Story County Demographics

A map of Story County's Population by Race

Story County, Iowa has an estimated population of 100,466, a slight increase from the 98,537 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 81.0% White, 6.6% Asian, 5.2% Hispanic, 4.0% Multiracial, 2.7% Black, and 0.5% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Story County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Story is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is 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 Story County, that probability was 33.3% in 2020 and 33.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Story County is ranked the 8th most populous county in Iowa, out of 99 counties. Story County was ranked the 9th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Story County's White Population

81,361 residents of Story County, or 81.0% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Story County is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 82.3% of the population is White. Story County ranks 84th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Story County's White population has grown by an estimated 1.8%. White residents' share of Story County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 81.0%.

Story County is more White than neighboring Polk County (73.2% White), and Marshall County (66% White). Story County is less White than neighboring Hardin County (90.1% White), Hamilton County (83.8% White), and Boone County (92.9% White).

Story County's Black Population

2,711 residents of Story County, or 2.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Story County is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 3.8% of the population is Black. Story County ranks 11th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Story County's Black population has declined by an estimated 9.0%. Black residents' share of Story County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.7%.

Story County is more Black than neighboring Hardin County (1.1% Black), Hamilton County (1% Black), Marshall County (1.6% Black), and Boone County (1.2% Black). Story County is less Black than neighboring Polk County (7.3% Black).

Story County's Asian Population

6,641 residents of Story County, or 6.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Story County is slightly higher than in Iowa overall, where 2.5% of the population is Asian. Story County ranks 3rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Story County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 22.0%. Asian residents' share of Story County's population has increased from 5.5% to 6.6%.

Story County is more Asian than neighboring Polk County (4.9% Asian), Hardin County (0.8% Asian), Hamilton County (2.3% Asian), Marshall County (4.1% Asian), and Boone County (0.2% Asian).

Story County's Hispanic Population

5,184 residents of Story County, or 5.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Story County is slightly lower than in Iowa overall, where 7.3% of the population is Hispanic. Story County ranks 31st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Story County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 3.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Story County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.2%.

Story County is more Hispanic than neighboring Boone County (2.9% Hispanic). Story County is less Hispanic than neighboring Polk County (10.4% Hispanic), Hardin County (5.5% Hispanic), Hamilton County (10.1% Hispanic), and Marshall County (24.6% Hispanic).

Story County's Native American/Other Population

520 residents of Story County, 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 Story County is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Story County ranks 25th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Story County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 11.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Story County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Story County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Polk County (0.4% Native American/Other), Hardin County (0.4% Native American/Other), and Boone County (0% Native American/Other). Story County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Hamilton County (0.7% Native American/Other), and Marshall County (0.6% Native American/Other).

Story County's Multiracial Population

4,049 residents of Story County, or 4.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Story County is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 3.5% of the population is Multiracial. Story County ranks 3rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Story County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 11.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Story County's population has decreased from 4.6% to 4.0%.

Story County is more Multiracial than neighboring Polk County (3.8% Multiracial), Hardin County (2.1% Multiracial), Hamilton County (2.2% Multiracial), Marshall County (3.2% Multiracial), and Boone County (2.8% 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.