Story County
County
Story County Administration Building
Story County Administration Building
Map of Iowa highlighting Story County
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Map of the United States highlighting Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°02′16″N 93°27′59″W / 42.037777777778°N 93.466388888889°W / 42.037777777778; -93.466388888889
Country United States
State Iowa
Founded1846
Named forJoseph Story
SeatNevada
Largest cityAmes
Area
 • Total574 sq mi (1,490 km2)
 • Land573 sq mi (1,480 km2)
 • Water0.8 sq mi (2 km2)  0.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total98,537
 • Density170/sq mi (66/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.storycountyiowa.gov

Story County is a county in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 98,537,[1] making it the ninth-most populous county in Iowa. The county seat is Nevada;[2] the largest city is Ames. The geographical center of Iowa lies in Story County, 5 miles (8.0 km) northeast of Ames.[3]

Story County comprises the Ames, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA Combined Statistical Area.[4]

The county is home to Iowa State University in Ames.

History

Bales of hay on a farm near Ames, Story County, Iowa

The land that today is known as Story County was originally prairie with the exception of some groves along the larger streams in the area. In 1846 the boundaries of Story County were established. The county has an area of 576 square miles (1,490 km2) and is square in shape.

Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story

The county was named after Joseph Story, a preeminent United States Supreme Court Justice, in 1853. The first settlers to the area came from Indiana, then from the New England states of New York and Pennsylvania. Later, many Norwegians, Germans and Danes came directly from overseas and inhabited the area. The first large population influx occurred during the 1850s. Story County was not mentioned in the Federal Census in 1850, but figures from the State of Iowa put the population at 214 in 1852. By 1860 the population had increased to 4,501.

Three commissioners were appointed by the Iowa legislature to determine the county seat location. On June 27, 1853, they announced Nevada as their choice. Nevada (pronounced Nuh-VAY-Dah) was named after the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. Like many Midwestern towns, cities and counties, many prominent locations from the newly explored West and Mexican–American War of the late 1840s inspired the naming of towns and counties in Iowa during this period.

Railroad construction did more to develop Story County than any other single factor. The first railroad came to the county in 1864. Railroads were such a decisive factor in determining the location of towns that several communities in Story County moved to be closer to the rail line. Some flourishing little towns that were bypassed by the railroad soon disappeared. Although Nevada was long the population center of the county, Ames was the most widely known of the towns because of the busy railroad depot where travelers would transfer to their next train.

Story County has had five courthouses. The first, a two-level frame building, was erected in 1856. Fire destroyed it in 1863, and it was replaced by a similar structure, which was replaced by a larger three-level building in 1877, situated on the town square. This building's tower served as a vantage point to view the countryside; it was eventually removed for safety reasons. The fourth courthouse was built in 1967 and placed in service on May 18, 1968. That building is still in use as offices for the Board of Supervisors, Auditor, Treasurer, Recorder, Assessor, Information Technology, Facilities Management, Health and Planning & Development Offices. A cannon from the Civil War rests on the lawn. The current courthouse, the Story County Justice Center, opened in 2002. The Justice Center, comprising the law enforcement and judicial aspects of Story County Government. The Justice Center houses the Sheriff's Office & Jail, Attorney, and Clerk of Court.[5]

Story County consists of 16 townships and 15 incorporated cities, and 4 unincorporated towns. The population of 79,981 in the 2000 census consisted of 71,114 in urban areas and 8867 in rural areas.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 574 square miles (1,490 km2), of which 573 square miles (1,480 km2) is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2) (0.1%) is water.[6]

The geographical center of Iowa lies in Story County, 5 miles (8.0 km) northeast of Ames.[3]

Adjacent counties

Transportation

Transit

Major highways

Airports

Story County is home to the Ames Municipal Airport, on the south side of Ames. The nearest large airport is the Des Moines International Airport, on the south side of Des Moines, some 30 miles from Story County.

