My Local Guide

Campus Energy, Prairie Trails, and Central Iowa Growth

Story County, Iowa

Story County sits at the geographic heart of Iowa, blending university energy, research, agriculture, historic towns, parks, trails, and fast-growing communities. Ames is the county’s largest city and home to Iowa State University, while Nevada serves as the county seat. From Reiman Gardens and campus landmarks to lakes, prairie, river corridors, and community downtowns, Story County offers a mix of culture, education, recreation, and everyday central-Iowa life.

Story County at a Glance

Population101,291 (2025 estimate)
County SeatNevada
Largest CityAmes
Established1846
ZIP CodesMultiple community ZIP Codes
Total Area576 sq mi
Major RoutesI-35, US 30, US 65, US 69
Area Code515
Shop - Dine - Discover

Meet Local Businesses

Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.

Elite Construction LLC advertisement
Greenfield County courthouse
Discover Story County

Story County

Story County’s boundaries were established in 1846, and the county was named for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story in 1853. Nevada was selected as the county seat that same year. Ames was later platted in 1864, while Iowa State University grew into one of the county’s defining institutions. Agriculture, rail transportation, education, research, manufacturing, and migration all shaped a county that today combines strong rural roots with one of Iowa’s most active university communities.

A day in Story County can begin on the Iowa State University campus, continue through Reiman Gardens and downtown Ames, then shift outdoors at Ada Hayden or a Story County Conservation park. Nevada adds courthouse history and local shops, while Story City, Huxley, Roland, Slater, and other communities each bring their own parks, businesses, and events. With easy interstate and highway access, the county is unusually easy to explore in short loops.

What Shapes Us

University Heritage

Iowa State University, research, public art, campus traditions, and education give Story County a statewide and national academic identity.

Prairie & Parks

Prairie, woodland, lakes, rivers, trails, and roughly 3,500 acres of county parks and natural areas create strong outdoor access near growing communities.

Central Iowa Growth

Ames, Nevada, Huxley, Story City, and surrounding towns combine housing growth, manufacturing, health care, schools, businesses, and strong transportation access.

Where research, agriculture, trails, and communities move together
My Local Guide

Story County

Our County - Our Stories
Story County Wire

Story County Wire

Local Stories - DailyPhoto Credits
Radio Iowa

Iowa Business Council survey shows postive outlook on state’s economy

The Iowa Business Council (IBC) has released its third quarter Economic Outlook Survey that gauges the outlook for…

Read the Story Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read

Around Story County

Stories from every corner of Story County.

Iowa Business Council survey shows postive outlook on state’s economy

The Iowa Business Council (IBC) has released its third quarter Economic Outlook Survey that gauges the outlook for…

Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read

Horror film fest is highlight of Ottumwa’s Halloweenapalooza

The leaves are starting to change color, pumpkins are appearing on porches, and a scare is in the…

Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read

Names of northeast Iowa boaters who died in Mississippi River accident released

The Iowa DNR has identified two northeast Iowa men who drowned after their fishing boat hit a submerged…

Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read

Iowa farmers didn’t get much field time last week waiting for drier conditions

The harvest didn’t advance much last week as farmers waited for fields to dry out. The lastest U.S.D.A.…

Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read

Celebrating Iowa 4H from calves and canning to astronomy and robots

This is National 4H Week, recognizing the accomplishments of the program that reaches more than 120,000 young people…

Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read
STORY COUNTY WEATHER
Shop - Dine - Discover

Meet Local Businesses

Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.

Elite Construction LLC advertisement
Story County Resources

Everything You Need. All in One Place.

Find practical Story County links for government, schools, health care, public safety, parks, trails, utilities, libraries, courts, transportation, veterans services, and employment.

Government

Story County Government
County departments, services, records, notices, and administration.
Official Website
Phone: 515-382-6581

Story County Board of Supervisors
County legislative and administrative oversight.
Official Website

Story County Auditor
Elections, county records, and administrative services.
Official Website

Story County Treasurer
Property tax, motor vehicle, and related county services.
Official Website

City of Ames
Municipal government and services for Ames.
Official Website

City of Nevada
Municipal government and services for the county seat.
Official Website

City of Story City
Municipal services and community information for Story City.
Official Website

We’re Here To Help.

Useful answers for exploring, visiting, and living in Story County.

Helpful Information

Frequently Asked Questions

From Iowa State University and downtown Ames to Nevada, county parks, trails, lakes, and smaller communities, these answers focus on the Story County details people actually ask about.

Shop - Dine - Discover

Meet Local Businesses

Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.

Elite Construction LLC advertisement
My Local Guide

Find Something Fun

Top Picks for Every Kind of Day

Build a Story County day around campus life, gardens, parks, trails, local food, shopping, museums, and community stops.

Kids’ Fun

  1. Reiman Gardens
  2. Ada Hayden Heritage Park
  3. McFarland Park
  4. Ames Public Library

Restaurants

  1. Downtown Ames Restaurants
  2. The Sidekick
  3. Hickory Park
  4. Aunt Maude’s
  5. Dublin Bay Irish Pub

Shopping & Retail

  1. Downtown Ames Shops
  2. North Grand Mall
  3. Iowa State University Book Store
  4. Story City Local Shops

Clothing & Boutiques

  1. Downtown Ames Boutiques
  2. North Grand Fashion Retailers
  3. Iowa State University Apparel

Outdoor Fun

  1. Ada Hayden Heritage Park
  2. McFarland Park
  3. Peterson Park
  4. Dakins Lake Park
  5. Heart of Iowa Nature Trail

Free Things To Do

  1. Walk Iowa State University Campus
  2. Walk Ada Hayden Heritage Park
  3. Ames Public Library
  4. McFarland Park
  5. Explore Downtown Ames
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.
County Guides

Explore More Counties

Humboldt County

Explore Humboldt County, Iowa with Humboldt and Dakota City attractions, Three Rivers Trail, river parks, local resources, dining, shopping, events, and community information.

 Plymouth County

Explore Plymouth County, Iowa, including Le Mars, Akron, Kingsley, Remsen, parks, prairie, history, dining, shopping, local resources, and county news.

 Cerro Gordo County

Explore Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, including Mason City, Clear Lake, attractions, parks, trails, architecture, local resources, dining, shopping, and county news.

 Dallas County

Explore Dallas County, Iowa, including Waukee, Adel, Perry, trails, parks, attractions, schools, local resources, dining, shopping, and county news.

 Decatur County

Explore Decatur County, Iowa with Leon and Lamoni attractions, parks, lakes, local resources, dining, shopping, events, history, and visitor information.

 Woodbury County

Explore Woodbury County, Iowa with Sioux City attractions, Loess Hills parks, museums, trails, local resources, dining, shopping, events, and outdoor recreation.

 Greene County

Explore Greene County, Iowa, including Jefferson, the Mahanay Bell Tower, Raccoon River Valley Trail, parks, history, dining, shopping, resources, and county news.

 Madison County

Explore Madison County, Iowa with Winterset, famous covered bridges, parks, trails, museums, local resources, dining, shopping, events, and visitor information.
© 2026 My Local Guide