Story County

Story County was named after Joseph Story, an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, and was officially organized on January 13, 1853. Major landmarks include the Iowa State University campus with its iconic Campanile bell tower, Reiman Gardens, Ada Hayden Heritage Park, and the historic downtown districts of both Ames and Nevada.

Story County is served by several key offices: Story County Recorder's Office at 900 6th Street in Nevada handles land records and vital statistics; Story County Clerk of Court manages judicial records; and Story County Assessor's Office oversees property assessments and taxation matters. Story County's unique character stems from its blend of agricultural heritage with cutting edge research and technology driven by Iowa State University's presence, creating a diverse economy that ranges from traditional farming operations to biotechnology firms and advanced manufacturing. Story County also includes the communities of Huxley, Slater, Colo, Collins, Gilbert, Kelley, McCallsburg, Roland, Nevada area City, and Zearing, each contributing to Story County's mix of small-town Iowa culture combined with university-town sophistication.

Story County Jail, located at the same address, houses inmates awaiting trial or serving sentences, and the facility maintains an online inmate roster accessible through Story County website where citizens can search current inmates by name, booking date, or charges. Municipal law enforcement in Story County includes the Ames Police Department (serving the largest city), Nevada Police Department, Story City Police Department, and smaller departments in Huxley, Slater, Roland, and other incorporated municipalities. Arrest records and booking information are generally public unless they pertain to ongoing investigations or involve juveniles.

There are no tribal law enforcement jurisdictions in Story County, as Iowa does not have federally recognized tribal lands within its borders.

Story County Clerk of Court maintains all court records and case files, providing public access under Iowa Court Rules. Citizens can search court records online through the Iowa Judicial Branch's Iowa Courts Online system at www.iowacourts.state.ia.us, which provides free access to case information including party names, case numbers, filing dates, dispositions, and judgments for both criminal and civil matters. More detailed documents such as pleadings, motions, and exhibits may require in-person review at the Clerk's office or payment of copy fees, typically $0.50 per page for standard documents and higher fees for certified copies.

Iowa Code Chapter 22 and Iowa Court Rules 16.301 through 16.311 govern public access to court records, establishing that most court documents are public unless specifically sealed by court order or protected by statute, such as juvenile records, certain mental health proceedings, and records involving trade secrets.

Story County offers a free online property records search through Story County website at www.storycountyiowa.gov/recorder, where users can search recorded documents by grantor/grantee name, document type, recording date, or legal description. For property tax information, assessment values, and parcel data, citizens should contact Story County Assessor's Office at 900 6th Street, Nevada, Iowa 50201 The Assessor maintains an online GIS mapping system and property search database accessible through Story County website, where users can search by owner name, parcel number, or address to view current assessed values, property characteristics, sales history, and aerial photography.

Property tax payment information and tax sale records are maintained by Story County Treasurer's Office at the same address The Treasurer's online system allows property owners to view current and delinquent taxes, print tax statements, and pay taxes electronically. All of these records are public under Iowa Code Chapter 22, subject only to specific statutory exemptions.

Applicants must provide valid photo identification and demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record, as Iowa Code Chapter 144 restricts access to immediate family members, legal representatives, or others with legal entitlement. The Iowa Department of Public Health also offers online ordering through VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com with credit card payment and overnight shipping options available. Marriage licenses are issued by Story County Clerk of Court at 1315 South B Avenue, Nevada, Iowa 50201

Marriage records become public after the completed license is returned and recorded. Divorce records (Dissolution of Marriage decrees) are maintained by the Clerk of Court as part of the court file system and are generally public records accessible through Iowa Courts Online or by visiting the courthouse. Birth certificates less than 100 years old and death certificates less than 50 years old have restricted access to protect privacy interests, while older records are considered historical documents with broader public access.

For corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and other formal business entities, the primary registry is maintained by the Iowa Secretary of State's Business Services Division in Des Moines. The Secretary of State offers a free online Business Entity Search at sos.iowa.gov where users can search by business name, registered agent, or filing number to view entity status, formation date, registered office address, and filing history. This database includes active, dissolved, and withdrawn entities dating back many years.

Professional licenses such as those for contractors, real estate agents, cosmetologists, healthcare providers, and other regulated professions are issued by various state boards and can be verified through the Iowa Division of Professional Licensure website. At the local level, the City of Ames, Nevada, and other Story County municipalities require business registration and may require specific licenses for certain activities such as liquor sales, food service, or home-based businesses. Building permits, zoning approvals, and occupancy permits are issued by individual city planning departments or, for unincorporated areas, by Story County Planning and Development Department located at 900 6th Street, Nevada.

The Nevada Chamber of Commerce and Story City Chamber of Commerce serve their respective communities with similar resources.

Voter registration in Story County can be completed in several ways: online through the Iowa Secretary of State's website at sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterreg, in person at the Auditor's office or any Iowa Department of Transportation driver's license station, by mail using a voter registration form, or on Election Day at your polling place with proof of residence and identification. Iowa law requires voter registration to be completed at least 10 days before an election, though same-day registration is available on Election Day and during the early voting period. To find your specific polling place in Story County, voters can use the polling place lookup tool on the Secretary of State's website or contact the Auditor's office directly; polling locations are assigned based on residential address and precinct boundaries.

Election records that are public in Iowa include the voter registration list (excluding dates of birth and Social Dakota Security numbers), precinct-level election results, candidate filing information, campaign finance reports filed with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board, absentee ballot request logs, and poll books showing who voted. In the November 2024 general election, Story County reported approximately 64% voter turnout among registered voters, consistent with Story County's historically strong civic engagement and slightly above the statewide average of 62%. This turnout reflected strong participation particularly in Ames precincts near Iowa State University.

The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring midterm elections for U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate (if applicable to the cycle), all four Iowa U.S.

House seats, Iowa state legislative races, county offices including supervisors and recorder, and various local city councils and school boards. Voters can request absentee ballots online through the Secretary of State's website, by mailing a written request to the Auditor's office, in person at the Auditor's office, or by having someone designated to pick up a ballot on their behalf. Early voting in person begins 29 days before any election at the Auditor's office and at satellite locations that may be established in Ames and other population centers.

Iowa law (Iowa Code Chapters 39-53) provides substantial transparency in election administration, allowing citizens to observe ballot counting, request copies of election results and reports, serve as poll watchers, and challenge election procedures through the State Board of Canvassers if irregularities are suspected. Story County Auditor's office publishes unofficial election results on election night and certified results after the official canvass is completed approximately one week later.

Major private sector employers in Story County include Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Ball Corporation's metal beverage container manufacturing plant, Danfoss Power Solutions (hydraulic systems), Barilla America (pasta manufacturing), and Workiva (cloud computing and regulatory reporting software). Agriculture remains economically significant, with Story County ranking among Iowa's top counties for corn and soybean production, along with substantial hog and cattle operations on family farms throughout the unincorporated areas. Story County's agricultural productivity is enhanced by Iowa State's agricultural research and extension programs.

Key economic sectors include education and health services (24% of employment), manufacturing (12%), retail trade (11%), professional and business services (10%), and agriculture (8%). The unemployment rate in Story County typically runs below both state and national averages, hovering around 2-3%, reflecting the stable employment base provided by the university and diversified employer mix. Recent economic development projects include the Iowa State University Research Park expansion, which has attracted biotechnology and advanced manufacturing companies; downtown Ames revitalization including the new Ames City Auditorium and mixed-use developments; and continued growth in the Hunziker Youth Sports Complex area.

The Ames Economic Development Commission and Story County Community Development Office actively recruit businesses and support entrepreneurship through the ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship and various business incubator programs.