Ames, IA Local Data & Statistics

State: IA

Total population: 67,669 Household income: $60,991 Rent: $1,023

Overview

Total population

67,669

Rent

$1,023

Year built

1992

Household income

$60,991

Per capita income

$34,343

Poverty rate

25.5%

Unemployment rate

2.0%

Household size

2.1 persons

Rent over 30% of income

48.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State

Iowa

Total population

67,669

Adults over 25

30,619

Total households

25,785

Household size

2.1 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Income & Poverty

Household income

$60,991

Per capita income

$34,343

Poverty rate

25.5%

Unemployment rate

2.0%

Rent over 30% of income

48.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Housing

Rent

$1,023

Year built

1992

Households that rent

57.9%

Households that own

42.1%

Rooms per home (all homes)

4.9

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Race

White

78.2%

Black

3.9%

Asian

9.3%

Two or more races

5.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino

5.1%

Not Hispanic or Latino

94.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Commute

Commute rate

87.9%

Commute time to work

16 mins

Work from home

12.1%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Education

Less than high school

14.9%

High school graduate or GED

11.8%

Some college or associate degree

7.6%

Bachelor’s degree or higher

65.8%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Comparison of Ames, IA with: Iowa United States

Ames, IA

Total population67,669

Rent$1,023

Year built1992

Household income$60,991

Per capita income$34,343

Poverty rate25.5%

Unemployment rate2.0%

Iowa State

Total population3,210,507

Rent$972

Year built1972

Household income$75,059

Per capita income$40,877

Poverty rate11.1%

Unemployment rate3%

United States

Total population334,922,499

Rent$1,413

Year built1980

Household income$80,734

Per capita income$44,673

Poverty rate12.5%

Unemployment rate4%

Metric	CityAmes, IA	StateIowa	CountryUnited States
Total population	67,669	3,210,507	334,922,499
Rent	$1,023	$972	$1,413
Year built	1992	1972	1980
Household income	$60,991	$75,059	$80,734
Per capita income	$34,343	$40,877	$44,673
Poverty rate	25.5%	11.1%	12.5%
Unemployment rate	2.0%	3%	4%

View the complete comparison of Ames, IA, Iowa and United States →

Summary for Ames, IA

Ames is located in Iowa.

Rent & Income

In Ames, the typical monthly rent is $1,023 and the typical household income is $60,991. Rent here is higher than Iowa and lower than the U.S., and household income is lower than both Iowa and the U.S. The estimated poverty rate is 25.5%, which is higher than in both Iowa and national.

Housing & Affordability

Renters make up about 57.9% of households, making this a predominantly renter area. About 48.9% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is very high, with about 65.8% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The local unemployment rate is 2.0%, which is lower than both Iowa and the national rate.

Ames, IA — Rent vs Household Income

Ames, IA — Poverty vs Unemployment

How Ames, IA compares in Iowa (11 places)

Metric	This place	Rank	Starts from	Statewide range
Rent	$1,023	6 / 11	from lower rent	$923 – $1,319
Household income	$60,991	9 / 11	from higher income	$57,480 – $108,198
Poverty rate	25.5%	10 / 11	from lower poverty	4.2% – 26.3%
Unemployment rate	2%	1 / 11	from lower unemployment	2% – 4.7%

Rankings are calculated among cities and communities in Iowa with total population > 50,000 (year 2024).

Detailed Ranking Explanation for Ames, IA

Rent

In rent comparisons, Ames comes in 6th out of 11 large places. Across Iowa, rents vary from $923 in Waterloo, IA to $1,319 in Ankeny, IA.

Household income

Looking at household income, Ames places 9th out of 11 significant areas. Incomes across Iowa range between $57,480 in Waterloo, IA and $108,198 in Ankeny, IA.

Poverty rate

Ames places 10th out of 11 large communities for poverty. Statewide figures move from 4.2% in Ankeny, IA up to 26.3% in Iowa City, IA.

Unemployment rate

For unemployment, Ames ranks 1st out of 11 large places. Across Iowa, unemployment ranges from 2% in Ames, IA to 4.7% in Waterloo, IA.

💰 Rent in Ames, IA (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,023 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in Ames, IA

Annual Household Income: $60,991

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in Ames, IA

Estimated Rate: 25.5%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in Ames, IA

In Ames, IA, households that rent: 14,934 (57.9%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?

Household Type	Count	Share
Renter-Occupied	14,934	57.9%
Owner-Occupied	10,851	42.1%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in Ames, IA

In Ames, IA, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 7,302 (48.9%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?

Household Group	Households	Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%)	7,302	48.9%
Other renter households	7,632	51.1%
Total renter households	14,934	100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in Ames, IA

Less than High School: 4,554 people (14.9%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 3,598 people (11.8%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 2,334 people (7.6%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 20,133 people (65.8%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 30,619

📊 Unemployment Rate in Ames, IA

Estimated Rate: 2.0%

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

Similar Population

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ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.