Tama, IA

Iowa

Tama is a small town in Iowa with a population of 3,079. Residents earn $61,944 per year, which is 18% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
3,079 Population 1,037/sq mi density
$61,944 Median Income $27,234 per capita
$101,200 Home Value $134,421 Zillow
$744 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$61,944 median income, 4.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$101,200 home value, $744/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $61,944
18% lower than US avg
Home Value $101,200
64% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.5%
54% lower than US avg
Median Rent $744
36% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 44.6%
39% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.2%
17% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 18.9%
52% higher than US avg

How Tama Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population3,079
Median Age35.0 yrs
Density1,037/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 66%

Economy

B
Median Income$61,944
Per Capita$27,234
Unemployment4.2%
Poverty18.9%
County GDP$1,654M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$101,200
Rent$744
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$134,421

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity44.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.6%
Heart Disease7.1%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.2 in/yr
Elevation834 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.5%
High School+80.7%
School Score5.25

Community

2024 VoteR 58% / D 41%
Commute20 min
Libraries3

Is Tama a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Tama receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, high obesity rates. Tama offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Tama is $61,944, 18% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.2%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 18.9% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Tama is $101,200, 64% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $744 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

15.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 80.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Tama experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.2 inches, including 31.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Tama has a population of 3,079 with a density of 1,037 people per square mile. The median age is 35.0 years, 10% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (65.7%), with 6.6% Hispanic, 2.4% Black.

Population

3,079
Total Population
1,037
People / sq mi
35.0yrs
Median Age
10% below US avg
3.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.7%
Female 48.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Tama vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only65.0%
17% below US avg
Spanish35.0%
161% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Tama vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Tama is $61,944, which is 18% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 18.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Tama vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$61,944
18% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,234
Avg Weekly Wage$1,108
IRS Avg AGI$77,315

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.2%
17% above US avg
Poverty Rate18.9%
52% above US avg
Establishments (County)699
County GDP$1,654M

Business (County)

Restaurants47
Healthcare62
Retail80
Manufacturing30

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,683
34% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.63%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.1 min
Work from Home3.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Tama is $101,200, 64% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $744 (36% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $134,421.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$101,200
64% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$134,421

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$744
36% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$698
1 Bedroom$717
2 Bedrooms$941
3 Bedrooms$1,174
4 Bedrooms$1,330

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied73.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,683
34% above US avg
Effective Rate4.63%
In Tama, 44.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.6% report depression. 36.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Tama vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity44.6%
39% above US avg
Diabetes13.6%
Heart Disease7.1%
High Blood Pressure34.4%
Asthma10.7%
COPD9.0%
Stroke3.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.2%
Physical Inactivity36.0%
Depression21.6%
Mental Distress19.7%
Physical Distress16.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.1%
Checkup Rate74.0%
Premature Death6,568/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access70.8%
Healthcare Facilities62

Crime Rates: Tama vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Tama has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.5°F
12% below US avg
January Average19°F (-7°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.2 inches
0% below US avg
Snowfall31.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation834 ft (254 m)
Area3.0 sq mi (7.7 km²)
Population Density1,037/sq mi
Coordinates41.9651°N, 92.5738°W
County FIPS19157
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 15.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (54% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 17-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 57.8%
D 40.8%

Winner: Republican by 17 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.5%
54% below US avg
High School+80.7%
School Test Score5.25
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,037/sq mi
Total Area3.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities62
Restaurants47
Retail Stores80

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.1 min
Work from Home3.9%

Nearby Cities

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