County · Iowa
Tama County, Iowa
Tama County, Iowa. Tama County had 16,796 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.8% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. It holds 13 places (13 cities, villages and boroughs) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 19171.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
16,796
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 17,135 · ACS 2020-2024: 16,868
Median household income
$70,781
±$3,087 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$148,600
±$9,729 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$872
±$39 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Tama County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 17,135 residents in Tama County. The Census Bureau estimates 16,796 for July 1, 2025, down 1.8% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 16,868 over 721 square miles of land.
| Measure | Tama County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 16,868 | 3,210,507 | −164 |
| Households | 6,720±173 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.46±0.06 | 2.36 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,595±42 | 1,437,699 | −199 |
Tama County's population since 2000
From 18,103 in 2000 to 16,796 in 2025: down 7.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Tama County?
Tama County holds 13 places: 13 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Tama with 3,011 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Tama | 3,130 | $68,661 |
|---|---|---|
| Toledo | 2,369 | $53,333 |
| Traer | 1,583 | $76,406 |
| Dysart | 1,281 | $67,695 |
| Gladbrook | 799 | $70,125 |
| Garwin | 481 | $55,714 |
| Chelsea | 229 | $40,313 |
| Clutier | 213 | $65,156 |
| MontourGEOID 1953670 | 203 | $81,346 |
| ElberonGEOID 1924375 | 184 | $57,188 |
| LincolnGEOID 1945255 | 121 | $65,000 |
| ViningGEOID 1981120 | 54 | $73,750 |
| Le Grand | 905 | $76,250 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Tama County?
The median resident of Tama County is 41.5 years old; 23.7% are under 18 and 21.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 78.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 11.7%. 4.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Tama County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.5±0.9 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.7% | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.0%±0.2 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 11.7% | 7.3% | +1.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 78.4%±0.2 pts | 82.3% | −2.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.3 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.1 pts | 2.5% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 5.3%±0.4 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.9%±0.5 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.1%±0.7 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 11.2%±1.2 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.9%±0.9 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 11.7%±1.3 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.2%±1.3 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.5%±1.3 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 20.5%±1.9 pts | 31.4% | +4.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.9%±1.0 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.5%±0.5 pts | 2.2% | – |
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 County earn?
Half of Tama County's 6,720 households earn less than $70,781 a year (±$3,087), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $68,964 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 14.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Tama County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $70,781±$3,087 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $83,931±$4,109 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,186±$1,458 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 14.8%±2.4 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 23.2%±5.1 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.6%±1.7 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.5%±2.1 pts | 88.9% | – |
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 County?
Owners occupy 76.0% of Tama County's occupied homes and renters 24.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $148,600 by its owner (±$9,729). The median renter pays $872 a month including utilities, and 33.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Tama County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $148,600±$9,729 | $208,000 | +$12,731 |
| Median gross rent | $872±$39 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.4%±7.6 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,324±$95 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.0%±2.4 pts | 71.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,595±42 | 1,437,699 | −199 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.2%±0.7 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.2%±4.0 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 88.2%±1.8 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.2%±1.2 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 38.1%±2.6 pts | 23.5% | – |
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 County building?
Builders took permits for 5 new housing units across Tama County in 2025 (5 single-family), 0.3 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Tama County get to work?
78.9% of Tama County's workers drive alone and 8.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.8%.
| Measure | Tama County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.9%±1.8 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8%±1.2 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.9%±2.3 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.2%±1.9 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.6%±0.6 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.7%±1.6 pts | 11.3% | +3.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.7 min±1.2 | 19.8 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 are Tama County's census tracts?
Tama County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $60,795 (Tract 2905) to $76,000 (Tract 2901).
| Tract 290119171290100 | 3,021±231 | $76,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 290219171290200 | 2,616±214 | $75,982 |
| Tract 290319171290300 | 2,691±221 | $74,139 |
| Tract 290419171290400 | 2,836±196 | $66,563 |
| Tract 290519171290500 | 3,393±179 | $60,795 |
| Tract 290619171290600 | 2,311±233 | $71,250 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Tama County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 43rd of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 67th of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 59th of 99 |
| Median household income | 53rd of 99 |
| Median home value | 65th of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 32nd of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 12th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 70th of 99 |
| Median age | 61st of 99 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 County 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' school search.