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Story County
County
Story County Administration Building
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°02′16″N 93°27′59″W / 42.037777777778°N 93.466388888889°W / 42.037777777778; -93.466388888889
Country	United States
State	Iowa
Founded	1846
Named for	Joseph Story
Seat	Nevada
Largest city	Ames
Area
• Total	574 sq mi (1,490 km)
• Land	573 sq mi (1,480 km)
• Water	0.8 sq mi (2 km)  0.1%
Population
• Total	98,537
• Estimate	98,566
• Density	170/sq mi (66/km)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	4th
Website	www.storycountyiowa.gov

Story County is a county in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 98,537, making it the ninth-most populous county in Iowa. The county seat is Nevada; the largest city is Ames. The geographical center of Iowa lies in Story County, 5 miles (8.0 km) northeast of Ames. Story County comprises the Ames, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA Combined Statistical Area. The county is home to Iowa State University in Ames.

History

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The land that today is known as Story County was originally prairie with the exception of some groves along the larger streams in the area. In 1846 the boundaries of Story County were established. The county has an area of 576 square miles (1,490 km) and is square in shape.

The county was named after Joseph Story, a preeminent United States Supreme Court Justice, in 1853. The first settlers to the area came from Indiana, then from the New England states of New York and Pennsylvania. Later, many Norwegians, Germans and Danes came directly from overseas and inhabited the area. The first large population influx occurred during the 1850s. Story County was not mentioned in the Federal Census in 1850, but figures from the State of Iowa put the population at 214 in 1852. By 1860 the population had increased to 4,501.

Three commissioners were appointed by the Iowa legislature to determine the county seat location. On June 27, 1853, they announced Nevada as their choice. Nevada (pronounced Nuh-VAY-Dah) was named after the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. Like many Midwestern towns, cities and counties, many prominent locations from the newly explored West and Mexican–American War of the late 1840s inspired the naming of towns and counties in Iowa during this period.

Railroad construction did more to develop Story County than any other single factor. The first railroad came to the county in 1863 with the first station being built in Colo. Railroads were such a decisive factor in determining the location of towns that several communities in Story County moved to be closer to the rail line. Some flourishing little towns that were bypassed by the railroad soon disappeared. Although Nevada was long the population center of the county, Ames was the most widely known of the towns because of the busy railroad depot where travelers would transfer to their next train.

Story County has had five courthouses. The first, a two-level frame building, was erected in 1856. Fire destroyed it in 1863, and it was replaced by a similar structure, which was replaced by a larger three-level building in 1877, situated on the town square. This building's tower served as a vantage point to view the countryside; it was eventually removed for safety reasons. The fourth courthouse was built in 1967 and placed in service on May 18, 1968. That building is still in use as offices for the Board of Supervisors, Auditor, Treasurer, Recorder, Assessor, Information Technology, Facilities Management, Health and Planning & Development Offices. A cannon from the Civil War rests on the lawn. The current courthouse, the Story County Justice Center, opened in 2002. The Justice Center, comprising the law enforcement and judicial aspects of Story County Government. The Justice Center houses the Sheriff's Office & Jail, Attorney, and Clerk of Court.

Story County consists of 16 townships and 15 incorporated cities, and 4 unincorporated towns. The population of 79,981 in the 2000 census consisted of 71,114 in urban areas and 8867 in rural areas.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 574 square miles (1,490 km), of which 573 square miles (1,480 km) is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km) (0.1%) is water.

The geographical center of Iowa lies in Story County, 5 miles (8.0 km) northeast of Ames.

Adjacent counties

• Hamilton County (northwest)
• Hardin County (northeast)
• Marshall County (east)
• Jasper County (southeast)
• Polk County (south)
• Boone County (west)

Transportation

Transit

• CyRide
• Jefferson Lines

Major highways

• I-35
• I-35 Business Loop
• US 30
• US 65
• US 69
• Iowa 210
• Iowa 330
• Iowa 930

Airports

Story County is home to the Ames Municipal Airport, on the south side of Ames. The nearest large airport is the Des Moines International Airport, on the south side of Des Moines, some 30 miles from Story County.

Rail lines

Story County contains three rail lines, all controlled by the Union Pacific Railroad Company. The Overland Route runs east–west on its route from Chicago to California, passing near Ames, Colo and Nevada in Story County. The Spine Line runs north–south on its route from Minneapolis to Kansas City, Missouri, passing near McCallsburg, Nevada and Cambridge. The third line in Story County begins at Ames and runs near Gilbert and Story City.

