About Ames Iowa

Ames blends small-town charm with the energy and opportunities of a larger city. Located in central Iowa near Interstate 35 and Highway 30, it counted 66,427 residents in the 2020 Census, including Iowa State University students living in the city. Iowa State brings people from around the world to Ames, enriching the community through education, research, arts, and entertainment. Cyclone pride runs deep, from football Saturdays at Jack Trice Stadium to basketball at Hilton Coliseum, while the Cy-Hawk rivalry with the University of Iowa adds excitement throughout the sports calendar. Beyond campus, Ames offers a lively downtown, local shops and restaurants, community parks, miles of bike trails, golf courses, and year-round recreation. Schools, accessible healthcare, and businesses spanning agriculture, technology, and manufacturing help make Ames a welcoming place to learn, work, and call home.