How healthy is Ames?
Ames differs from Kansas on 8 of 40 measures. Where it trails the state most: more older adults who have lost all their teeth (14.9% vs 11.3%) and more adults with COPD (8.6% vs 6.7%).
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP code 66901. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Ames
Read from the numbers below. The page puts what stands out first.
Care in and near Ames
No hospital or community health center in Ames itself. These are the nearest.
Hospitals: Medicare overall star ratings, 1–5. Community health centers charge on a sliding scale by income. Distances are straight-line from the center of Ames; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas (a “population” designation covers specific residents, such as those with low incomes).
Out of every 100 Ames adults…
Ames runs above KS on 6 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with Kansas
Share of adults, with the Kansas figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
Keeping up with care
Share of Ames adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Kansas.
How Ames adults are doing
About the same as Kansas on each measure.
1 in 3 Ames adults feel lonely. A hello is a start.
Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
8.3% of Ames adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 7.4% across Kansas.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Ames adults live with a disability (Kansas 30.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Not graded
Health Grades cover towns with 1,000 or more residents. CDC's estimates for a place of 21 people are less certain, so we show Ames's figures without a grade.
All 40 CDC measures for Ames
| Measure | Ames | Likely range | Kansas | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chronic conditions | ||||
| High blood pressure | 38.3% | 34.1–42.5% | 34.4% | about the same |
| High cholesterol | 36.9% | 32.6–41.3% | 36.7% | about the same |
| Obesity | 41.6% | 33.3–49.9% | 36.5% | about the same |
| Arthritis | 29.6% | 26.3–33% | 25.5% | worse |
| Depression | 22.3% | 18.9–25.9% | 20.8% | about the same |
| Lost all teeth (65+) | 14.9% | 12.1–18% | 11.3% | worse |
| Asthma | 10.4% | 9.2–11.6% | 9.9% | about the same |
| Cancer (not skin) | 9.5% | 8.5–10.5% | 8.1% | worse |
| Diabetes | 12.4% | 10.7–14.2% | 11.4% | about the same |
| COPD | 8.6% | 7.6–9.8% | 6.7% | worse |
| Heart disease | 7.8% | 7–8.7% | 6.4% | worse |
| Stroke | 3.9% | 3.5–4.3% | 3.2% | worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 16% | 13.7–18.5% | 14% | about the same |
| Binge drink | 15.6% | 12.7–18.7% | 16.3% | about the same |
| Get no exercise | 29.6% | 24.9–34.6% | 25.6% | about the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 34.4% | 27.9–40.9% | 34.3% | about the same |
| Care & screenings | ||||
| Yearly checkup | 76.7% | 72.9–80.2% | 76.6% | about the same |
| Dentist visit | 60.2% | 56.4–63.8% | 64.9% | worse |
| Cholesterol check | 83.1% | 81–85.2% | 84.1% | about the same |
| Colon screening | 64% | 58.8–68.9% | 63.5% | about the same |
| Mammogram | 73.6% | 65.3–80.4% | 74.6% | about the same |
| Taking BP meds | 79.2% | 76.6–81.5% | 77.6% | about the same |
| No health insurance | 9.1% | 7.7–10.9% | 9.9% | about the same |
| Mind & connection | ||||
| Feel lonely | 30.7% | 26–35.7% | 30.9% | about the same |
| Lack emotional support | 21.2% | 18–24.7% | 21.1% | about the same |
| Frequent mental distress | 17.5% | 15.5–19.6% | 16% | about the same |
| Fair or poor health | 19.8% | 17.2–22.6% | 18% | about the same |
| Frequent physical distress | 14.1% | 12.4–15.9% | 12.3% | worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Food insecurity | 13.2% | 10.9–15.5% | 13% | about the same |
| Housing insecurity | 10.9% | 9.2–12.7% | 11.2% | about the same |
| Utility shut-off threat | 8.3% | 7.2–9.6% | 8.2% | about the same |
| No reliable transportation | 7.5% | 6.5–8.6% | 7.1% | about the same |
| Receive SNAP | 8.3% | 6.8–9.9% | 7.4% | |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 35.3% | 30.7–39.9% | 30.4% | |
| Walking or climbing stairs | 16.2% | 14.1–18.5% | 13.4% | |
| Thinking or memory | 16.1% | 14.2–18.1% | 14.4% | |
| Hearing | 9.3% | 8.2–10.4% | 7.4% | |
| Vision | 5.1% | 4.6–5.7% | 4.6% | |
| Dressing or bathing | 4.1% | 3.7–4.6% | 3.5% | |
| Errands alone | 9.1% | 8–10.3% | 7.7% | |
How CDC estimates town health
CDC combines a large national health survey with each area’s age, sex, race and income mix to estimate local rates. Nobody surveyed Ames door to door.
Every figure has a likely range. When the Kansas figure falls inside it, we don’t call Ames better or worse.
CDC publishes towns like Ames by ZIP code. We weight the ZIP codes that cover Ames by how much of its land each one covers.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Ames.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Kansas figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. Ages: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau. This page isn’t medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.