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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Ames, IA vs Sioux City, IA

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Ames spends 188.4% more per capita than Sioux City ($29,339/person difference). Sioux City, IA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 75/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Ames, IA
Pop. 66,265
F
34/100
Budget Balance6
Debt Burden13
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Sioux City, IA
Pop. 85,469
B
75/100
Budget Balance53
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency79
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Ames
Sioux City
Total Spending
$3.0B
$1.3B
Spending / Capita
$44,915
$15,576
Total Revenue
$2.1B
$2.8B
Revenue / Capita
$32,201
$33,238
Total Debt
$45.1M
$0
Debt / Capita
$680
$0
Population
66,265
85,469
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Ames$155
Sioux City$19
Highways & Roads
Ames$61
Sioux City$76
Parks & Recreation
Ames$648
Sioux City$1,182
Education
Ames$41
Sioux City$61
Health
Ames$765
Sioux City$413

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

AmesSioux City
Property Tax
$5
$0
Sales Tax
$413
$237
Income Tax
$648
$681
Intergovernmental
$3,359
$2,787
Charges & Fees
$1,979
$2,603
Other
$2,187
$8,608

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

AmesSioux City
Fire Protection
$155
$19
Highways & Roads
$61
$76
Education
$41
$61
Public Welfare
$3,950
$1,359
Health
$765
$413
Hospitals
$83
$1,296
Parks & Recreation
$648
$1,182
Housing
$1,535
$2,881
Sewerage
$268
$285
Utilities
$2,103
$3,339
Interest on Debt
$1,924
$0
General Admin
$30,834
$0
Other
$2,548
$4,665
F
Ames, IA
Fiscal Health Score: 34/100
Critical fiscal distress
B
Sioux City, IA
Fiscal Health Score: 75/100
Good fiscal health

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