Rail lines

Story County contains three rail lines, all controlled by the Union Pacific Railroad Company. The Overland Route runs east–west on its route from Chicago to California, passing near Ames, Colo and Nevada in Story County. The Spine Line runs north–south on its route from Minneapolis to Kansas City, Missouri, passing near McCallsburg, Nevada and Cambridge. The third line in Story County begins at Ames and runs near Gilbert and Story City.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18604,051—
187011,651187.6%
188016,90645.1%
189018,1277.2%
190023,15927.8%
191024,0834.0%
192026,1858.7%
193031,14118.9%
194033,4347.4%
195044,29432.5%
196049,32711.4%
197062,78327.3%
198072,32615.2%
199074,2522.7%
200079,9817.7%
201089,54212.0%
202098,53710.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2018[11]
Population of Story County from US census data

2020 census

The 2020 census recorded a population of 98,537 in the county, with a population density of 171.2818/sq mi (66.1323/km2). 93.90% of the population reported being of one race. There were 41,361 housing units, of which 38,273 were occupied.[1]

Story County Racial Composition[12]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 79,944 81.13%
Black or African American (NH) 2,980 3.02%
Native American (NH) 226 0.23%
Asian (NH) 5,444 5.52%
Pacific Islander (NH) 29 0.03%
Other/Mixed (NH) 4,882 5%
Hispanic or Latino 5,032 5.11%

2010 census

The following Story County statistics were gathered by the 2010 U.S. Census.[13]

Population Story County had a population of 89,542, a 12% increase from the 2000 Census. Of that number, 17.8% of those people are under the age of 18, and 10% are over the age of 65, 95.1% of those people (age 25+) are high school graduates, and 45.4% (age 25+) hold at least a bachelor's degree.

Commuting time Story County workers age 16 and older spent an average of 16.6 minutes traveling to work between 2005 and 2009.

Workforce data There were 45,010 individuals working in Story County and 81.5% of those people live in Story County. The remaining percentages break down as follows: 6.8% live in Boone County (directly west) 4.2% live in Polk County (directly south) 2.1% live in Hamilton County (directly north) 1.2% live in Hardin County (directly north) 1.1% live in Marshal County (directly east).

There were 43,839 working individuals who lived in Story County and worked anywhere, and 83.7% of those people worked in Story County.

Household data According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the median household income in 2009 was $48,165, with an average of 2.41 people per household between 2005 and 2009.

The per capita income in the past 12 months (2009 dollars) between 2005 and 2009 was $24,202.

2000 census

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Story County

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 79,981 people, 29,383 households, and 17,042 families in the county. The population density was 140 people per square mile (54 people/km2). There were 30,630 housing units at an average density of 54 units per square mile (21 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.14% White, 1.83% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 5.10% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 1.14% from two or more races. 1.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 29,383 households 27.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.60% were married couples living together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.00% were non-families. 26.70% of households were one person and 7.60% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.94.

Age spread: 19.10% under the age of 18, 28.30% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 17.30% from 45 to 64, and 9.80% 65 or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females there were 104.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.40 males.

The median household income was $40,442 and the median family income was $55,472. Males had a median income of $36,756 versus $26,941 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,949. About 5.50% of families and 14.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.80% of those under age 18 and 4.30% of those age 65 or over.

Story County laborshed

Total potential labor force

According to the Story County Laborshed Analysis, which was analyzed and compiled by the Iowa Workforce Development in August 2011, Story County has a total potential labor force of 424,702 people, which breaks down as follows:

  • Employed – 75.3%
  • Unemployed – 8.37%
  • Homemakers – 7.8%
  • Retired – 8.2%

Likelihood to accept / change employment The estimated number of individuals who are very likely or somewhat likely to change or accept employment is 106,383, or 25%.

  • Employed – 87.6%
  • Unemployed – 3%
  • Homemakers – 5.2%
  • Retired – 4.2%

Unemployment Of those unemployed and willing to enter / re-enter employment:

  • Average age – 45
  • Male – 50%
  • Female – 50%
  • Have Education Beyond High School – 67.5%

Wages The estimated wage range to attract the upper 66-75% of qualified hourly wage applicants is $10 to $10.44 per hour, with a median of the lowest wage at $10 per hour.

Commute Those unemployed and willing to enter / re-enter employment are willing to commute an average of 24 miles one way for the right opportunity.

