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CITY · 2020 ACS

Story City

Iowa · 3,352 residents · 2.856 sq mi
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The short version

Story City has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $58,155. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $141,700. With a median age of 45.7, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 45.7
US median: 38.8
Less educated
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,352
+4%since 2000
from 3,228 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,174 / sq mi
+4%since 2000
from 1,130 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
45.7
+10%since 2000
from 41.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K3K3K3K1990201020202024Story City
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$58,155
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $41,275 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,731
+56%since 2000
from $20,345 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
43.2%
+14.3 ptssince 2009
from 28.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
14.0%
+7.6 ptssince 2000
from 6.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade15%
US avg: 10%
Information5.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade5%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Arts, entertainment, food2.7%
US avg: 2%
Other services2.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services2.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$141,700
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $94,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$801
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $497 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
69.6%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 68.7% in 2000
30.4% rent
Afford Score
2.4
+7%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic92.1%(3,088)
Black0.8%(27)
Hispanic / Latino3.3%(109)
Asian0.7%(22)
Other1.1%(37)
Diversity Score14.2%(477)
Diversity Score
14
+443%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.0%
−3.1 ptssince 2000
from 27.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
96.6%
+5.0 ptssince 2000
from 91.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.3%
−0.6 ptssince 2000
from 5.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.8 min
+69%since 2000
from 11.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
86.0%
+10.2 ptssince 2009
from 75.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
3.7%
−7.3 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.3%
−1.3 ptssince 2011
from 6.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
67.5%
−0.3 ptssince 2011
from 67.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
31.2%
−35.6 ptssince 2009
from 66.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.2%
+6.4 ptssince 2009
from 39.8% in 2009
Female
53.8%
−6.4 ptssince 2009
from 60.2% in 2009
Foreign born
2.9%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
1.5%
−88.6 ptssince 2013
from 90.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Story City to nearby cities

STORY CITY VS
Ames
Income$60,991+5%
Home value$277,400+96%
Population68,220+1917%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STORY CITY VS
Boone
Income$69,222+19%
Home value$173,000+22%
Population12,471+269%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STORY CITY VS
Ankeny
Income$108,198+86%
Home value$331,000+134%
Population77,833+2201%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STORY CITY VS
Bondurant
Income$135,674+133%
Home value$318,800+125%
Population9,647+185%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Story City, Iowa?

Story City, Iowa has about 3,352 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Story City, Iowa earns about $58,155 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 $141,700, and the typical rent is about $801 a month.

How educated are people in Story City, Iowa?

About 24.0% 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 14.0% 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 393 residents, a change of about 13 percent over that period.

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

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