Ames city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Ames city, Iowa has a total population of 66,112, the 9th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $60,102, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.9%.
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 63.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Iowa.
Ames city Quick Facts
How Ames city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 30 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ames city Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Cities Similar to Ames city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterloo city | 66,947 | $56,344 | $150,200 | 22.6% | 16.4% |
| Council Bluffs city | 62,564 | $64,092 | $164,300 | 21.7% | 13.2% |
| Dubuque city | 59,271 | $64,985 | $193,100 | 33.6% | 12.2% |
| Iowa City city | 75,264 | $57,533 | $273,600 | 60.7% | 26.3% |
| West Des Moines city | 69,893 | $84,925 | $286,300 | 54.6% | 7.3% |
Population Overview
Ames city is a mid-sized community located in Iowa. The total population is 66,112. It ranks as the 9th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ames city is 23.3 years. This is 40% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. Only 11.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ames city is $60,102. This is 18% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 23% lower. The poverty rate stands at 25.9%. This is 136% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.4%. This is 76% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $263,800. Housing costs are 35% higher than the state median of $195,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 42.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 40% lower than the state average of 71.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ames city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.6% of the population. Asian residents account for 9.4%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (9.4% vs 2.4%).
Education
63.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Ames city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 106% higher than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.5%. Notably, 30.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ames city, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,018 Census-designated places in Iowa. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ames city, Iowa?
Ames city, Iowa has a population of 66,112 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ames city, IA?
The median household income in Ames city is $60,102, which is 23% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Ames city, IA?
The poverty rate in Ames city is 25.9%. This means approximately 14,035 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ames city, Iowa?
Ames city's population is 77.6% White, 3.6% Black, 4.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 9.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ames city, IA?
The median home value in Ames city is $263,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Ames city, Iowa?
63.5% of adults (25+) in Ames city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 30.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.