Tama, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Poweshiek County County

3.3 /5.0
B Good
3,079 Population 1,037/sq mi density
$61,944 Median Income $27,234 per capita
$101,200 Home Value $144,292 Zillow
$744 Median Rent 24.6% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$61,944 median income, 6.9% 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

Tama, IA

At a Glance

Median Income
$61,944
18% below
$27,234 per capita
Home Value
$101,200
64% below
Zillow: $144,292
Median Rent
$744/mo
36% below
24.6% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
15.5%
54% below
80.7% high school+
Unemployment
6.9%
92% above
18.9% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
44.6%
39% above
21.5% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
47°F

How Tama Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Tama's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
82%
Home Value
36%
Rent
64%
Poverty
152%
Bachelor's
46%
Unemployment
192%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Tama a Good Place to Live?

B
3.3 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Tama residents earn a median household income of $61,944 , which is 18% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $27,234. The unemployment rate stands at 6.9% (92% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 18.9% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 699 business establishments, including 47 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Tama is $101,200 , 64% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $144,292. Median rent is $744/month, with 24.6% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 87.8 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1956.

Education

15.5% of adults in Tama hold a bachelor's degree or higher (54% below the national average). 80.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.3/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Tama has an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.2 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population3,079
Median Age35.0 yrs
Density1,037/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Foreign Born17.1%
Veterans10.1%

Economy

C+
Median Income$61,944
Per Capita$27,234
Unemployment6.9%
Poverty18.9%
County GDP$1,654M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,108

Housing

A+
Home Value$101,200
Rent$744
Ownership73.3%
Zillow$144,292
Housing Units1,142
Rent Burden24.6%

Health

Obesity44.6%
Diabetes13.6%
Smoking21.5%
Heart Disease7.1%
Premature Death6,568/100K

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
Rain35.2 in/yr
Elevation834 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.5%
High School+80.7%
Graduate+5.2%
School Score5.3/10

Community

2024 VoteR 58% / D 41%
Commute20 min
Broadband79.5%
Internet Speed52 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries3

Did You Know?

The median home in Tama was built in 1956.
The nearest airport is Waterloo Regional (42 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.480 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
8.7% of the population has a disability.
17.1% of residents are foreign-born.
The county recorded 2 fatal vehicle crashes.