Ames
City in Story County, Iowa
Ames is a city in Story County, Iowa, with 66,427 residents (2020 Census). It sits at 942 ft (287 m) above sea level. The nearest town is Kelley, 5.6 miles S.
- 66,427residents (2020 Census)
- 942 ftelevation · 287 m
- 28.9 sq miland area · 74.7 km²
- 2,302 / sq mipopulation density
- 50012main ZIP code (4 in total)
About Ames
Ames () is a city in Story County, Iowa, United States, located approximately 30 miles (48 km) north of Des Moines in central Iowa. It is the home of Iowa State University (ISU). According to the 2020 census, Ames had a population of 66,427, making it the state's ninth-most populous city. Iowa State University was home to 30,177 students as of fall 2023, which make up approximately one half of the city's population.
A United States Department of Energy national laboratory, Ames National Laboratory, is located on the ISU campus. Ames also hosts United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) sites: the largest federal animal disease center in the United States, the USDA Agricultural Research Service's National Animal Disease Center (NADC), as well as one of two national USDA sites for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which comprises the National Veterinary Services Laboratory and the Center for Veterinary Biologics. Ames also hosts the headquarters of the Iowa Department of Transportation.
Text: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ames weather: 7-day forecast
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Living in Ames
- Median household income
- $60,991
- Median home value
- $277,400
- Median rent
- $1,023/mo
- Median age
- 23.3
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Map of Ames
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Open in Google Maps ›Ames, IA population
Ames had 66,427 residents in the 2020 Census.
| 2020 Census | 66,427 |
|---|---|
| Density | 2,302 per sq mi (889 per km²) |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census.
Ames at a glance
| State | Iowa (IA) |
|---|---|
| County | Story County |
| Type | City |
| Population | 66,427 (2020) |
| Land area | 28.85 sq mi (74.7 km²) |
| Water area | 0.34 sq mi (0.89 km²) |
| Elevation | 942 ft (287 m) |
| Coordinates | 42.0257° N, 93.6225° W |
| ZIP codes | 50012, 50010, 50013, 50014 |
| Official website | cityofames.org |
| Census code (GEOID) | 1901855 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Gazetteer, ZCTA), USGS GNIS, Wikidata.
Towns near Ames
- Kelley5.6 mi S
- Gilbert5.7 mi N
- Nevada7.9 mi E
- Huxley9.2 mi S
- Cambridge9.6 mi SE
- Slater10.6 mi S
- Luther10.8 mi SW
- Story City11.2 mi N
- Roland11.5 mi NE
- Sheldahl11.8 mi S
- Boone12.9 mi W
- Madrid14.5 mi SW
Straight-line distance between town centers.
Frequently asked questions about Ames
What county is Ames in?
Ames is in Story County, Iowa.
What is the population of Ames, IA?
66,427 people lived in Ames at the 2020 Census.
What is the ZIP code of Ames, IA?
The main ZIP code is 50012. Other ZIP codes: 50010, 50013, 50014.
What is the elevation of Ames?
942 feet (287 m) above sea level.
What towns are near Ames?
Kelley (5.6 mi), Gilbert (5.7 mi), Nevada (7.9 mi), Huxley (9.2 mi), Cambridge (9.6 mi).
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