Demographics

2020 census

The 2020 census recorded a population of 98,537 in the county, with a population density of 171.2818/sq mi (66.1323/km). 93.90% of the population reported being of one race. There were 41,361 housing units, of which 38,273 were occupied.

2010 census

The following Story County statistics were gathered by the 2010 U.S. Census.

Population Story County had a population of 89,542, a 12% increase from the 2000 Census. Of that number, 17.8% of those people are under the age of 18, and 10% are over the age of 65, 95.1% of those people (age 25+) are high school graduates, and 45.4% (age 25+) hold at least a bachelor's degree.

Commuting time Story County workers age 16 and older spent an average of 16.6 minutes traveling to work between 2005 and 2009.

Workforce data There were 45,010 individuals working in Story County and 81.5% of those people live in Story County. The remaining percentages break down as follows: 6.8% live in Boone County (directly west) 4.2% live in Polk County (directly south) 2.1% live in Hamilton County (directly north) 1.2% live in Hardin County (directly north) 1.1% live in Marshal County (directly east).

There were 43,839 working individuals who lived in Story County and worked anywhere, and 83.7% of those people worked in Story County.

Household data According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the median household income in 2009 was $48,165, with an average of 2.41 people per household between 2005 and 2009.

The per capita income in the past 12 months (2009 dollars) between 2005 and 2009 was $24,202.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 79,981 people, 29,383 households, and 17,042 families in the county. The population density was 140 people per square mile (54 people/km). There were 30,630 housing units at an average density of 54 units per square mile (21 units/km). The racial makeup of the county was 91.14% White, 1.83% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 5.10% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 1.14% from two or more races. 1.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 29,383 households 27.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.60% were married couples living together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.00% were non-families. 26.70% of households were one person and 7.60% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.94.

Age spread: 19.10% under the age of 18, 28.30% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 17.30% from 45 to 64, and 9.80% 65 or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females there were 104.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.40 males.

The median household income was $40,442 and the median family income was $55,472. Males had a median income of $36,756 versus $26,941 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,949. About 5.50% of families and 14.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.80% of those under age 18 and 4.30% of those age 65 or over.

Story County laborshed

Total potential labor force

According to the Story County Laborshed Analysis, which was analyzed and compiled by the Iowa Workforce Development in August 2011, Story County has a total potential labor force of 424,702 people, which breaks down as follows:

• Employed – 75.3%
• Unemployed – 8.37%
• Homemakers – 7.8%
• Retired – 8.2%

Likelihood to accept / change employment The estimated number of individuals who are very likely or somewhat likely to change or accept employment is 106,383, or 25%.

• Employed – 87.6%
• Unemployed – 3%
• Homemakers – 5.2%
• Retired – 4.2%

Unemployment Of those unemployed and willing to enter / re-enter employment:

• Average age – 45
• Male – 50%
• Female – 50%
• Have Education Beyond High School – 67.5%

Wages The estimated wage range to attract the upper 66-75% of qualified hourly wage applicants is $10 to $10.44 per hour, with a median of the lowest wage at $10 per hour.

Commute Those unemployed and willing to enter / re-enter employment are willing to commute an average of 24 miles one way for the right opportunity.

Law enforcement

Story County Sheriff's Office
Abbreviation	SCSO
Jurisdictional structure
General nature	Local civilian police
Operational structure
Headquarters	Story County Justice Center Nevada, Iowa
Sheriff responsible	Paul H. Fitzgerald
Website
Story County Sheriff

Primary law enforcement for the county rests with the Story County Sheriff's Office. The department provides law enforcement services for the contract towns and unincorporated areas of Story County, as well as providing for courthouse security, operating the county jail, and performing civil procedures. Paul H. Fitzgerald has served as Sheriff since 1993.

Other law enforcement agencies in the county include:

• Ames Police Department
• Iowa State University Police Division
• Nevada Police Department
• Huxley Police Department
• Story City Police Department

Communities

Cities

• Ames
• Cambridge
• Collins
• Colo
• Gilbert
• Huxley
• Kelley
• Maxwell
• McCallsburg
• Nevada
• Roland
• Sheldahl
• Slater
• Story City
• Zearing

Unincorporated communities

• Fernald
• Iowa Center
• Shipley

Townships

• Collins
• Franklin
• Grant
• Howard
• Indian Creek
• Lafayette
• Lincoln
• Milford
• Nevada
• New Albany
• Palestine
• Richland
• Sherman
• Union
• Warren
• Washington

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Story County.

