Cambridge is a city in Story County, Iowa, United States. The population was 827 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Ames, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a part of the larger Ames-Boone, Iowa Combined Statistical Area.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

ZIP code50046

Area codeSign in to add

Living in Cambridge

Housing in Cambridge

$348K▲ 3.4% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Cambridge home is worth about $348,000, up 3.4% in a year, 45% above the Iowa typical home.

Only 3 sales in May 2026, too few for a market read. The typical value is the steadier guide.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Work & commute in Cambridge

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Cambridge for work: only 2% work in town. The top destinations are Ames (25%), Des Moines (14%) and Ankeny (10%). Half commute less than 14 miles.

Ames

25%

Des Moines

14%

Ankeny

10%

Huxley

2%Work in townlive and work in Cambridge 14 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 133Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Cambridge →

Health in Cambridge

Compared with Iowa

21better than IA·1worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 10 are too close to call.

Conditions 7▲ 5 close Habits 3▲ 1 close Care 4▲ 1▼ 2 close Mind 3▲ 2 close Everyday needs 4▲ 0 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

6.9%Fewer adults facing food insecurityIA 12% · better 4.5%Fewer uninsured adultsIA 7.3% · better 73.7%Fewer adults treating high blood pressureIA 77.8% · worse

Care nearby

Story County HospitalNevada · 8.8 mi · ER · rural critical access

Primary Health Care - Story CountyAmes · 10.7 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Cambridge · CMS · HRSAHealth in Cambridge →

Natural hazards in Cambridge

Moderate

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 41% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🌪️ Tornadoes🌵 Drought

5Does Cambridge flood?paid flood claims since 2008 5Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Cambridge

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Cambridge →

Climate in Cambridge

Full climate →

Cambridge has cold winters and warm summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 85°, a January night drops to 12°, and about 27 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

32° / 15°Winter

60° / 39°Spring

83° / 62°Summer

62° / 41°Fall

How much snow does Cambridge get?About 27 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 12, with the last in spring around Apr 26.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+0.8° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Cambridge →

Schools in Cambridge

All Cambridge schools →

School Grade A

The public schools Cambridge’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 89% of Iowa’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.

DistrictBallard Comm School DistrictSchools1

Ballard East Elementary A-Elementary · Grades 3–5 · 417 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within IA. Ratings are from neighbors.