How Iowa State Impacts Airbnb Demand in Ames, Iowa
- Sam Brant
- Jan 19
- 5 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Owning an Airbnb in Ames isn’t just about being in a college town. It’s about understanding how Iowa State University quietly drives year-round, diversified demand, and why that demand continues to grow.
We talk with Airbnb owners all the time who underestimate how much Iowa State shapes the local short-term rental market. Football weekends get all the attention, but they’re only a small part of the picture.
In this article, we’ll break down how Iowa State influences Airbnb demand in Ames, why certain neighborhoods outperform others, and why professional Airbnb management matters more here than most owners realize.
👉 Want to see how your property fits into Ames demand patterns?
Why Iowa State Drives More Than Just Game-Day Demand
Most people associate Iowa State with football Saturdays at Jack Trice Stadium and packed basketball arenas. Those events absolutely matter—but they’re just the tip of the iceberg.
Iowa State supports:
Tens of thousands of undergraduate and graduate students
Visiting parents and families year-round
Faculty, researchers, and visiting professors
Conferences, academic symposiums, and recruiting events
Athletic events beyond football and basketball
This creates consistent, predictable lodging demand that doesn’t rely on tourism cycles the way larger cities do.
For Airbnb owners, that consistency is what makes Ames such a stable market compared to many Midwest cities.
The Hidden Demand Most Airbnb Owners Miss in Ames
Ames demand isn’t seasonal in the traditional sense—it’s academic.
Some examples we see regularly:
Parents booking long weekends multiple times per year
Families attending graduations, orientations, and move-in weekends
Visiting faculty staying 2–6 weeks at a time
Contractors and consultants tied to university projects
Unlike vacation markets, guests aren’t just shopping for the cheapest stay. They value:
Proximity to campus
Walkability
Reliable cleanliness
Professional communication
That’s why location and operations matter more here than flashy amenities.
Campustown and West Ames: Why Location Is Everything
The strongest Airbnb performance in Ames consistently comes from areas that minimize friction for guests.
Campustown / West Ames
Walkable to campus and Jack Trice
Close to dining, bars, and events
High demand from parents and alumni
Premium pricing during peak weekends
This area benefits from something unique: constrained supply.
Iowa State owns a significant amount of land surrounding campus, and that land isn’t being sold or developed. On top of that, development restrictions east of Highway 30 limit expansion in one of the most desirable directions.
The result?
Very little new housing near campus
No large-scale hotel expansion directly adjacent
Existing properties become more valuable for short-term rentals
From an Airbnb standpoint, that’s exactly what you want.
North Ames: An Overlooked Airbnb Opportunity
North Ames, around areas like Somerset—is often ignored by short-term rental owners.
But here’s what matters:
There are very few hotels in North Ames
It’s close to major employers and medical facilities
Guests staying longer than a weekend often prefer quieter neighborhoods
This area performs especially well for:
Mid-term stays
Medical-related visits
Business travelers
Families who don’t want Campustown noise
North Ames won’t replace Campustown for peak pricing, but it offers reliable occupancy with less volatility.
Medical and Government Demand Adds Another Layer
Iowa State isn’t the only demand driver in Ames.
Mary Greeley Medical Center
Mary Greeley Medical Center brings in:
Traveling medical professionals
Patients and families
Visiting specialists
These guests often need:
Clean, quiet stays
Longer booking windows
Flexible check-in and communication
Iowa DOT
The Iowa Department of Transportation also pulls in consultants, contractors, and staff on temporary assignments.
This kind of demand doesn’t disappear in the off-season. It fills the calendar when student-related bookings slow down.
Why Hotel Growth Confirms Ames Airbnb Demand
Ames currently supports:
Over 20 hotels
Thousands of short-term lodging units
Multiple new hotels built or announced recently
One of the most telling signals is continued hotel investment near Jack Trice, including new developments like the Cardinal.
Hotels don’t expand unless demand is proven.
What this tells us:
Ames isn’t overbuilt
Lodging demand continues to grow
Short-term rentals are competing in a healthy market
Well-run Airbnbs don’t lose to hotels—they complement them.
CyTown and the Future of Ames Demand
The CyTown district (sometimes referred to as Sidetown) near Jack Trice is expected to be completed in phases through the late 2020s.
This development is important because it will:
Add year-round attractions near campus
Increase event traffic beyond athletics
Drive demand for walkable lodging
As Ames continues investing near campus instead of sprawling outward, proximity becomes even more valuable.
For Airbnb owners, this reinforces a key rule: the best-performing properties are the ones closest to where people already want to be.
Why Self-Managing Airbnb in Ames Is Harder Than It Looks
Ames is forgiving if you do things right—and unforgiving if you don’t.
Common challenges we see:
Underpricing ISU weekends months in advance
Overpricing slower academic periods
Missing multi-week booking opportunities
Inconsistent cleaning during turnover-heavy weekends
Slow guest responses hurting reviews
Because demand patterns are tied to academic calendars and events, pricing and availability need to be proactive—not reactive.
👉 This is where most owners leave money on the table.
How We Manage Ames Airbnb Properties Around ISU Demand
At Stay A While, we focus heavily on local demand intelligence.
That includes:
Tracking Iowa State academic and event calendars
Adjusting pricing well before peak weekends
Balancing short-term and mid-term opportunities
Coordinating cleaning and maintenance during high-turnover periods
Communicating professionally with guests who have high expectations
We currently manage around 20 Airbnb properties across Central Iowa, with an average review rating near 4.85. Since 2021, we’ve seen many Ames properties improve performance compared to self-management, though results always vary and this is not financial advice.
Who Benefits Most From Airbnb Near Iowa State
Full service Airbnb management near ISU is best for:
Busy professionals who don’t want to manage calendars daily
Owners near Campustown or West Ames
Out-of-state owners unfamiliar with ISU demand cycles
Hosts burned out by guest communication and cleaning coordination
If your property is close to campus, small mistakes compound quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Airbnb Demand in Ames
Is Ames too dependent on Iowa State?No. While Iowa State is the anchor, medical, government, and business travel add stability.
Do Airbnbs compete with hotels in Ames?They serve different guest needs. Families, longer stays, and groups often prefer Airbnbs.
Is Campustown always better than North Ames?Not always. Campustown commands higher peak rates, while North Ames offers steady occupancy.
Does new hotel construction hurt Airbnb demand?Not typically. Hotel growth usually confirms strong underlying demand.
Final Thoughts: Iowa State Makes Ames a Strategic Airbnb Market
Iowa State doesn’t just bring fans to town—it anchors the entire lodging economy.
Between:
Year-round academic demand
Limited development near campus
Strong medical and government presence
Continued hotel investment
Ames remains one of the most stable Airbnb markets in Central Iowa when managed correctly.
If you own—or are considering owning—an Airbnb in Ames, understanding ISU demand is critical.
👉 Let us show you how your property fits into the Ames market.
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