Signals
Ames
Adrian
Growth
42 · Bottom 36%
vs36 · Bottom 28%
Climate
57 · Bottom 16%
vs61 · Bottom 32%
Physical resilience
64 · Top 38%
vs83 · Top 11%
Housing affordability
96 · Top 45%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
79 · Top 46%
vs88 · Top 27%
Economic stability
65 · Top 33%
vs57 · Top 43%
Measured values
| Metric | Ames | Adrian | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,134 | 98,415 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $73,127 | $70,518 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $39,347 | $35,068 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 111/sq mi | 131/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $246,300 | $196,800 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,000 | $987 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 60.9% | 79.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 47.9% | 22.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 15.5% | 10.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 249 | 172 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.0 | 1.7 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -41.8% | 7.5% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 84°F | 84°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 11°F | 17°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 29.9" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 35 mi | 25 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 20.3 min | 29.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 29.9 | 42.4 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Ames
Elevated or high exposure: drought, tornado, cold wave.
Adrian
Elevated or high exposure: strong wind, tornado.
Full profiles: Ames, IA Metro Area · Adrian, MI Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology