Signals
Ames
Mount Vernon
Growth
42 · Bottom 36%
vs44 · Bottom 40%
Climate
57 · Bottom 16%
vs64 · Bottom 43%
Physical resilience
64 · Top 38%
vs80 · Top 15%
Housing affordability
96 · Top 45%
vs97 · Top 40%
Access
79 · Top 46%
vs87 · Top 30%
Economic stability
65 · Top 33%
vs60 · Top 39%
Measured values
| Metric | Ames | Mount Vernon | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,134 | 63,142 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $73,127 | $73,878 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $39,347 | $35,489 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 111/sq mi | 120/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $246,300 | $239,400 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,000 | $950 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 60.9% | 75.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 47.9% | 24.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 15.5% | 11.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 249 | 189 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.0 | 3.0 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -41.8% | -33.2% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 84°F | 86°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 11°F | 21°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 38.8" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 35 mi | 29 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 20.3 min | 27.8 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 29.9 | 39.4 | 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.
Mount Vernon
Elevated or high exposure: hail, tornado.
Your best match
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Ames
67
Your Score
66
Area Score
Mount Vernon
72
Your Score
—
Area Score
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Full profiles: Ames, IA Metro Area · Mount Vernon, OH Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology