South Campus Area
Urban Core Neighborhood in Ames, Iowa
Story County 50014
Well-established single-family homes and campus housing
The median single-family home price is $355,000, higher than the city and state medians. Single-family home prices range from roughly $155,000 to $560,000. “These are older homes, so they draw people who like established neighborhoods and large trees,” Purcell says. “The homes may be old, but they are very, very well maintained.” The South Campus Area offers a mix of Cape Cods, Tudor Revivals and bungalows built from the 1910s through the late ‘40s. There are also various ranch styles and split-levels built from the 1950s through the ‘70s. Early-2000s condos are priced from roughly $130,000 to $180,000. Additionally, multiple apartment buildings were constructed from the 1980s through the 2010s. On the neighborhood’s north end, there are around two dozen Greek life houses. Over 800 students live at Wallace Residence Hall on the neighborhood’s southwest corner. “Big college parties are part of the environment for sure, but when you live close to campus, you know what you’re getting, and you have to embrace that lifestyle,” Purcell says.University sports facilities also host local athletic leagues
Iowa State’s track and field and cross-country programs practice and hold meets at Cyclone Sports Complex, which has pole vault areas, a 400-meter track, multiple soccer fields and a softball field. Just west of the neighborhood, Southwest Recreation Complex has multiple soccer fields, ultimate frisbee fields, softball fields and volleyball courts where Iowa State teams practice and local recreational leagues play games. Iowa State’s cross-country course is immediately south of the recreation complex, and is open to the public when events are not being held. Just south of the neighborhood, Gateway Park has a playground, picnic areas, a disc golf course, hiking trails and volleyball courts.The A-minus Niche-rated Ames Community School District
Students here may begin at Sawyer Elementary School, rated B on Niche. The school has a 13-to-1 student-teacher ratio, which is below the national average. Students move on to Ames Middle School, also rated B, and Ames High School, which has an A-minus. The high school opened its new $137 million building in 2022. All three schools have math and reading proficiencies above state and national averages.Big 12 sporting events and cultural venues throughout South Campus Area
Immediately east of South Campus Area, Jack Trice Stadium fills up with over 60,000 fans for Iowa State football games. “There’s a lot of traffic on gamedays, but you can also walk directly to the stadium,” Purcell says. The stadium has also hosted internationally renowned musical acts, including the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and George Strait. The men’s and women’s basketball teams play at Hilton Coliseum, also east of the neighborhood. Next to the coliseum, the university has two performing arts buildings and Brunnier Art Museum, a collection of decorative arts. Just off the neighborhood’s southeast corner, Reiman Gardens offers an indoor conservatory, several greenhouses and an indoor butterfly wing. The 17-acre space holds events like art fairs and an annual spring festival with live music and local craft vendors.Traveling around Ames
Mary Greeley Medical Center is just less than two miles east of the South Campus Area. Des Moines International Airport is about 40 miles south of the neighborhood via Interstate 35. Many of the neighborhood’s streets are lined with public bus stops that connect residents to the rest of the city.Eclectic cuisine on the city’s north end
Welch Avenue and Lincoln Way are lined with brick buildings housing local restaurants that contribute to the community's collegiate atmosphere. The Blue Owl Bar is a popular spot to shoot billiards, enjoy craft beer and watch sporting events. Tosca is a wood-furnished coffee house that serves fresh sandwiches and salads. There are also restaurants that serve Thai, Japanese and Brazilian fare. Grocery stores like Hy-Vee and Fareway Meat Market Less are less than five minutes west of the neighborhood.
Written By
William Palicia
Photography Contributed By
Dylan Stowell
Video By
Tyler Hall
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Andrew Bruellman
Andrew Bruellman
RE/MAX Concepts
(515) 575-2183
241 Total Sales
1 in South Campus Area
$242,000 Price
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Kyle Van Winkle
Kyle Van Winkle
RE/MAX Concepts-Ames
(515) 715-4952
237 Total Sales
5 in South Campus Area
$220K - $420K Price Range
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Paul Livingston
Paul Livingston
Hunziker & Associates, Inc.
(515) 715-4757
104 Total Sales
1 in South Campus Area
$895,000 Price
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John Livingston
John Livingston
Responds QuicklyHunziker & Associates, Inc.
(515) 686-6618
74 Total Sales
2 in South Campus Area
$310K - $895K Price Range
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Tony McFarland
Tony McFarland
Responds QuicklyFriedrich Iowa Realty
(402) 404-3387
234 Total Sales
5 in South Campus Area
$340K - $900K Price Range
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Chris Betts
Chris Betts
Responds QuicklyRe/Max Real Estate Center
(515) 686-5196
275 Total Sales
3 in South Campus Area
$350K - $395K Price Range
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Parks in this Area
Brookside Park
Moore Park
Gateway Park
Ames Dog Park
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | South Campus Area | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 3 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 8 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 2 | 4 |
| Robbery | 4 | 4 |
| Burglary | 6 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 | 4 |
| Larceny | 8 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 6 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
South Campus Area Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in South Campus Area, Ames sell after 26 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in South Campus Area, Ames over the last 12 months is $340,500, down 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$339,900
Median Sale Price
$340,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$362,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$205,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
31
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-7%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$216
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
249
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Median Year Built
1939
Months of Supply
0.40
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,600
Below the national average
1,933
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,143
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
915
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
8,276
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
6,994
Median Age
23
Population under 18
27.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
3.2%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$34,957
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$54,059
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
77.9%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
43.1%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
11.3%
% Population in Labor Force
58.8%
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
83
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
20
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Edwards
An active community with access to parks, a biking trail and college sports
Grand-Summit
An affordable community next to one of Iowa's best high schools
Oak-Riverside
A charming neighborhood next door to Jack Trice Stadium
Ontario
An Ames suburb offering convenience and relative affordability
Roosevelt
A mature suburb with a small-town charm just off Main Street
Timberland Road
A quiet Ames suburb with walkable access to a green space
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