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Life in Ames, Iowa

Unsurpassed Quality of Life

Beneath the small town charm of Ames, Iowa, beats the heart of a much larger city. With a population of more than 65,000, Ames offers cultural, recreational, educational, business, and entertainment amenities more common in bigger metros. As a growing city, Ames continues to focus on building a strong community filled with opportunities for all.

In 2015, Ames was named one of the “15 Cities That Have Done the Best Since the Recession” by Bloomberg Business and one of the top 25 “Best Places for STEM Grads.” Ames ranked No. 8 by Niche Ranking for “Best Towns for Millennials in America.” In 2019, Ames was named “Best College Town in America” by 24/7 Wall St. Additionally, USA Today named Ames as the healthiest city in America!

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These awards highlight the wonderful aspects of Ames that residents have enjoyed for years – friendly people, beautiful parks, great shopping, progressive schools, cultural and entertainment venues, quality healthcare, and recreational opportunities in every season. In 2015, the Ames Public Library celebrated its first anniversary in its expanded facility after an $18-million renovation that nearly doubled its size. A groundbreaking was held to mark the construction of a new, state-of-the-art $75-million water treatment plant, and the Ames Power Plant has converted from coal-produced electricity to cleaner natural gas. Throughout Ames, there is evidence of our growth.

In addition to winning numerous awards for being a progressive, innovative, and exciting community, Ames has been recognized locally, regionally,nationally, and internationally for our schools, creativity, commitment to the environment, and numerous amenities. Ames and Iowa State together offer an unsurpassed quality of life.

Highlights of Ames

Attractive Campus

Home to Iowa State University, Ames not only educates students from around the globe, but has become a player in developing the world's bio-economic future. No visit to Ames would be complete without experiencing Iowa State University. The campus boasts large expanses of green space, attractive buildings, and more than 36,000 students. The University brings excitement and vitality to our city and provides cultural and entertainment options typically found only in larger cities.

Top-Quality Opportunities

Ames is a city offering top-quality education from kindergarten to advanced degrees, and Ames High School routinely boasts the highest number of National Merit Scholar Finalists in the state. Small class sizes and experienced teachers with advanced degrees make the schools districts serving Ames the example for others. As the medical hub for multiple counties, health care in Ames is accessible and advanced with medical professionals offering state-of-the-art medical intervention close to home.

Recreational Actives

Enjoy the outdoors? Ames offers four seasons of recreational activities through more than 36 parks, 55 miles of bike trails, golf courses, and more. Centrally and conveniently located in the heart of the Midwest and Iowa, Ames is known for its robust, stable economy, flourishing cultural environment, comprehensive medical care, top-quality schools, acres of parks and recreational opportunities, and the world-renowned Iowa State University.

World Class

Ames is an attractive location for new businesses to locate and for existing businesses to expand. World class companies including 3M, Barilla, Becker Underwood, Boehringer Ingelheim, Hach, Danfoss, Syngenta are thriving in Ames.