Ames, IA Demographics

A map of Ames's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	51,976	50,664	76.8%	76.3%
Asian	6,310	5,244	9.3%	7.9%
Hispanic	3,476	3,948	5.1%	5.9%
Multiracial	2,987	3,458	4.4%	5.2%
Black	2,579	2,733	3.8%	4.1%
Native American/Other	341	380	0.5%	0.6%

Ames, Iowa has an estimated population of 67,669, a slight increase from the 66,427 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 76.8% White, 9.3% Asian, 5.1% Hispanic, 4.4% Multiracial, 3.8% Black, and 0.5% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Ames, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Ames has become slightly less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Iowa overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Ames, that probability was 40.4% in 2020 and 39.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Ames is ranked the 8th most populous place in Iowa, out of 1,026 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Ames was ranked the 9th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Ames's White Population

51,976 residents of Ames, or 76.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Ames is lower than in Iowa overall, where 82.3% of the population is White. Ames ranks 981st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ames's White population has grown by an estimated 2.6%. White residents' share of Ames's population has increased from 76.3% to 76.8%.

Ames is less White than neighboring Gilbert (87.2% White), Kelley (85.3% White), Huxley (93.3% White), Cambridge (86.7% White), and Nevada (84.4% White).

Ames's Black Population

2,579 residents of Ames, or 3.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Ames is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 3.8% of the population is Black. Ames ranks 42nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ames's Black population has declined by an estimated 5.6%. Black residents' share of Ames's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.8%.

Ames is more Black than neighboring Gilbert (0.1% Black), Huxley (1.1% Black), Cambridge (0.2% Black), and Nevada (0.5% Black). Ames is less Black than neighboring Kelley (5% Black).

Ames's Asian Population

6,310 residents of Ames, or 9.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Ames is higher than in Iowa overall, where 2.5% of the population is Asian. Ames ranks 6th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ames's Asian population has grown by an estimated 20.3%. Asian residents' share of Ames's population has increased from 7.9% to 9.3%.

Ames is more Asian than neighboring Gilbert (2.8% Asian), Kelley (0.8% Asian), Huxley (1.2% Asian), Cambridge (0.1% Asian), and Nevada (0.1% Asian).

Ames's Hispanic Population

3,476 residents of Ames, or 5.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Ames is slightly lower than in Iowa overall, where 7.3% of the population is Hispanic. Ames ranks 185th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ames's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 12.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Ames's population has decreased from 5.9% to 5.1%.

Ames is more Hispanic than neighboring Gilbert (3.4% Hispanic), Kelley (4.7% Hispanic), and Huxley (1.8% Hispanic). Ames is less Hispanic than neighboring Cambridge (8.6% Hispanic), and Nevada (9.3% Hispanic).

Ames's Native American/Other Population

341 residents of Ames, or 0.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Ames is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Ames ranks 290th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ames's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 10.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Ames's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Ames is more Native American/Other than neighboring Huxley (0% Native American/Other). Ames is less Native American/Other than neighboring Gilbert (2.8% Native American/Other), Kelley (1.3% Native American/Other), Cambridge (1.4% Native American/Other), and Nevada (0.7% Native American/Other).

Ames's Multiracial Population

2,987 residents of Ames, or 4.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Ames is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 3.5% of the population is Multiracial. Ames ranks 94th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ames's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 13.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Ames's population has decreased from 5.2% to 4.4%.

Ames is more Multiracial than neighboring Gilbert (3.8% Multiracial), Kelley (2.9% Multiracial), Huxley (2.6% Multiracial), and Cambridge (3% Multiracial). Ames is less Multiracial than neighboring Nevada (5.1% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.