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Ames, NEPhoto: Jared Winkler · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Ames handbook

Living in Ames, NE: what to set up and who to call

Ames has no town government of its own, so Dodge County runs its elections and most services, and its children attend North Bend Central Public Schools. Power in Ames comes from Omaha Public Power District, a political subdivision utility rather than a private company.

Which school will my kid attend?How do I register to vote?ZIP codes
Ames has no town government. It’s a census-designated place in Dodge County, so the county and regional agencies provide most services. This page answers what we can; the same answers appear on Ames’ town page under “Getting set up”.

I’m new in town

What to set up in Ames, and who provides it. Tap an answer for the details and where they come from.

PowerOmaha Public Power Districtpolitical subdivision utility · 13.3¢/kWhMore →Internet5 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsMore →Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Ames’ trash rules yetMore →SchoolNorth Bend Central Public SchoolsWhich school depends on grade and addressMore →Register to voteOnlineRules from vote.govMore →ZIP code68621Where people live, not P.O. boxesMore →
Home services

Power, water and internet

Who to call to start service at a new address in Ames.

Electricity

Power comes from Omaha Public Power District

Omaha Public Power District (Omaha Public Power District), a political subdivision utility, serves all of Ames. Its homes paid an average of 13.3¢ per kWh in 2025, about $121 a month (its average across Nebraska).

Start or move service: oppd.com · (402) 536-4131

Service territory: HIFLD Electric Retail Service Territories (map dated Aug 2023). Prices and customers: EIA-861, 2025.

Internet

5 home internet providers serve Ames

100% of 17 addresses can get 100/20 Mbps; 88% can get fiber.

ProviderTechnologyAddressesFastest (Mbps)
Cox CommunicationsFiber94%1,000/35
GigFireFixed wireless100%150/130
T-MobileFixed wireless76%25/3
Alpine ConnectiveFixed wireless35%200/50
NextlinkFixed wireless24%1,000/1,000

FCC National Broadband Map, as of December 2025. Availability as providers report it, not speeds people get.

Trash & recycling

We don’t have Ames’ trash rules yet

Pickup rules, the dump and recycling in Ames.

Trash, recycling and bulk pickupNot on fileAmes has no town government of its own, so look for trash and recycling rules on the county’s site.
Schools

Where your child goes to school

Public school districts and the school path by grade.

Ames kids go to
PK–5North Bend Central Elementary Schoolin North Bend
6–8North Bend Central Middle Schoolin North Bend
9–12North Bend Central High Schoolin North Bend

Ames is in North Bend Central Public Schools.

Test scores and every school: see Schools →

U.S. Department of Education, NCES Common Core of Data, 2024–25. Enrollment rules and registration are the district’s.

Government & voting

No town hall: the county runs things

Ames is unincorporated, so Dodge County is the local government.

Local governmentDodge CountyAmes is a census-designated place: no town hall of its ownCensus
Who runs elections hereDodge County ClerkElections here are run by Dodge County (county election office). 435 N Park Ave, Ste 102, Fremont, NE 68025 · (402) 727-2767 · [email protected]FVAP, Sep 2021
Register to voteOnlineIn Nebraska you can register online until 18 days before Election Day, in person until 11 days before Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 18 days before).vote.govCheck your registration and polling placevotercheck.necvr.ne.govThe state’s voter lookup

Election office: FVAP local election office directory, updated Sep 2021; jurisdictions: EAC EAVS 2024. Registration rules and links: vote.gov, updated Sep 30, 2026.

ZIP codes & area codes

Ames is in ZIP code 68621

ZIP codes where Ames residents live, with the share of the town in each.

ZIPPost office nameShare of AmesZIP’s residents in Ames
68621Ames, NE100%3%

Census 2020 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, by census block; post office names: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). ZIPs created since 2020 are missing.

Everyday places

Getting around, the ER and the library

One line each; the subject pages have the rest.

Nearest emergency roomMethodist Fremont Health6.9 miles awayGet a library cardKeene Memorial Library1030 North Broad Street · (402) 727-2694

ER: CMS hospital data. Library: IMLS Public Libraries Survey, FY2024.

Questions about living in Ames

Who provides electricity in Ames?

Omaha Public Power District (Omaha Public Power District), a political subdivision utility. Its homes paid about 13.3¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA).

What internet providers serve Ames?

Cox Communications, GigFire, T-Mobile, Alpine Connective, Nextlink (FCC, as of December 2025).

What ZIP codes are in Ames?

68621. Census 2020 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas.

What school district is Ames in?

North Bend Central Public Schools.

How do I register to vote in Ames?

In Nebraska you can register online until 18 days before Election Day, in person until 11 days before Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 18 days before). Elections here are run by the Dodge County Clerk. Check your registration at votercheck.necvr.ne.gov.

Sources & dates

Every answer above names its source. Here they are with their dates.

  • Power: HIFLD Electric Retail Service Territories (map Aug 2023); EIA-861 final 2025.
  • Trash: OpenStreetMap, Geofabrik extract of Oct 9, 2026. © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
  • ZIP codes: Census 2020 ZCTA relationship files; GeoNames postal codes (CC BY 4.0).
  • Schools: NCES Common Core of Data, 2024–25.
  • Registration: vote.gov, updated Sep 30, 2026 (read Oct 10, 2026). Official sites and area codes: Wikidata.
  • Election office: FVAP local election office directory (fetched Oct 10, 2026; each record dated), EAC EAVS 2024 jurisdictions; registration and lookup links from vote.gov’s state data, checked Oct 10, 2026.
  • Internet: FCC National Broadband Map, as of December 2025.