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Ames is the largest city in Story County. It is located at the intersection of Interstate 35 and U.S. Highway 30, approximately 30 miles north of Des Moines. The city was originally created in 1863 by a land company affiliated with the railroads. It was named for Oaks Ames, a Massachusetts State Representative, who had close ties with the land company and helped in choosing the city's location. Ames is home to Iowa State University, the National Animal Disease Center and the Iowa Department of Transportation. As Iowa's newest metropolitan statistical area, it boasts a city population of 54,000 and a metro population of 80,000. The city is comprised of three main areas. Downtown is where the city started and is home to some of the oldest neighborhoods. Campustown encompasses the University and its surrounding neighborhoods. West Ames is where most of the new growth is taking place. As a college town, the city benefits from numerous cultural opportunities and a well educated populace.

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