City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Ames, TX

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Ames - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

1,085
Residents
$44,236
Median income
$153,800
Median home
$1,573
Median rent (state)

Ames - the verdict

Nationally, Ames sits in the 12th percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

12th
percentile, household income
28th
percentile, home value
62nd
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Ames, TX

1,085 people live in Ames, Texas - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $44,236 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 26.2%. Ames's housing stock carries a median value of $153,800, and the median resident age is 39.6 years. Educational attainment runs 3.7% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 54.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Texas tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Texas scores 97.1 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,573 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Texas run around $223, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 79.5 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

1,085 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$44,236 /yr

Poverty 26.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Ames compare to other US cities?

Here's how Ames stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 12% higher than other cities
Home value 28% pricier than other cities
Median rent 62% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Ames's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Texas, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

12thIncome percentile

12th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Ames's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$153,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 72% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Ames $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Ames, TX Ames, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Ames, TX-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Ames, TX median $44,236/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Ames, TX's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Ames, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 3.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 26.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.0%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
1,085
Median Income
$44,236
Median Home Value
$153,800
Median Age
39.6
Poverty Rate
26.2%
Labor force participation
54.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
3.7%

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
900 residents1,000 residents1,100 residents1,200 residents1,300 residents1,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 957 residents 1,282 residents ▲ +34.0%
Ames's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
87.9%
Carpool
9.3%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.8%
Work from Home
1.9%

Based on 473 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Texas - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$130
avg/month
Natural Gas
$45
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$48
avg/month
Total Utilities
$223
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Texas state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Texas state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Ames sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,573/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
79.5 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

San Felipe
1,085 people
Celeste
1,084 people
Marion
1,088 people
Cross Plains
1,089 people
Niederwald
1,089 people
Ransom Canyon
1,081 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Ames's 1,085 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Sacred Heart University, CT
1,085 people
La Harpe, IL
1,085 people
Eddyville, IA
1,085 people
Perry, KS
1,085 people
Lake Waukomis, MO
1,085 people
Friend, NE
1,085 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Ames's $44,236 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Wise, VA
$44,234 median income
Bayview CDP (Humboldt County), CA
$44,239 median income
Danville, IL
$44,239 median income
Sterling, CO
$44,242 median income
Walkerville, MT
$44,226 median income
Cottondale, AL
$44,250 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Ames, TX Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Ames, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 87.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.6% White 5.3% Black or African American 87.2% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.6% Two or more races 4.0% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Ames compares to nearby Texas cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Ames (this city) 1,085 $44,236
San Felipe 1,085 $60,078
Celeste 1,084 $56,458
Marion 1,088 $63,214
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Ames, TX?

What is the population of Ames, TX? +

The population of Ames, TX stands at 1,085 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Ames, TX? +

Ames households earn a median of $44,236 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Ames? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Ames; the closest available measure is the Texas state average, a cost of living index of 97.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Texas vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Ames, TX? +

Homes in Ames carry a median value of $153,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.