Ames is a city in Story County, Iowa, United States. It is the principal city of the 'Ames, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area' which encompasses all of Story County, Iowa and which, when combined with the 'Boone, Iowa Micropolitan Statistical Area', comprises the larger 'Ames-Boone, Iowa Combined Statistical Area'.

As of the 2000 Census, the city population was 50,731. The city was named after 19th century U.S. congressman Oakes Ames of Massachusetts, who was influential in the building of the transcontinental railroad. Ames was founded near a location that was deemed favorable for a railroad crossing of the Skunk River. It is located roughly 30 miles (48 km) north of the state capital Des Moines. Two small rivers run through the town: the Skunk River and Squaw Creek. As of the 2000 Census, there were 50,731 people, 18,085 households, and 8,970 families residing in the city. The population density was 908.1/km˛ (2,352.3/mi˛). There were 18,757 housing units at an average density of 335.7/km˛ (869.7/mi˛). The racial makeup of the city was 87.34% White, 7.70% Asian, 2.65% African American, 1.98% Hispanic American or Latino of any race, 0.15% Native American, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.76% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races.