3-digit ZIP regional index
Home appreciation in ZIP codes 500xxAmes, IA area
FHFA HPI® data shows the regional home price index for ZIP codes beginning with 500 changed +2.4% over the year to Q2 2026, compared with +3.2% for Iowa and +3.0% for the United States.
The region covers ZIP codes 50001–50078. Most of its 2010 population lived in Polk County (33%), Story County (29%), Boone County (8%). Communities in the region include Ankeny, Altoona, Boone, Atlantic, Chariton. This is a regional index, not a ZIP5, street, or individual-home estimate.
- 1-year change
- +2.4%
- 5-year change
- +34.1%
- Since Q1 1995
- +197%
- National rank (1 year)
- 621st
Year to Q2 2026
vs U.S. +41.3%
vs U.S. +292%
of 882 ZIP3 regions
ZIP3 500 vs Iowa and the U.S.
FHFA HPI® all-transactions index, rebased so Q1 1995 = 100, through Q2 2026
- ZIP3 500: 296.9
- Iowa: 312.1
- Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro: 303.7
- United States: 391.6
Want a different starting year? Rebase this chart or compare with another ZIP3.
Appreciation by time window
| Window | ZIP3 500 | IA | U.S. | Gap vs IA | Gap vs U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | +2.4% | +3.2% | +3.0% | −0.9 pts | −0.7 pts |
| 3 years | +10.1% | +13.1% | +12.9% | −3.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
| 5 years | +34.1% | +37.4% | +41.3% | −3.3 pts | −7.2 pts |
| 10 years | +65.5% | +70.6% | +93.3% | −5.1 pts | −27.8 pts |
| Since Q1 1995 | +197% | +212% | +292% | −15.2 pts | −94.7 pts |
If you bought in ZIP3 500 in…
Applying the regional index change from the same quarter of each year to Q2 2026 to an example $300,000 purchase price. Individual homes can differ widely from the regional average.
| Bought in | Index change | $300,000 then, at the regional rate |
|---|---|---|
| Q2 1995 | +191% | $873,918 |
| Q2 2000 | +135% | $705,937 |
| Q2 2005 | +91.3% | $573,995 |
| Q2 2010 | +89.0% | $567,123 |
| Q2 2015 | +72.8% | $518,279 |
| Q2 2020 | +45.5% | $436,595 |
| Q2 2021 | +34.1% | $402,299 |
| Q2 2023 | +10.1% | $330,406 |
| Q2 2025 | +2.4% | $307,096 |
How ZIP3 500 ranks
Over the past year ZIP3 500 ranks 621st of 882 3-digit ZIP regions nationally and 19th of 25 in Iowa. Its one-year change is −0.7 pts versus the nation and −0.9 pts versus Iowa. Rank 1 is the strongest appreciation.
| Window | National rank | Rank in Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 621st of 882 | 19th of 25 |
| 3 years | 709th of 882 | 24th of 25 |
| 5 years | 737th of 882 | 23rd of 25 |
| 10 years | 787th of 882 | 21st of 25 |
| Since Q1 1995 | 792nd of 879 | 22nd of 25 |
Boom, bust, and recovery in ZIP3 500
ZIP3 500's index peaked in Q1 2008, fell 5.5% to its low in Q2 2011, and regained its peak in Q1 2014, about 6 years after the top. Today it sits +81.9% versus that 2000s peak. How every state and ZIP region fared
| Area | 2000s peak | Low point | Peak to low | Back to peak | Today vs peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZIP3 500 | Q1 2008 | Q2 2011 | -5.5% | Q1 2014 (6 yrs) | +81.9% |
| IA | Q1 2009 | Q2 2011 | -2.5% | Q4 2012 (3.8 yrs) | +86.4% |
| Metro | Q1 2008 | Q2 2011 | -6.9% | Q2 2015 (7.2 yrs) | +80.6% |
| U.S. | Q1 2007 | Q2 2012 | -19.0% | Q4 2016 (9.8 yrs) | +89.3% |
Appreciation after inflation
Adjusting for consumer price inflation, ZIP3 500's index has changed +34.1% in real terms since Q1 1995. Home prices vs inflation
| Window | Inflation (CPI-U) | ZIP3 500 after inflation | IA after inflation | Metro after inflation | U.S. after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | +3.9% | -1.4% | -0.6% | -1.5% | -0.8% |
| 3 years | +9.8% | +0.3% | +3.0% | +0.8% | +2.8% |
| 5 years | +24.0% | +8.1% | +10.8% | +9.0% | +13.9% |
| 10 years | +39.1% | +19.0% | +22.7% | +22.0% | +39.0% |
| Since Q1 1995 | +121% | +34.1% | +40.9% | +37.2% | +76.8% |
Estimate appreciation for a home in ZIP3 500
Regional estimate
$496,466
- Estimated gain
- $196,466
- Index change
- +65.49%
- Start index
- 179.39
- End index
- 296.87
ZIP3 500 (Ames, IA area), Q2 2016 to Q2 2026. Index type: Native 3-Digit ZIP index.
Nearby 3-digit ZIP regions
| 3-digit ZIP region | State | 1 year | 5 years | Since Q1 1995 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 503 · Des Moines, IA area | IA | +1.8% | +34.3% | +215% |
| 502 · West Des Moines, IA area | IA | +1.8% | +38.0% | +209% |
| 501 · Marshalltown, IA area | IA | +5.3% | +38.9% | +208% |
| 508 · Creston, IA area | IA | +3.1% | +39.6% | +239% |
| 505 · Fort Dodge, IA area | IA | -0.4% | +30.7% | +209% |
| 514 · Carroll, IA area | IA | +3.1% | +39.6% | +239% |
Recent quarterly index values
| Period | Index |
|---|---|
| Q2 2026 | 296.87 |
| Q1 2026 | 294.77 |
| Q4 2025 | 292.47 |
| Q3 2025 | 291.45 |
| Q2 2025 | 290.01 |
| Q1 2025 | 283.78 |
| Q4 2024 | 288.29 |
| Q3 2024 | 284.36 |
| Q2 2024 | 282.03 |
| Q1 2024 | 275.83 |
| Q4 2023 | 273.24 |
| Q3 2023 | 275.31 |
Frequently asked questions
- How much have home prices risen in ZIP codes starting with 500?
- Based on FHFA HPI® data for 3-digit ZIP region 500, the regional index changed +2.4% over the year to Q2 2026, +34.1% over five years, +65.5% over ten years, and +197% since Q1 1995.
- Is ZIP3 500 appreciating faster than Iowa and the U.S.?
- Over the past year the region's index +2.4% compares with +3.2% for Iowa and +3.0% for the U.S., a gap of −0.7 pts versus the nation. Over five years the gap versus the nation is −7.2 pts.
- Which ZIP codes are in 3-digit ZIP region 500?
- All ZIP codes that begin with 500. Census 2010 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas in this region run from 50001 to 50078 (61 areas). FHFA publishes one index for the whole 3-digit region, not for each 5-digit ZIP code.
- Can I use this to value my home?
- No. The FHFA HPI® is a broad regional index of average price movement. It is not an appraisal, tax assessment, or automated valuation of any individual property. Use it as general context alongside local sales and a professional opinion.