34051,03857.2%39.9%D+17.3
201625,08519,11148,91051.3%39.1%D+12.2

In the 2024 presidential election, Story County recorded 49,200 total votes. Democrats won the county with 54.4% of the vote compared to 44.0% for Republicans, a margin of D+10.4%. Compared to 2020, the margin shifted R+6.9pp from the previous election. Since 2016, Story County has shifted 1.8 percentage points toward Republicans.

Nonprofits Overview

Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMF

Total Nonprofits

321

Total Assets

$2.6B

Total Income

$681.1M

Per 10K Residents

48.6

nonprofits

-22.7% vs peers avg

Orgs with >$1M Assets

46

Median Assets

$423K

Oldest Active

1936

ruling year

Newest Org

2026

ruling year

Nonprofits by Category

Source: IRS / NTEE Classification
Education
44
Arts & Culture
28
Human Services
28
Recreation & Sports
20
Religion
20
Philanthropy
17
Community Improvement
9
Housing & Shelter
8
Health Care
7
Environment
6
Animal-Related
6
Crime & Legal
6
Youth Development
6
Mental Health
5
International
5
Science & Tech
4
Food & Agriculture
3
Public Benefit
3
Employment
2
Civil Rights
2
Unknown
2
Public Safety
1
91.3%of all nonprofit assets are held by the 10 largest organizations

Top 10 hold $2.4B of $2.6B total

Nonprofit Size Distribution

Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMF

Number of nonprofits by total asset size

When Were Nonprofits Founded?

Source: IRS Ruling Date

Number of currently active nonprofits by founding decade

Nonprofits per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities

Source: IRS BMF + Census ACS

Compared to cities with population 50,000 - 100,000

Largest Nonprofits in Ames

Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMF
OrganizationCategoryAssetsIncomeEst.IRS
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIONEducation$2.0B$435.2M1980
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PARK CORPEducation$100.4M$14.2M1998
NORTHCREST INCHuman Services$89.2M$19.4M1963
RESURRECTION UNIVERSITYEducation$61.1M$18.8M1936
ISU FACILITIES CORPORATIONEducation$43.8M$568K2016
YOUTH AND SHELTER SERVICES INCHuman Services$40.6M$27.3M1976
IOWA YOUTH ATHLETIC FOUNDATIONRecreation & Sports$34.9M$4.5M2006
4-H CLUBS & AFFILIATED 4-H ORGANIZATIONSโ€”$21.9M$3.7M1951
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONEducation$20.9M$3.7M1975
MILLER ENDOWMENT INCORPORATEDEducation$19.5M$4.6M1996
MARY GREELEY MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATIONHealth Care$18.3M$8.8M1970
MAINSTREAM LIVING INC STUART AMBROSEHuman Services$15.3M$24.1M1976
UNDERWOOD FAMILY FOUNDATIONPhilanthropy$14.8M$1.1M2005
BECKER FAMILY FOUNDATIONPhilanthropy$14.6M$1.4M2005
PRACTICAL FARMERS OF IOWAโ€”$13.6M$22.4M1987
HEARTLAND SENIOR SERVICESHuman Services$13.0M$1.2M1976
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY 1993 TRUSTEducation$11.4M$4.7M1995
YOUTH AND SHELTER SERVICES FOUNDATION INCโ€”$9.5M$2.0M1985
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF STORY COUNTY INCYouth Development$8.7M$3.1M1965
SHELTER HOUSING CORPORATIONHousing & Shelter$8.0M$3.1M1987
FRIENDSHIP ARK INCHousing & Shelter$7.1M$6.9M1999
F WILLIAM BECKWITH & LEOLA I BECKWITH CHARITABLE FOUNDATIONPhilanthropy$6.7M$1.9M1998
BURKE FAMILY FOUNDATIONPhilanthropy$5.5M$2.5M2013
AMES HISTORICAL SOCIETYโ€”$5.2M$969K1981
NORTHCREST FOUNDATION INCPhilanthropy$4.9M$2.0M2001
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY AGRICULTURAL ENDOWMENTEducation$4.6M$355K1939
DANIEL J & ANN L KRUMM CHARITABLE TRUSTโ€”$4.5M$2.3M1988
UNITED WAY OF STORY COUNTY INCPhilanthropy$4.4M$2.4M1972
KRELL INSTITUTE INCEducation$3.8M$20.0M1997
46 1 FUNDPhilanthropy$3.6M$1.1M2015
AMES PUBLIC LIBRARY FRIENDS FOUNDATIONEducation$3.5M$532K1996
AMES SENIOR LIVINGHealth Care$2.9M$603K1998
AMES COMMUNITY PRE SCHOOL CENTERHuman Services$2.9M$2.5M1977
OVERFLOW THRIFT STORE INCHuman Services$2.7M$2.0M2015
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL INCโ€”$2.0M$1.3M1987
AMES EDUCATION FOUNDATIONEducation$1.7M$910K1994
WINGS OF REFUGEHuman Services$1.6M$1.1M2014
COUNCIL FOR AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYโ€”$1.5M$1.2M1972
ACTORS INCORPORATEDArts & Culture$1.5M$268K1974
NATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE INCHuman Services$1.3M$502K2018
ASSAULT CARE CENTER EXTENDING SHELTER & SUPPORTMental Health$1.2M$1.4M1978
IOWA SPORTS FOUNDATIONโ€”$1.2M$1.6M1988
FOOD AT FIRSTHuman Services$1.2M$313K2019
UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY CHILDCARE INCHuman Services$1.2M$1.4M2009
AMES CHRISTIAN SCHOOLEducation$1.1M$901K1997
IOWA CATTLEMENS FOUNDATION INCUnknown$1.0M$221K1999
PHI KAPPA THETA IOWA XI FOUNDATIONHuman Services$961K$276K2022
HAPPY DOGGOAnimal-Related$874K$1.1M2024
RAISING READERS IN STORY COUNTYHuman Services$814K$317K2005
BURNS-DONOVAN FOUNDATIONReligion$797K$92K1996

