Ames

Ames, Iowa Overview

Ames earns an overall grade of B+ with a composite score of 56.6 out of 100, ranking #318 of 20 cities in Iowa. The city's strongest category is Safety (86/100) while its biggest challenge is Fiscal Health (18/100).

Income & Employment in Ames

The median household income in Ames is $58,693 according to Census ACS data. The unemployment rate is 2.3%. The city's population grew 0.9% recently, indicating strong demand.

Safety in Ames

Ames has a violent crime rate of 172.7 per 100,000 residents. This is considered low, making it one of the safer cities in the state. The property crime rate is 1390.2 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Ames

Ames has a cost of living index of 91.4 (where 100 equals the national average), which is well below the national average. The median home value is $263,800. Median monthly rent is $1,040. Overall, Ames offers below-average costs relative to the rest of the country.

Health & Wellness in Ames

The adult obesity rate in Ames is 31.1% according to CDC PLACES data. The diabetes prevalence rate is 6.4%. Residents report an average of 20.1 poor mental health days per month. These health indicators are important for assessing overall quality of life in Ames, Iowa.

Education & Schools in Ames

Ames has 8 public schools serving 4,701 students. The high school graduation rate is 93%, well above the national average. The student-teacher ratio is 14.9:1, indicating smaller class sizes. The district spends $13,278 per student. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate in Ames

Ames has an annual average temperature of 52.2°F. Summers average 73.7°F. Winters average 29.6°F. The city receives approximately 30.2 inches of precipitation per year.

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