Ames, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ames, Iowa had a total population of 67,669, the 8th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $60,991, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 65.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Iowa.
Ames Quick Facts
How Ames Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,112 | 67,669 | +2.4% |
| Median household income | $60,102 | $60,991 | +1.5% |
| Median home value | $263,800 | $277,400 | +5.2% |
How Ames Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ames Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Story County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 6,983 | $75,094 | 9.9% | $182,400 |
| Huxley | 4,544 | $112,094 | 4.5% | $297,100 |
| Story City | 3,398 | $96,605 | 12.6% | $215,600 |
| Roland | 1,559 | $79,028 | 1.1% | $185,900 |
| Slater | 1,401 | $97,500 | 3.8% | $232,800 |
| Gilbert | 1,381 | $122,656 | 3.4% | $274,600 |
| Maxwell | 905 | $97,639 | 4.1% | $184,600 |
| Cambridge | 803 | $57,333 | 11.2% | $178,100 |
| Colo | 686 | $64,000 | 6.4% | $152,000 |
| Zearing | 566 | $74,167 | 15.4% | $158,800 |
Cities Similar to Ames
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterloo | 67,008 | $57,480 | $152,600 | 21.8% | 16.6% |
| Council Bluffs | 62,586 | $64,578 | $171,800 | 21.5% | 15.1% |
| Iowa City | 75,752 | $58,546 | $285,900 | 60.5% | 26.3% |
| Dubuque | 59,174 | $65,845 | $204,800 | 34.0% | 12.7% |
| West Des Moines | 71,083 | $86,594 | $309,000 | 54.9% | 8.4% |
Population Overview
Ames is a mid-sized community located in Iowa, within Story County. The total population is 67,669. It ranks as the 8th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ames is 23.3 years. This is 40% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. Only 11.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ames is $60,991. This is 19% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.4%. This is 130% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. 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 5.8%. This is 63% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $277,400. Housing costs are 33% higher than the state median of $208,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 42.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 41% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ames is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.8% of the population. Asian residents account for 9.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (9.3% vs 2.5%).
Education
65.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Ames in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 109% higher than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.9%. Notably, 31.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ames, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ames, Iowa?
Ames, Iowa has a population of 67,669 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ames, IA?
The median household income in Ames is $60,991, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ames, IA?
The poverty rate in Ames is 25.4%. This means approximately 14,053 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ames, Iowa?
Ames's population is 76.8% White, 3.8% Black, 5.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 9.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ames, IA?
The median home value in Ames is $277,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Ames, Iowa?
65.8% of adults (25+) in Ames hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 31.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.