Ames, IA has 321 registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with combined assets of $2.6B. The most common category is Education, with 44 organizations. 46 nonprofits have assets exceeding $1 million. That works out to 48.6 nonprofits per 10,000 residents. The oldest active nonprofit dates back to 1936.

SBA Lending Overview

Source: SBA FOIA Loan-Level Data

Total SBA Loans

336

Total Approved

$86.8M

Jobs Supported

4,947

Per 10K Residents

50.8

SBA loans

-35.8% vs peers avg

Unique Lenders

67

Top Lender

U.S. Bank, National Association

55 loans

Top Industry

Accommodation & Food Services

Data Span

1992โ€“2026

Loan Program Breakdown

Source: SBA FOIA
7(a)93% of all loans

Loans

312

Total Amount

$74.4M

Avg Loan

$238,490

Median Loan

$100,000

SBA Guaranteed

$55.9M(75%)

Jobs Supported

4,490

5047% of all loans

Loans

24

Total Amount

$12.4M

Avg Loan

$515,792

Median Loan

$410,000

7(a) โ€” 93%504 โ€” 7%

Recent Activity (Last 5 Years)

Source: SBA FOIA

Recent Loans

43

13% of all-time total

Recent Amount

$15.1M

17% of all-time total

Avg Recent Loan

$351,158

Top Industries Funded

Source: SBA FOIA / NAICS Codes
Accommodation & Food Services66 loans
NAICS 72
$22.6M
Other Services37 loans
NAICS 81
$8.0M
Construction31 loans
NAICS 23
$10.5M
Professional & Technical Services26 loans
NAICS 54
$3.3M
Retail Trade22 loans
NAICS 44
$6.4M

SBA Loans per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities

Source: SBA FOIA + Census ACS

Compared to cities with population 50,000 - 100,000

Top SBA Borrowers

Source: SBA FOIA
BusinessLoansAmount
J&k Contracting L.l.c.4$6.0M
Khalsa Real Estate Llc1$4.4M
Burger King1$2.4M
Central Iowa Lawn & Home Care Inc1$2.0M
Liangstar Ii Inc1$1.8M
Merch Makers Corporation2$1.8M
Jiffy Lube1$1.7M
Gruhn-leander Stone Works Llc1$1.4M
Cbe Midway Inc1$1.4M
Sleep Inn & Suites1$1.3M

Ames, IA has received 336 SBA loans totaling $86.8M in approved funding between 1992 and 2026. The 7(a) program accounts for 312 loans (93% of the total), supporting 4,490 jobs. The 504 program, focused on real estate and large equipment, has funded 24 loans totaling $12.4M. The most common industry receiving SBA funding is Accommodation & Food Services. The most active SBA lender in Ames is U.S. Bank, National Association with 55 loans. That works out to 50.8 SBA loans per 10,000 residents.

ZIP Code Overview

Source: Census ACS

ZIP Codes

8

Total Population

86,253

Avg Median Income

-$166,598,154

Avg Home Value

-$166,468,554

ZIP Code Details

Source: Census ACS
ZIP CodePopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueMedian RentArea (sq mi)
5001033,428$65,701$243,200$98160.3
500121,950N/AN/AN/A0.3
500134,248N/AN/AN/A0.6
5001431,429$57,372$312,700$1,08354.2
501051,384$122,813$265,100$8879.1
501244,730$122,974$299,900$1,26020.8
50134783$97,250$277,500$97119.4
502018,301$81,989$186,500$908117.3

Ames, IA has 8 ZIP codes with a combined population of 86,253. The average median household income across all ZIP codes is -$166,598,154. The average median home value is -$166,468,554. The average median monthly rent is -$166,665,905.

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