† county seat

Politics

Prior to 1988, Story County was primarily Republican in presidential elections, only failing to back the Republican Party candidate three times between 1896 and 1984. Since 1988, Story County has voted reliably Democratic, mirroring the trend in counties dominated by college towns. Donald Trump's 2016 election performance in the county was over 3 points worse than Mitt Romney in 2012, despite Trump outperforming Romney statewide by nearly 5 percent and winning Iowa's electoral votes.

Education

School districts in the county include:

• Ames Community School District
• Ballard Community School District
• Collins-Maxwell Community School District
• Colo-Nesco Community School District
• Gilbert Community School District
• Nevada Community School District
• North Polk Community School District
• Roland-Story Community School District
• United Community School District
• West Marshall Community School District

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Story County, Iowa

References

1. ^ "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: state of Iowa
4. United States Office of Management and Budget. "Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses" (PDF). pp. 5, 36. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 14, 2006. Retrieved July 21, 2006.
5. https://www.storycountyiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/907/Colo1968?bidId=
6. Story County
7. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
8. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
13. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
14. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Story County, Iowa".
15. 2010 Census
16. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
17. Clayworth, Jason. "Sheriff turns emails over to feds after Story County resists". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
18. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
19. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Story County, IA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022. - Text list

External links

• Story County government's website
• Ames Historical Society Includes reference materials, early maps and many historical images
• ISU Extension - Story County
• Story County Foundation

v t e Places adjacent to Story County, Iowa
Hamilton County Hardin County Boone County Story County, Iowa Marshall County Polk County Jasper County

v t e Municipalities and communities of Story County, Iowa, United States
County seat: Nevada
Cities	Ames Cambridge Collins Colo Gilbert Huxley Kelley Maxwell McCallsburg Nevada Roland Sheldahl‡ Slater Story City Zearing
Townships	Collins Franklin Grant Howard Indian Creek Lafayette Lincoln Milford Nevada New Albany Palestine Richland Sherman Union Warren Washington
Unincorporated communities	Fernald Iowa Center
Ghost towns/neighborhoods	Ontario
Footnotes	‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
Iowa portal United States portal

v t e State of Iowa
Des Moines (capital)
Topics	Archaeology Area codes Attorney General Auditor of State Capitol Climate change Code Congressional districts Crime Delegations Representatives Senators Elections Caucuses Environment Flag Governor Gun laws History Historic Places Index Legislature House Senate LGBT rights Museums People Native Americans Political parties Democratic Libertarian Republican Seal Secretary of Agriculture Secretary of State State Parks Supreme Court Symbols Treasurer of State
Regions	Coteau des Prairies Des Moines metropolitan area Dissected Till Plains Driftless Area Great River Road Honey Lands Iowa Great Lakes Loess Hills Omaha–Council Bluffs metropolitan area Quad Cities Siouxland
Largest cities	Ames Ankeny Bettendorf Burlington Cedar Falls Cedar Rapids Clinton Council Bluffs Davenport Des Moines Dubuque Fort Dodge Iowa City Marion Marshalltown Mason City Muscatine Ottumwa Sioux City Urbandale Waterloo West Des Moines
Counties	Adair Adams Allamakee Appanoose Audubon Benton Black Hawk Boone Bremer Buchanan Buena Vista Butler Calhoun Carroll Cass Cedar Cerro Gordo Cherokee Chickasaw Clarke Clay Clayton Clinton Crawford Dallas Davis Decatur Delaware Des Moines Dickinson Dubuque Emmet Fayette Floyd Franklin Fremont Greene Grundy Guthrie Hamilton Hancock Hardin Harrison Henry Howard Humboldt Ida Iowa Jackson Jasper Jefferson Johnson Jones Keokuk Kossuth Lee Linn Louisa Lucas Lyon Madison Mahaska Marion Marshall Mills Mitchell Monona Monroe Montgomery Muscatine O'Brien Osceola Page Palo Alto Plymouth Pocahontas Polk Pottawattamie Poweshiek Ringgold Sac Scott Shelby Sioux Story Tama Taylor Union Van Buren Wapello Warren Washington Wayne Webster Winnebago Winneshiek Woodbury Worth Wright
Iowa portal

42°02′16″N 93°27′59″W / 42.03778°N 93.46639°W / 42.03778; -93.46639

• Iowa counties
• Story County, Iowa
• 1846 establishments in Iowa Territory
• Populated places established in 1846