Ames, IA town hall & government
Ames spent $419.9 million in the year to June 30, 2024, about $6,272 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Ames's government.
Who runs Ames
From public records (Open States and Wikidata), which can lag behind an election. If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.
Where Ames's money goes
Where the money comes from
- Fees & charges 58%
- Utility sales 17%
- Interest, fines & other 10%
- Property taxes 7%
- Sales taxes 3%
- From the state 3%
- From the federal government 2%
- Other taxes & licenses <1%
- From other local governments <1%
Who works for Ames
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
Ames Community School District
Ames's K–12 school district. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.
Where the district's money comes from Iowa districts overall: 43% local, 49% state, 8% federal
- Local 58%
- State 36%
- Federal 6%
Of the $13,699 per pupil, $8,408 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
Also serving Ames: Gilbert Community School District ($12,597 per pupil) · Nevada Community School District ($12,560 per pupil).
Which schools Ames kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Ames pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Contact Ames's government
Who represents Ames
Ames is represented in Congress by Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst and Representative Randy Feenstra. Kim Reynolds is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.