Ames, IA Metro Area

Ames, IA · Metro Area

127,134Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 2 counties (1 central, 1 outlying), part of the Des Moines-West Des Moines-Ames, IA combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $73,127
Median home value: $246,300
Land area: 1,143 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Story County, IA	Central	100,466	$69,685	$258,700
Boone County, IA	Outlying	26,668	$83,531	$212,400

Largest cities and towns

24 places in our city pages lie in this area.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Ames, IA	City	67,669	$60,991
Boone, IA	City	12,424	$69,222
Nevada, IA	City	6,983	$75,094
Huxley, IA	City	4,544	$112,094
Story City, IA	City	3,398	$96,605
Madrid, IA	City	2,808	$89,844
Ogden, IA	City	1,859	$70,268
Roland, IA	City	1,559	$79,028
Slater, IA	City	1,401	$97,500
Gilbert, IA	City	1,381	$122,656
Woodward, IA	City	977	$65,658
Maxwell, IA	City	905	$97,639
Cambridge, IA	City	803	$57,333
Colo, IA	City	686	$64,000
Zearing, IA	City	566	$74,167
Collins, IA	City	533	$67,500
Kelley, IA	City	382	$111,250
McCallsburg, IA	City	326	$65,000
Boxholm, IA	City	168	$49,375
Luther, IA	City	159	$100,938
Fraser, IA	City	148	$69,063
Pilot Mound, IA	City	132	$58,750
Beaver, IA	City	51	$73,750
Berkley, IA	City	32	—

Also in the Des Moines-West Des Moines-Ames, IA combined area

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA · metro · 731,120 Pella, IA · micro · 33,642 Oskaloosa, IA · micro · 22,021

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

15.5%

Unemployment

4.1%

College Educated

47.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$73,127

Mean Household Income

$97,491

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

52.1%

Female

47.9%

Population Split

Male52.1%

Female47.9%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

German29.9%

Irish11.1%

English10.8%

Mexican2.8%

Italian2.2%

Scottish1.7%

Polish1.4%

French1.4%

African1.0%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

7.1%Foreign Born

92.9%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized37.0%

Non-Citizen63.0%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later58.2%

Before 201041.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

53,928

Median Rent

$1,000/mo

Median Home Value

$246,300

Median Year Built

1979

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

47,709

College Enrollment

54.8%

High School

11.2%

College Educated

47.9%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

18.8 min

Drive Alone Rate

70.6%

Public Transit

3.2%

Work From Home

11.4%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

17.2%

18-34 Years

38.6%

35-64 Years

29.6%

65+ Years

14.6%

Population Composition

Under 1817.2%

18-3438.6%

35-6429.6%

65+14.6%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

43.3%

Single Parent

3.7%

Living Alone

32.7%

Avg Size

2.29

Household Types

Married Couples43.3%

Single Parent3.7%

Living Alone32.7%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$39,347

SNAP Usage

4.6%

Health Insurance

96.0%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k15.5%

$25k - $50k18.4%

$50k - $100k30.3%

$100k+35.9%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

9.6%

Retail Trade

11.5%

Education & Health Care

33.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

10.4%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

96.0%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

82.3%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

97.3%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

88.8

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

187.6

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

How can this information help me in marketing?

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Largest cities and towns

Also in the Des Moines-West Des Moines-Ames, IA combined area

Demographic Rates

Race & Ethnicity

Income Profile

Income Distribution

Sex Distribution

Population Split

Ancestry

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

Citizenship Status

Period of Entry

Housing Characteristics

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Education Enrollment

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Transportation & Commute

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Age Distribution

Population Composition

Household Composition

Household Types

Economic Profile

Household Income Breakdown

Key Industries

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

Health Insurance Coverage

Technology Access

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Housing Affordability