Colo is a city in Story County, Iowa, United States. The population was 845 at the 2020 census. The town is home to the "Crossroads of the Nation" as Lincoln Highway and Jefferson Highway intersect at Colo. 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 code50056

Area codeSign in to add

Living in Colo

Housing in Colo

$269K▲ 5.3% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Colo home is worth about $269,000, up 5.3% in a year, 12% above the Iowa typical home.

Only 2 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 Colo

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Colo for work: only 2% work in town. The top destinations are Ames (22%), Des Moines (11%) and Nevada (8%). Half commute less than 23 miles.

Ames

22%

Des Moines

11%

Nevada

Ankeny

2%Work in townlive and work in Colo 23 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 121Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Colo →

Health in Colo

Compared with Iowa

3better than IA

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 29 are too close to call.

Conditions all close Habits all close Care all close Mind all close Everyday needs 3▲ 1 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

9%Fewer adults facing food insecurityIA 12% · better 5.4%Fewer adults without reliable transportationIA 6.8% · better

Care nearby

Story County HospitalNevada · 6 mi · ER · rural critical access

Primary Health Care - Story CountyAmes · 17.9 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 Colo · CMS · HRSAHealth in Colo →

Natural hazards in Colo

Moderate

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 48% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🌵 Drought🌪️ Tornadoes

0Does Colo flood?no paid flood claims on record 7Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Colo

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

Climate in Colo

Full climate →

Colo has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 84°, a January night drops to 11°, and about 31 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

31° / 14°Winter

59° / 38°Spring

82° / 61°Summer

61° / 40°Fall

How much snow does Colo get?About 31 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 12, with the last in spring around Apr 24.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 Colo →

Schools in Colo

All Colo schools →

School Grade B

The public schools Colo’s kids attend outperform 55% of Iowa’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they sit near the middle.

DistrictColo-NESCO Comm School DistrictSchools1

Colo-NESCO Middle/High School BHigh · Grades 5–12 · 216 students

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