Washington
RANK #548 / 996 NAT · #10 / 11 IA · POP 98,573
1YR FORECAST: +0.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +23%
Story County, Iowa, stands out as the home of Iowa State University in Ames, its largest city, which contributes to a dynamic local culture. Located in central Iowa, the county seat is Nevada. Story County is approximately 30-60 miles from Des Moines, with major highways like Interstate 35 and U.S. Highways 30, 65, and 69 providing transportation options. The landscape features gently rolling prairie interspersed with groves, offering outdoor recreation opportunities at places like McFarland Park and Hickory Grove Park, which provide hiking, fishing, and camping.
Life in Story County blends academic influence with a community-focused atmosphere. The public schools in Story County are highly rated, with several districts serving the area, including Ames, Ballard, and Gilbert. Most residents rely on private vehicles, though CyRide in Ames offers fixed-route bus services, and the Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency (HIRTA) provides public transportation throughout the county. The economy benefits from its educational institutions and ongoing investments in sectors like renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. Local economic development groups actively work to promote growth and job creation across the county's fifteen municipalities.
Above national median
Harsh climate or flat terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.7x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Story County Wind Farm
NextEra Energy Resources
|
$300M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Story County scores 44/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#548). Median household income is $66,197 and job growth is running at -0.3%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Story County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $229,100 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.29, with rents averaging $991/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Story County are both close to flat — population +0.5% YoY and jobs -0.3%. Home values shifted +2.6% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
In significant numbers — 8.54% of Story County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.