City · Iowa
Tama, Iowa
Tama, city, in Tama County, Iowa. Tama had 3,011 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.7% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 3,130 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 3,051 (±60). GEOID 1977115.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
3,011
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,130 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,051 ±60
Median household income
$68,661
±$5,435 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$106,800
±$14,268 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$832
±$65 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
Where is Tama and what county is it in?
Tama is a city in Tama County, Iowa. It covers 3.0 square miles of land, 1,054 residents per square mile in 2020.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Tama, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 3,011 people lived in Tama on July 1, 2025, down 2.7% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020 Census counted 3,130 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 3,051 (±60).
| Measure | Tama | Tama County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,051 ±60 | 16,868 | +282 |
| Households | 1,052 ±89 | 6,720 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.85 ±0.23 | 2.46 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,122 ±95 | 7,595 | no clear change |
Tama's population since 2000
From 2,731 in 2000 to 3,011 in 2025: up 10.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Tama as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Tama?
The median resident of Tama is 36.2 years old; 30.1% are under 18 and 16.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 64.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 27.5%. 12.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Tama | Tama County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.2 ±3.7 | 41.5 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 30.1% ±3.1 pts | 23.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.3% ±3.2 pts | 21.0% | – |
| Male | 53.7% ±3.2 pts | 50.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 27.5% ±4.4 pts | 11.7% | −7.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 64.3% ±4.8 pts | 78.4% | +8.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.6% ±1.6 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 2.1% ±1.5 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.8 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.0% ±1.5 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.8 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 12.9% ±3.5 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 26.7% ±5.0 pts | 11.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.8% ±2.8 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 12.7% ±3.5 pts | 11.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.4% ±4.2 pts | 6.2% | +5.1 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 81.8% ±5.5 pts | 91.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.2% ±4.4 pts | 20.5% | +8.5 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.7% ±2.4 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 90.8% ±3.8 pts | 90.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.4% ±0.3 pts | 1.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Tama earn?
Half of Tama's 1,052 households earn less than $68,661 a year (±$5,435), against $70,781 in Tama County and $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 the median was $62,509 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $6,152 after inflation. 24.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Tama | Tama County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $68,661 ±$5,435 | $70,781 | +$6,152 |
| Mean household income | $81,123 ±$9,513 | $83,931 | – |
| Per capita income | $28,745 ±$3,878 | $34,186 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 24.0% ±9.3 pts | 14.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 41.3% ±18.5 pts | 23.2% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.6% ±4.6 pts | 9.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.9% ±2.3 pts | 94.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.0% ±5.5 pts | 87.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Tama?
Owners occupy 74.2% of Tama's occupied homes and renters 25.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $106,800 by its owner (±$14,268). The median renter pays $832 a month including utilities, and 39.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Tama | Tama County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $106,800 ±$14,268 | $148,600 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $832 ±$65 | $872 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.9% ±16.2 pts | 33.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,175 ±$133 | $1,324 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.2% ±7.1 pts | 76.0% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 25.8% ±7.1 pts | 24.0% | – |
| Housing units | 1,122 ±95 | 7,595 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±3.1 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±8.8 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 85.3% ±5.0 pts | 88.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.0% ±2.7 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±2.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 2.9% ±1.8 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 30.7% ±7.4 pts | 38.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.3% ±2.7 pts | 2.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Tama building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units in Tama in 2025 (0 in single-family houses), 0.0 per 1,000 residents against 4.2 across Iowa.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Tama work and get to work?
73.6% of Tama's workers drive alone and 5.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.5%.
| Measure | Tama | Tama County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.5% ±4.3 pts | 61.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.5% ±4.3 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 73.6% ±7.5 pts | 78.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 20.3% ±7.1 pts | 10.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±2.0 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Walked | 0.0% ±2.0 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.8% ±3.0 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.2 min ±4.6 | 22.7 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Tama?
1 census tract lies mostly in Tama, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 2905Tama County | 3,393 | $60,795 |
| Tract 2904Tama County | 2,836 | $66,563 |
| Tract 2906Tama County | 2,311 | $71,250 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Tama) · Census block assignment files
How does Tama compare with other places in Iowa?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Tama is the 6,329th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 122nd-most populous of 939 in Iowa.
Tama ranks 152nd of 279 places in Iowa with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 122nd | 939 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 222nd | 275 |
| Residents per square mile | 144th | 279 |
| Median household income | 152nd | 279 |
| Per capita income | 267th | 279 |
| Median home value | 253rd | 279 |
| Median gross rent | 143rd | 266 |
| Poverty rate | 6th | 232 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 247th | 279 |
| Median age | 219th | 279 |
| Owner-occupied share | 135th | 279 |
| Work from home | 173rd | 221 |
| Travel time to work | 138th | 279 |
Tama's figures with every place in Iowa (CSV)
Every place in Iowa, sortable · Compare Tama with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Tama?
12 of the 57 figures for Tama on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Tama are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Tama.