Ames, IA

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Add Comparison

2021 Population

124,827

0.882% 1-year growth

US Senator

Chuck Grassley

Republican Party

US Senator

Joni Ernst

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

29.8

1.02% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

16.4%

3.46% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$63,814

5.58% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$190,800

6.18% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

65,453

0.185% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Ames, IA had a population of 125k people with a median age of 29.8 and a median household income of $63,814. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Ames, IA grew from 123,736 to 124,827, a 0.882% increase and its median household income grew from $60,442 to $63,814, a 5.58% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Ames, IA are White (Non-Hispanic) (85.2%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (6.01%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.9%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (2.1%), and White (Hispanic) (1.69%).

None of the households in Ames, IA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

94.8% of the residents in Ames, IA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Ames, IA are Iowa State University (8,681 degrees awarded in 2021) and PCI Academy-Ames (94 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Ames, IA was $190,800, and the homeownership rate was 61%.

Most people in Ames, IA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 19.2 minutes. The average car ownership in Ames, IA was 2 cars per household.

Ames, IA borders Boone, IA, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, Marshalltown, IA, and Newton, IA.

United States Iowa

Population & Diversity

Ames, IA is home to a population of 125k people, from which 94.8% are citizens. As of 2021, 7.62% of Ames, IA residents were born outside of the country (9.52k people).

In 2021, there were 14.2 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (106k people) in Ames, IA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 7.5k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 3.62k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

94.8%

2021 Citizenship

94.1%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 94.8% of Ames, IA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Ames, IA was 94.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Ames, IA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Ames, IA

White (Non-Hispanic)
106k ± 375
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
7.5k ± 374
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
3.62k ± 571

3.51%

Hispanic Population

4.38k people

3.51% of the people in Ames, IA are hispanic (4.38k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Ames, IA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Iowa.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
41,634 ± 4,977 people
India
10,950 ± 2,565 people
Vietnam
8,674 ± 2,283 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Iowa was Mexico, the natal country of 41,634 Iowa residents, followed by India with 10,950 and Vietnam with 8,674.

Foreign-Born Population

7.62%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

9.52k people

8.01%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

9.91k people

As of 2021, 7.62% of Ames, IA residents (9.52k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Ames, IA was 8.01%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Ames, IA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,597 ± 250
Gulf War (2001-)
1,495 ± 325
Gulf War (1990s)
546 ± 160

Ames, IA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.07 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Ames, IA employs 65.5k people. The largest industries in Ames, IA are Educational Services (13,918 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (8,149 people), and Retail Trade (7,068 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($65,089), Finance & Insurance ($63,066), and Public Administration ($62,511).

Males in Iowa have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $50,335. The income inequality in Iowa (measured using the Gini index) is 0.439, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

65.5k

2021 Value

± 1,871

−0.185%

1 Year decline

± 4.04%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Ames, IA declined at a rate of −0.185%, from 65.6k employees to 65.5k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Ames, IA, are Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (7,706 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (6,854 people), and Management Occupations (6,601 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Ames, IA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Iowa (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

View Full Dashboard

Industries

Employment by Industries

65.5k

2021 Value

± 1,871

−0.185%

1 Year decline

± 4.04%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Ames, IA declined at a rate of −0.185%, from 65.6k employees to 65.5k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Ames, IA, are Educational Services (13,918 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (8,149 people), and Retail Trade (7,068 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Ames, IA, though some of these residents may live in Ames, IA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$43,580

Median earning men ± $1,117

$30,493

Median earning women ± $1,554

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($76,000), Public Administration ($67,321), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($62,774).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Construction ($69,904), Public Administration ($57,344), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($47,641).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Iowa. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Iowa.

View Full Dashboard

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

648
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
524
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
468
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$1.08M
Manufacturing
$640k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$197k
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Iowa to other states, or from other states to Iowa.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

Meat/seafood
$20.6B
Mixed freight
$19.9B
Machinery
$19.1B

In 2020, the top outbound Iowa product (by dollars) was Meat/seafood with $20.6B, followed by Mixed freight ($19.9B) and Machinery ($19.1B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Iowa products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Iowa.

$252B

2020 Value in Iowa

$518B

Projected 2050 Value in Iowa

105% growth

In 2020, total outbound Iowa trade was $252B. This is expected to increase 105% to $518B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Iowa trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Iowa to other states, or from other states to Iowa.

Most Common Trade Partners

Illinois
$21.2B
Minnesota
$16.2B
Texas
$10.8B

In 2020, the top outbound Iowa domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Illinois with $21.2B, followed by Minnesota with $16.2B and Texas and $10.8B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Iowa shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Iowa went to Donald J. Trump with 52.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (44.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.16%).

Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst are the senators currently representing the state of Iowa. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Iowa is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Ames, IA. Showing the available data for Iowa.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (52.8%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (44.6%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.16%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Iowa went to Donald J. Trump with 52.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (44.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.16%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Iowa for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Iowa

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

Chuck Grassley

Senator from Iowa

Assumed office on January 3, 1981

Joni Ernst

Senator from Iowa

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst are the senators currently representing Iowa.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Iowa over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Iowa

Iowa is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Iowa have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Ames, IA awarded 8,775 degrees. The student population of Ames, IA in 2021 is skewed towards men, with 16,950 male students and 13,891 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Ames, IA are White (6,317 and 79.4%), followed by Unknown (459 and 5.77%), Hispanic or Latino (451 and 5.67%), and Asian (297 and 3.73%).

The largest universities in Ames, IA by number of degrees awarded are Iowa State University (8,681 and 98.9%) and PCI Academy-Ames (94 and 1.07%).

The most popular majors in Ames, IA are Mechanical Engineering (451 and 5.14%), Information Technology (283 and 3.23%), and General Finance (282 and 3.21%).

The median tuition cost in Ames, IA for a public four year colleges is $8,324 for in-state students and $24,136 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Ames, IA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 91.1%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 29%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 30,841 (55% men and 45% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 30,841 students enrolled in Ames, IA, 55% men and 45% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 22,388 records, of which 45.6% were women and 54.4% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Mechanical Engineering
451 degree-majors awarded
General Marketing & Marketing Management
270 degree-majors awarded
General Finance
258 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Ames, IA was Mechanical Engineering with 451 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Ames, IA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Iowa State University
8,681 degrees awarded
PCI Academy-Ames
94 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Iowa State University with 8,681 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 4,633 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Ames, IA, which is 1.12 times more than the 4,142 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 6,317 degrees mean that there were 13.8 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 459 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($8,324) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,310) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,001) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

Measure

In 2021, 0.63% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.621% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (742k), Some college (567k), and Bachelors Degree (459k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Ames, IA was $190,800 in 2021, which is 0.779 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $179,700 to $190,800, a 6.18% increase. The homeownership rate in Ames, IA is 61%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Ames, IA have an average commute time of 19.2 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Ames, IA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Ames, IA is $63,814. In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Ames, IA was Dallas County, IA with a value of $93,492, followed by Warren County, IA and Madison County, IA, with respective values of $85,189 and $79,306.

Housing

Property

$190,800

Median Property Value 2021

±$5,591

$29,700

Median Property Taxes

±$1,108

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Ames, IA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Ames, IA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

61%

Homeownership

2021

63.5%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 61% of the housing units in Ames, IA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 59.7%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Ames, IA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Ames, IA was Dallas County, IA with a value of $93,492, followed by Warren County, IA and Madison County, IA, with respective values of $85,189 and $79,306.

The following map shows all of the counties in Ames, IA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$63,814

Median Household Income

± $1,594

48.7k

Number of Households

± 1,591

In 2021, the median household income of the 48.7k households in Ames, IA grew to $63,814 from the previous year's value of $60,442.

The following chart displays the households in Ames, IA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Ames, IA is from Iowa.

0.439

2021 Wage GINI in Iowa

0.438

2020 Wage GINI in Iowa

In 2021, the income inequality in Iowa was 0.439 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.221% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Iowa was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Iowa in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Iowa across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (72.5%)
Worked At Home (8.81%)
Carpooled (7.11%)

In 2021, 72.5% of workers in Ames, IA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (8.81%) and those who carpooled to work (7.11%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

19.2 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Ames, IA have a shorter commute time (19.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.22% of the workforce in Ames, IA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Ames, IA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Ames, IA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Ames, IA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

16.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Ames, IA (18.6k out of 113k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 18 - 24, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Ames, IA is White, followed by Asian and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

95% of the population of Ames, IA has health coverage, with 63.5% on employee plans, 8.47% on Medicaid, 10.1% on Medicare, 11.8% on non-group plans, and 1.2% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Iowa see 1347 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.737% decrease from the previous year (1357 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1436 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 569 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

1,347 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Iowa

Primary care physicians in Iowa see an average of 1,347 patients per year. This represents a 0.737% decrease from the previous year (1,357 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Iowa in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 20.3% under 18 years, 35.7% between 18 and 34 years, 30.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 13.3% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 51% were men and 49% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

4.99%

Uninsured

63.5%

Employer Coverage

8.47%

Medicaid

10.1%

Medicare

11.8%

Non-Group

1.2%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Ames, IA grew by 6.25% from 4.7% to 4.99%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Ames, IA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.