Ames ZIP Code List — Story County, IA

There are 5 unique ZIP codes in Ames, Iowa. Area code: 515.
5
ZIP codes
115.48
sq mi land
0.42
sq mi water
515
area code
Ames, IA ZIP code map

About Ames, IA

Ames, Iowa, is a vibrant city located in Story County, known for its rich educational and cultural resources. As home to Iowa State University, Ames serves as a hub for innovation and research, attracting students and professionals from various fields. The city's balance of urban amenities and a close-knit community atmosphere makes it an appealing place to live and work.

Location & geography

Ames is situated in the central part of Iowa, approximately 30 miles north of Des Moines. It is bordered by several small towns, including Gilbert to the north and Huxley to the east, providing residents with quaint options for nearby excursions. The city encompasses a total land area of 115.48 square miles, with a small water area of 0.42 square miles, making it rich in both natural resources and developed spaces.

Community & economy

The character of Ames is shaped by its diverse population, largely influenced by the presence of Iowa State University, which fuels a vibrant cultural and social life. Various industries, including education, technology, and agriculture, contribute to the local economy, providing ample job opportunities for residents. Daily life in Ames is marked by community events, parks, and recreational activities, fostering a strong sense of belonging among its citizens.

Transportation

Ames is well-connected by several major highways, including U.S. Route 30 and Iowa State Highway 69, facilitating easy access to neighboring areas. The nearest airport is the Des Moines International Airport, located about 35 miles south, providing both domestic and limited international flights. Local transit options also exist, allowing residents to navigate through the city conveniently.

History

Ames was founded in 1864 and quickly developed as a center for education and agriculture due to the establishment of Iowa State University in 1858. The city has evolved into a thriving center for innovation, particularly in agricultural sciences and engineering. Notable events in Ames's history include its designation as an All-America City and its recognition for sustainable practices.

Did you know?

Ames is notable not only for its educational institutions but also for its extensive network of bike trails and parks, promoting an active lifestyle. Additionally, the city hosts an annual event called 'The Ames Main Street Farmers' Market,' which highlights local produce and crafts.

ZIP codes for Ames, IA (5)
ZIP code City County Map
50010 Ames Story View map
50011 Ames Story View map
50012 Ames Story View map
50013 Ames Story View map
50014 Ames Story View map

Demographics & statistics

64,773
Population
26.1
Median age
$59,592
Median household income
$34,878
Per capita income
$262,300
Median home value
$1,011
Median monthly rent
44.7%
Home ownership
24.9%
Poverty rate
6.4%
Unemployment
14,384
Housing units
63.3%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
1,362
Under 5
1,180
1,333
5–9
1,154
1,142
10–14
989
3,026
15–19
2,620
10,424
20–24
9,026
4,807
25–34
4,161
3,325
35–44
2,878
2,299
45–54
1,991
1,461
55–59
1,265
1,311
60–64
1,135
2,495
65–74
2,160
1,130
75–84
979
600
85+
520
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 188,77513.5%
18 and over55,99886.5%
65 and over7,88412.1%
Median age26.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 76.8%
Asian 10.3%
Two or more races 4.8%
Black or African American 3.2%
Hispanic or Latino 3.1%
Other race 1.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%
GroupCount%
White51,36076.8%
Asian6,87610.3%
Two or more races3,2024.8%
Black or African American2,1583.2%
Hispanic or Latino2,0653.1%
Other race9421.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native1900.3%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander450.1%

Household income

Under $10k 9.4%
$10k–$15k 5.1%
$15k–$25k 8.9%
$25k–$35k 7.6%
$35k–$50k 11.3%
$50k–$75k 18.4%
$75k–$100k 12.8%
$100k–$150k 13.4%
$150k–$200k 6.3%
$200k+ 7.0%
Range% of households
Under $10k9.4%
$10k–$15k5.1%
$15k–$25k8.9%
$25k–$35k7.6%
$35k–$50k11.3%
$50k–$75k18.4%
$75k–$100k12.8%
$100k–$150k13.4%
$150k–$200k6.3%
$200k+7.0%
Median income$59,592

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.7%
$50k–$100k 2.1%
$100k–$150k 5.6%
$150k–$200k 13.3%
$200k–$300k 36.5%
$300k–$500k 29.8%
$500k–$1M 8.0%
$1M+ 0.1%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$262,300
Median rent / month$1,011
Owner occupied44.7%
Renter occupied55.3%
Vacant7.7%
Single-family detached41.0%
Large apartment buildings19.6%
Mobile homes2.8%
Median rooms5.0
Avg household size (owned)2.43

