United States landmark

50012

Ames, IA

Total Population

2,061
5-year trend
+9.1%

Median Household Income

-$666,666,666
5-year trend
+12.9%

Median Home Value

-$666,666,666
5-year trend
+27.1%

Median Rent

-$666,666,666
5-year trend
+19.6%

About Ames, IA

Comprehensive Neighborhood Analysis

Neighborhood Profile

Ames, IA in Story represents a tight-knit residential area with approximately 2,061 residents. This working-class area is characterized by a affordable housing market, with median home values around -$666,666,666 and a median household income of -$666,666,666.

The community features a young and dynamic population, with a median age of 19.3 years. Residents benefit from a varied educational attainment levels, contributing to a diverse and vibrant local culture. The area's economic landscape reflects its demographic composition, with household incomes and property values aligned with broader regional trends.

Population
2,061

Small-sized community with diverse demographics

Median Income
-$666,666,666

Working-class earning profile

Home Value
-$666,666,666

Affordable housing market

Quality of Life Overview

Our comprehensive analysis evaluates Ames, IA across multiple quality-of-life dimensions including amenities access, cost of living, safety metrics, educational opportunities, and climate conditions. The overall livability score of NaN/10 reflects these combined factors, providing residents and prospective movers with data-driven insights into the area's living standards.

Key Insights

What the data tells us about this area

Median household income is 3761% lower than the state average, indicating a more affordable area.

Home values are 2861% lower than the state average. More affordable housing options are available here.

100% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, suggesting a highly educated community.

Median age of 19 years indicates a younger, dynamic community with potential for growth.

Quick Facts & Insights

Key metrics and how they compare

Household Income
-$666,666,666
3761.1% below state avg
Home Value
-$666,666,666
2860.9% below state avg
Rent
-$666,666,666
525% below state avg
Population Density
2,061 residents
Median Age
19.3 years

Livability Score

Overall quality of life rating based on key factors

Overall Livability
NaN
Below Average
Out of 100

Score Breakdown

Amenities
-444397/100
Cost of Living
30/100
Safety
NaN/100
Education
70/100
ℹ️ Hover for details
Employment
75/100
Housing
94/100
Weather
69/100

Expert Analysis & Insights

Data-Driven Community Assessment

Our team of data analysts and urban planning experts have evaluated Ames, IA across multiple dimensions to provide you with actionable insights. These findings are based on comprehensive analysis of demographic trends, economic indicators, housing market dynamics, and quality of life factors.

Excellent Housing Affordability

Strength

With a home price-to-income ratio of 1.0:1, homes in Ames, IA are highly affordable relative to local incomes. This compares favorably to the national benchmark of 3-4:1, making homeownership more accessible.

Higher Living Costs

Consideration

With a cost of living index of 889 (national average = 100), expenses in Ames, IA are above average. While this often reflects premium amenities and services, budget-conscious residents should plan accordingly.

Methodology: Our analysis combines official data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and regional housing databases with proprietary algorithms to identify meaningful patterns and trends. All comparisons use state-level benchmarks unless otherwise noted.

Data Sources & Accuracy

Official Government Data:Demographics and housing statistics are from the U.S. Census Bureau API (American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates). Weather and climate data comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) API with official climate normals from the nearest weather station. Crime statistics are from the FBI Crime Data Explorer API, with county-level data when available, otherwise state-level official data.
Modeled Estimates:Schools and some economic indicators are currently modeled using statistical methods based on national averages and regional patterns. For critical decisions, verify with official sources:

Learn more about our data sources and methodology on our Data Sources page.

Interactive Location Map

Ames, IA 50012

Loading map...

Coordinates: 42.0236°, -93.6485°Open in Google Maps

Cost of Living

Compared to national average (100 = US average)

Overall Cost Index
889
Higher than avg
100 = US National Average

Cost Index by Category

Housing
2027
Above avg
Transportation
293
Above avg
Healthcare
196
Above avg
Groceries
389
Above avg
Utilities
254
Above avg
Overall
889
Above avg

Economy & Employment

Job market and economic indicators

Labor Force
1,026
Employment Rate
82.4%
Avg. Commute
21 min
Work From Home
69%

Top Industries by Employment

Industry Breakdown

Finance & Insurance
23%
Construction
19.6%
Manufacturing
13.5%
Professional & Business Services
13.5%
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
12.2%
Total Employed
845
Total Unemployed
181
Unemployment Rate
17.6%

Nearby ZIP Codes

Explore surrounding areas

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Ames, IA

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data, Ames, IA has a total population of approximately 2,061 residents. This population figure is derived from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates, which provide the most reliable and comprehensive demographic data available.

Have more questions? Our data is continuously updated to provide you with the most accurate and comprehensive information available. For specific inquiries or detailed analysis, consider consulting with local real estate professionals, financial advisors, or community organizations who can provide personalized guidance based on your unique situation.

Demographics Overview

Comprehensive population statistics and demographic breakdown

Key Demographic Insightsfor Ames, IA

Median household income is 3761% above state average, indicating a relatively affluent area.

High education levels with 100.0% holding bachelor's degrees or higher, well above national average of 33%.

Young population with median age of 19.3 years, attracting young professionals and families.

Unemployment rate of 17.6% is above national average, indicating economic challenges.

High remote work adoption with 69.2% working from home.

Low poverty rate of 0.0%, well below national average.

Insights are derived from US Census Bureau data and may not reflect recent changes.

Household Income Distribution

Local Median Income
$-666,666,666
-887226.5% vs US
vs State Median
3761.1%
State: $-17,266,107
Income Distribution
30.8%
Under $50k
18.5%
Over $100k
Lower Income
Middle Income
Higher Income
Data from US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates

Age Distribution

Population by age group

Household Income Breakdown

Households by income bracket

Education Levels (Age 25+)

Highest education attained

Race & Ethnicity

Demographic composition

Households & Employment

Household Types

Family composition breakdown

Average Household Size: -666666666.00 people

Total Households
0
Family Households
0%

Employment by Industry

Where residents work

#1 Industry
Finance
23.0%
#2 Industry
Construction
19.6%
#3 Industry
Manufacturing
13.5%
Total Employed Residents:148

Commute Patterns

How residents get to work

Short Commute
30.6%
Under 10 minutes
Long Commute
1.0%
Over 60 minutes
Work From Home
69.2%
486 workers
Public Transit
4.0%
28 workers
Total Commuting Workers:702
Commute Insights
High remote work adoption (69.2% work from home)
Many residents enjoy short commutes (under 10 minutes)

Labor Force Statistics

Employment Rate
82.4%
845 employed
Labor Force
1,026
181 unemployed
Unemployment Rate:17.6%
Median Age
19.3 years
Per Capita Income
$5,601
Poverty Rate
0.0%

Sponsored Content

Sponsored

Sponsored offer
Vrbo vacation rentals