Law enforcement

Story County Sheriff's Office
AbbreviationSCSO
Jurisdictional structure
General nature
Operational structure
HeadquartersStory County Justice Center
Nevada, Iowa
Sheriff responsible
  • Paul H. Fitzgerald
Website
Story County Sheriff

Primary law enforcement for the county rests with the Story County Sheriff's Office. The department provides law enforcement services for the contract towns and unincorporated areas of Story County, as well as providing for courthouse security, operating the county jail, and performing civil procedures. Paul H. Fitzgerald has served as Sheriff since 1993.[15]

Other law enforcement agencies in the county include:

  • Ames Police Department
  • Iowa State University Police Division
  • Nevada Police Department
  • Huxley Police Department
  • Story City Police Department

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Story County.[1]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 Ames City 66,427
2 † Nevada City 6,925
3 Huxley City 4,244
4 Story City City 3,352
5 Slater City 1,543
6 Roland City 1,362
7 Gilbert City 1,211
8 Maxwell City 859
9 Colo City 845
10 Cambridge City 827
11 Zearing City 528
12 Collins City 495
13 McCallsburg City 353
14 Kelley City 304
15 Sheldahl (partially in Boone and Polk Counties) City 297

Politics

Prior to 1988, Story County was primarily Republican in presidential elections, only failing to back the Republican Party candidate three times between 1896 and 1984. Since 1988 Story County has voted reliably Democratic, mirroring the trend in counties dominated by college towns. Donald Trump's 2016 election performance in the county was over 3 points worse than Mitt Romney in 2012, despite Trump outperforming Romney statewide by nearly 5 percent and winning Iowa's electoral votes.

United States presidential election results for Story County, Iowa[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 20,340 39.85% 29,175 57.16% 1,523 2.98%
2016 19,458 38.40% 25,709 50.74% 5,500 10.86%
2012 19,668 41.71% 26,192 55.55% 1,290 2.74%
2008 18,995 40.78% 26,548 56.99% 1,038 2.23%
2004 20,819 46.63% 23,296 52.17% 537 1.20%
2000 16,228 45.89% 17,478 49.42% 1,658 4.69%
1996 12,468 38.13% 17,234 52.71% 2,993 9.15%
1992 12,702 34.98% 17,118 47.14% 6,491 17.88%
1988 13,782 41.63% 19,051 57.55% 272 0.82%
1984 19,804 51.56% 18,277 47.58% 329 0.86%
1980 15,829 42.36% 13,529 36.20% 8,013 21.44%
1976 18,394 51.85% 15,717 44.30% 1,365 3.85%
1972 16,617 53.56% 13,972 45.03% 436 1.41%
1968 13,327 56.29% 9,456 39.94% 892 3.77%
1964 8,188 39.73% 12,329 59.82% 93 0.45%
1960 13,708 65.26% 7,281 34.66% 15 0.07%
1956 13,264 67.54% 6,352 32.34% 24 0.12%
1952 13,857 71.81% 5,299 27.46% 140 0.73%
1948 8,307 54.47% 6,152 40.34% 792 5.19%
1944 7,163 51.84% 6,554 47.43% 101 0.73%
1940 7,853 52.11% 7,152 47.46% 65 0.43%
1936 6,358 46.79% 6,933 51.02% 297 2.19%
1932 6,735 51.84% 5,638 43.40% 619 4.76%
1928 9,035 75.72% 2,714 22.75% 183 1.53%
1924 6,916 63.06% 1,310 11.94% 2,742 25.00%
1920 8,713 80.80% 1,909 17.70% 162 1.50%
1916 3,722 66.18% 1,772 31.51% 130 2.31%
1912 1,247 23.82% 1,224 23.39% 2,763 52.79%
1908 3,790 71.05% 1,195 22.40% 349 6.54%
1904 3,919 78.74% 752 15.11% 306 6.15%
1900 4,032 71.91% 1,343 23.95% 232 4.14%
1896 3,630 68.72% 1,589 30.08% 63 1.19%

Education

School districts in the county include:[17]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: state of Iowa
  4. ↑ United States Office of Management and Budget. "Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses" (PDF). pp. 5, 36. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 14, 2006. Retrieved July 21, 2006.
  5. ↑ Story County
  6. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  11. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  12. ↑ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Story County, Iowa".
  13. ↑ 2010 Census
  14. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. ↑ Clayworth, Jason. "Sheriff turns emails over to feds after Story County resists". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  16. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
  17. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Story County, IA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022. - Text list
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