Ames: Economy & Jobs
Earnings in Ames center on a median $49,231 (1.4× below Major County median $71,266; 1.3× below Oklahoma median $65,039), with homes at a median value of $95,900. The surrounding county supports 2,135 jobs (avg $50,371).
- $62,985 avg taxable income per return — higher than the median household income (vs Oklahoma $74,344).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $49,231 — below the Oklahoma median ($62,125). Poverty rate 16.4% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Affordability · Price To Income Ratio | 1.9× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Affordable | Yes |
| Affordability · Interpretation | very affordable |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $3,260 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $205,330 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $62,985 (vs Oklahoma $74,344) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $49,141 |
| Median Household Income | $49,231 (vs Oklahoma $62,125) |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | blue_collar |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Education Healthcare |
| Economic Character · Income Level | working-class |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $49,231 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents.
| Commuter Profile · Primary Mode | drove alone |
|---|---|
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 2,135 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $107,524,584 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $50,371 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 1,664,310 |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 253 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 452,524 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 1,788.60 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Animal Totals, Crop Totals, Grain, Wheat, Corn |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 239 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 1,627 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 78,774 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 3 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 4 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 4 |
| Local Businesses · New Car Dealers | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Auto Repair | 4 |
| Local Businesses · Commercial Banks | 4 |
| Local Businesses · Insurance Agencies | 5 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 5 |
|---|
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (4)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (1)
| Nearest Snap · Name | Jiffy Trip 105 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Distance | 4.4 mi |
Sources: USDA SNAP — nearest by coordinates
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | INOLA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $69,045,639 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 8,872.48 (vs Oklahoma $7,371) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 7,782 people (vs Oklahoma 63,420) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 90.3% |
|---|---|
| Retirement Score · Median age | 46.3 years (vs Oklahoma 35.2y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 37.5% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 1 |
| Retirement Score · Affordable | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | older population, strong SS base, hospital access, affordable |
| Retirement Score · Rating | excellent |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12