Roland is a city in Story County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,362 at the time of 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 code50236

Area code515

Living in Roland

Housing in Roland

$267K▲ 4.8% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Roland home is worth about $267,000, up 4.8% in a year, 11% above the Iowa typical home.

Only 1 sale 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 Roland

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Roland for work: only 2% work in town. The top destinations are Ames (32%), Story City (19%) and Des Moines (4%). Half commute less than 12 miles.

Ames

32%

Story City

19%

Des Moines

Nevada

2%Work in townlive and work in Roland 12 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 157Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Roland →

Health in Roland

A⁻

Health Grade A−

Healthier than 80% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with Iowa

10better than IA·1worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 21 are too close to call.

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

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

6.4%Fewer older adults who have lost all their teethIA 11.6% · better 5.3%Fewer uninsured adultsIA 7.3% · better 73.9%Fewer adults treating high blood pressureIA 77.8% · worse

Care nearby

Mary Greeley Medical CenterAmes · 10.8 mi · ER

Primary Health Care - Story CountyAmes · 13 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 Roland · CMS · HRSAHealth in Roland →

Natural hazards in Roland

Moderate

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 51% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🌪️ Tornadoes🌵 Drought

8Does Roland flood?paid flood claims since 2008 4Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Roland

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

Climate in Roland

Full climate →

Roland has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 84°, a January night drops to 10°, 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 Roland get?About 31 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 8, 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 Roland →

Schools in Roland

All Roland schools →

School Grade A

The public schools Roland’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 91% of Iowa’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.

DistrictRoland-Story Comm School DistrictSchools1

Roland-Story Middle School AMiddle · Grades 5–8 · 331 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.