Within a few miles, residents of Ames can visit a commercial downtown district, spend the day at the lake in Ada Hayden Heritage Park or feel the Hilton magic on campus at Iowa State University. This central Iowa city’s economy is bolstered by the university and the Iowa Department of Transportation, while others commute the 40 miles south to Des Moines for work. The city’s highly rated public schools are attractive to families. “Housing affordability is certainly up there,” says Paul Livingston, an area Realtor with Hunziker & Associates who has more than 20 years of industry experience. “Although perhaps we’re one of the more expensive cities in the state of Iowa, as I’ve had the opportunity to work with a number of people through the years from different parts of the country, Ames is clearly affordable when compared to most.”
Ada Hayden Heritage Park on Ames' north side boasts a lake and miles of walking trails.
Ames residents are firm believers in Hilton Magic, as they file into Hilton Coliseum.
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Ames can be accessible to a mix of buyers
Most of Ames’ residential areas come with a suburban feel, complete with winding sidewalk-lined blocks dotted with trees. Traditional single-family homes here start at around $135,000 — buyers can find options built in the early to mid-20th century from that mark and up to $470,000, depending on square footage and lot size. These homes are organized into established neighborhoods like Brandshell and Ontario .
Modern homes, constructed in the 1990s through recent years, fill Sunset Ridge and Bloomington Heights and are priced between $200,000 and $900,000. Ranch, bungalow, colonial and new traditional Craftsman are common styles around the city. Condos and townhomes are priced between $100,000 and $500,000, too. But buyers may have to move quickly — Livingston says the median days on the market for Ames listings in 2024 was 11 days. “That does vary slightly by price range,” Livingston says. “That changes once you get over $500,000. That market, though not slow, is comparatively slower.” The median home price is around $315,000.
The ranch homes of Brandshell provide comfort and a welcoming charm for Ames residents.
Ames boasts a variety of housing styles, like the Colonial Revival of Bloomington Heights.
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Iowa State University is the city’s largest employer
Situated on roughly 2,000 acres in western Ames, Iowa State University has a major influence on the city’s economy. Not only does ISU have 30,400 total students, but it’s also Ames’ largest employer with more than 10,000 people, according to the Ames Regional Economic Alliance. The Iowa Department of Transportation is headquartered in the city, employing thousands more. Institutions like the 220-bed Mary Greeley Medical Center in North Old Town offer jobs in healthcare, and companies like 3M and mobile hydraulics producer Danfoss have opportunities in manufacturing.
Danfoss out in east Ames is one of the city's largest employers.
Ames is home to the Iowa Department of Transportation headquarters.
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Ames Community School District rates an A-minus on Niche
The area schools are a huge factor for buyers who have kids or are planning to, Livingston says. Most students in town attend the Ames Community School District, which earns an A-minus rating on Niche. But the A-rated Gilbert Community School District, B-plus-rated Nevada Community School District and B-plus-rated United Community District serve certain parts of the city.
The sports programs at the A-minus-rated Ames High, part of the Ames Community School District, have an illustrious history with more than 90 state championships combined. That’s a record for high schools across the state. The academics are rigorous, too. “Ames High can give you anything and everything that you want and need to challenge that outstanding student,” Livingston says.
Iowa State University offers bachelor's and master's degrees. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and College of Veterinary Medicine are highly rated programs. The College of Engineering and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences have high enrollments. Just over half of Iowa’s student population is from the state. A section of the city known as Campustown offers students a close-by array of restaurants and other businesses, and the campus is also just about 2 miles from downtown. ISU athletic events are a popular draw. “I think Iowa State and the community of Ames do an excellent job of building bridges and trying to stay interconnected, knowing that, ultimately, we’re rowing in the same boat, trying to go in the same direction.”
Ames' Iowa State University boasts an exceptional engineering program.
Ames High School prepares North Old Town teens for bright futures.
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Main Street is a walkable corridor
Downtown Ames exists in an orbit around Main Street, a walkable stretch full of cafes and other restaurants, clothing stores and banks. “Over the years I think we find a really nice mix of retail, banking, financial services, nice restaurants, bars, coffee shops, jewelry stores,” Livingston says. “So people are just finding their niche.”
The Ames History Museum is downtown with exhibits dedicated to telling the history of this city that was founded in the mid-19th century. The Main Street Farmers Market is open on Saturdays downtown from May to October, and the annual Fourth of July Parade rolls through in the summer before fireworks at ISU’s Jack Trice Stadium.
Duff Avenue, not far from Main Street, offers big-box stores, while South Campus Area ’s assortment of local spots close to ISU resembles downtown, another walkable section of the city.
Meeker North is just blocks from the revitalized Downtown Ames.
Campustown is a neat little section of Ames full of shops and restaurants next to campus.
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Spots like Ada Hayden add opportunity for outdoor recreation
Ames balances a good bit of green space around its residential corridors, commercial offerings and the sprawling Iowa State campus. The city has a total of almost 40 parks. “We take pride in that,” Livingston says. The options range from small spots like Franklin Park, which places a playground within walking distance of several homes, to the 437-acre Ada Hayden Heritage Park, where there’s a lake. “It’s a real gem,” Livingston says of Ada Hayden. “It’s utilized all the time.” Those looking for an indoor option have the Ames/ISU Ice Arena, which is open to public skating, and the Ames Parks and Recreation Community Center, where there’s a weight room and basketball courts.
The city experiences all four seasons, from warm summers to winters, with average temperatures in the teens. The area is also in a part of the country known to experience tornadoes — Iowa has averaged 69 tornadoes a year since 2010, according to a Des Moines Register database.
Ada Hayden Heritage Park is a sprawling green space on Ames' north side.
Ames locals love local Franklin Park for its convenience and amenities.
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Interstate 35 is a link to other locales
A portion of I-35 cuts through Ames. I-35 is a connection to Des Moines, 40 miles south, which is Iowa’s capital and where some work. “Most people in Ames are within a 40- or 45-minute commute to Des Moines,” Livingston says. “I know a number of people who make that commute each day.” Those traveling out of town can fly out of the Des Moines International Airport, too, 42 miles away. Ames also has its own bus service, CyRide, which has 13 routes.
Crime
The city experienced a slight increase in overall crime from 2022 to 2023, according to Iowa Department of Public Safety statistics. Still, Ames’ rates of violent and property crime are below national levels, according to the FBI Crime Data Explorer.
On average, homes in Ames, IA sell after 63 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Ames, IA over the last 12 months is $512,000, up 52% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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