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.6%
2010–201917.0%
2000–200916.7%
1990–199917.4%
1980–19898.3%
1970–197911.4%
1960–19699.4%
1950–19596.9%
1940–19492.5%
1939 or earlier10.1%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)3.2%
1 bedroom15.5%
2 bedrooms31.8%
3 bedrooms27.4%
4 bedrooms18.4%
5+ bedrooms3.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle7.8%
1 vehicle36.1%
2 vehicles35.9%
3 or more20.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas65.3%
Electricity29.0%
Propane / LP gas3.7%
Wood0.1%
Solar0.3%
No fuel used0.3%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family9,23434.1%
Cohabiting couple2,1007.8%
Male householder, no spouse8,17330.5%
Female householder, no spouse7,47827.7%
Households with children under 184,64517.2%
Households with seniors (65+)5,84521.5%
Average household size2.21

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married61.7%52.6%
Married31.4%36.1%
Separated0.6%0.7%
Widowed2.4%4.0%
Divorced4.1%6.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.9%
Some HS, no diploma 1.6%
HS graduate 10.9%
Some college, no degree 14.8%
Associate's degree 8.7%
Bachelor's degree 32.9%
Graduate / professional 30.4%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher97.6%
Bachelor's or higher63.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool7492.6%
Kindergarten4881.7%
Elementary school3,50812.0%
High school1,9836.8%
College / grad school22,98577.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 38.8%
Arts, food & hospitality 10.8%
Retail trade 10.2%
Manufacturing 9.1%
Professional & management 8.8%
Finance & real estate 4.5%
Public administration 3.8%
Construction 3.8%
Transportation & utilities 2.9%
Other services 2.2%
Wholesale trade 2.0%
Agriculture & mining 1.9%
Information 1.5%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts50.0%
Service17.5%
Sales & office17.2%
Natural resources & construction5.8%
Production & transportation9.6%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector65.4%
Government32.0%
Self-employed2.6%
Unpaid family workers0.1%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone66.7%
Carpool8.0%
Public transit6.6%
Walk6.1%
Other means2.2%
Avg commute (minutes)16.4

Poverty

All people 24.9%
Under 18 years 6.8%
18 and over 27.8%
Married-couple families 1.7%
Female-led households 24.3%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security20.1%
Retirement income17.5%
Supplemental Security1.7%
Cash public assistance1.3%
Food stamps / SNAP4.4%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure21.8%
High cholesterol23.3%
Heart disease3.9%
Stroke1.8%
Asthma10.1%
Arthritis15.2%
Kidney disease2.0%
Pulmonary disease4.3%
Cancer4.2%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking23.7%
No physical activity18.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep27.1%
Fair or poor health9.8%
Poor mental health14.9%
Poor physical health7.1%
No health insurance8.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)68.8%
Visited dentist68.3%
Cholesterol screening79.6%
Teeth loss10.0%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans2,2024.0%
Disability%
Any disability8.5%
Under 181.9%
18–64 years6.6%
65 and over27.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance84.3%
Public insurance19.8%
Uninsured under 192.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only62,23196.1%
Spanish3,3615.4%
Other Indo-European2450.4%
Asian & Pacific Islander4590.8%
Other languages2,4714.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)56,46787.2%
Born in same state55,76386.1%
Born in different state35,56355.0%
Foreign born7041.1%
Naturalized citizen8,30612.8%
Not a US citizen2,61131.9%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Italian7,91512.2%
French6,0819.4%
Polish4,1546.4%
Arab1,4682.3%
English1,4092.2%
AncestryCount%
Dutch1,0561.6%
German1650.3%
Irish1350.2%
Norwegian1150.2%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access41.7%
Internet access97.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Ames, IA have?
Ames, IA has 5 ZIP codes: 50010, 50011, 50012, 50013, 50014. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
What is the main ZIP code for Ames, IA?
The primary ZIP code for Ames, IA is 50010. The city uses area code 515 for phone service.
What county is Ames, IA in?
Ames is located in Story County, Iowa.
How many ZIP codes are in Ames, IA?
Ames, IA has 5 ZIP codes.
What ZIP code covers the Iowa State University campus area in Ames?
The Iowa State University campus is primarily located in ZIP code 50011, which encompasses the main academic and residential areas of the university.
Which ZIP codes serve the downtown Ames business district?
Downtown Ames, centered around Main Street and the historic downtown core, is primarily served by ZIP codes 50010 and 50011.
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