Most working residents leave Ames for work: only 3% work in town. The top destinations are Athens (23%), Columbus (8%) and Logan (3%). Half commute less than 22 miles.

Athens

23%

Columbus

Logan

Nelsonville

3%Work in townlive and work in Ames 22 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 115Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Ames →

Health in Ames

C⁺

Health Grade C+

Healthier than 37% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with Ohio

7worse than OH

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 25 are too close to call.

Conditions 2▼ 10 close Habits all close Care 3▼ 4 close Mind 1▼ 4 close Everyday needs 1▼ 3 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

18.9%More older adults who have lost all their teethOH 15.3% · worse 9.5%More adults without reliable transportationOH 7.7% · worse 29.3%More adults with depressionOH 25.4% · worse

Care nearby

Ohiohealth O'bleness HospitalAthens · 8.2 mi · ER

Appalachian Family Life CenterThe Plains · 7.6 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · ZIP codes 45711, 45701, 45761 · CMS · HRSAHealth in Ames →

Natural hazards in Ames

High

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 73% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🌡️ Heat waves

40Does Ames flood?paid flood claims since 1997 7Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Ames MapAmes vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

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

Climate in Ames

Full climate →

Ames has chilly winters and warm summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 84°, a January night drops to 22°, and about 18 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

42° / 24°Winter

65° / 40°Spring

83° / 60°Summer

66° / 43°Fall

How much snow does Ames get?About 18 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 23, with the last in spring around Apr 25.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.1° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

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

Schools in Ames

All Ames schools →

C⁺

School Grade C+

The public schools Ames’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, trail 64% of Ohio’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the bottom.

DistrictFederal Hocking LocalSchools1

Amesville Elementary School C-Elementary · Grades PK–5 · 185 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 OH. Ratings are from neighbors.