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CITY

Story City

Iowa · 3,382 residents (2025 est.) · 2.856 sq mi
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The short version

Story City is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $96,605. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $215,600. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income. Households here earn about 29% more than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.7
US median: 38.9
More educated
44% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 26%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,398
+5%since 2000
from 3,228 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,190 / sq mi
+5%since 2000
from 1,130 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.7
−7%since 2000
from 41.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:3,382 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K3K3K3K1990201020202024Story City
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$96,605
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $41,275 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$44,055
+117%since 2000
from $20,345 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
57.8%
+28.9 ptssince 2009
from 28.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
12.6%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 6.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.421
−4%since 2010
from 0.440 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade15.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Information14.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade13.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction5%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food3.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services2.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing2.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance1.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Education & health services1.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$215,600
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $94,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$999
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $497 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
78.8%
+10.1 ptssince 2000
from 68.7% in 2000
21.2% rent
Vacancy rate
3.9%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
15.7%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 17.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
55.5%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.2
−2%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
78
RELATED:See current rent listings in Story City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.6%(3,184)
Black0.2%(8)
Hispanic / Latino0.4%(14)
Asian0.4%(12)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.6%(85)
2024
White, non-Hispanic91.3%(3,101)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino6.6%(224)
Asian0%(0)
Other2.1%(73)
Diversity Score20.3%(690)
Diversity Score
20
+674%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
44.0%
+16.8 ptssince 2000
from 27.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
95.8%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 91.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
12.8%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 5.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.4 min
+110%since 2000
from 11.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
88.9%
+13.1 ptssince 2009
from 75.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
2.4%
−12.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.5%
+5.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.6%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.4%
−5.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.5%
−3.2 ptssince 2011
from 6.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
65.4%
−2.4 ptssince 2011
from 67.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.1%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 13.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
50.9%
−15.9 ptssince 2009
from 66.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.7%
+8.8 ptssince 2009
from 39.8% in 2009
Female
51.3%
−8.8 ptssince 2009
from 60.2% in 2009
Foreign born
3.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.4%
−33.8 ptssince 2009
from 38.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
9.4%
−6.0 ptssince 2012
from 15.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
0.8%
−89.3 ptssince 2013
from 90.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.0%
+16.4 ptssince 2017
from 74.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.8%
−3.2 ptssince 2016
from 99.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
4.2%
+3.5 ptssince 2016
from 0.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Story City to nearby cities

STORY CITY VS
Ames
Income$60,991−37%
Home value$277,400+29%
Population68,220+1917%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STORY CITY VS
Boone
Income$69,222−28%
Home value$173,000−20%
Population12,471+269%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STORY CITY VS
Ankeny
Income$108,198+12%
Home value$331,000+54%
Population77,833+2201%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STORY CITY VS
Bondurant
Income$135,674+40%
Home value$318,800+48%
Population9,647+185%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Story City, Iowa?

Story City, Iowa has about 3,398 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Story City, Iowa?

The typical household in Story City, Iowa earns about $96,605 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Story City, Iowa expensive?

In Story City, Iowa, the median home is worth about $215,600, and the typical rent is about $999 a month.

How educated are people in Story City, Iowa?

About 44.0% of adults age 25 and over in Story City, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Story City, Iowa?

About 12.6% of people in Story City, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Story City, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Story City, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 439 residents, a change of about 15 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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