Tama, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Tama, Iowa had a total population of 3,051, the 121st largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $68,661, which is 9% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
Tama Quick Facts
How Tama Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,079 | 3,051 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $61,944 | $68,661 | +10.8% |
| Median home value | $101,200 | $106,800 | +5.5% |
How Tama Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Tama Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Tama County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toledo | 1,966 | $53,333 | 22.2% | $118,400 |
| Dysart | 1,519 | $67,695 | 12.3% | $158,300 |
| Traer | 1,519 | $76,406 | 11.2% | $151,900 |
| Gladbrook | 992 | $70,125 | 14.9% | $125,200 |
| Garwin | 571 | $55,714 | 7.7% | $87,600 |
| Clutier | 426 | $65,156 | 34.3% | $61,800 |
| Chelsea | 404 | $40,313 | 25.3% | $43,500 |
| Montour | 206 | $81,346 | 6.8% | $94,200 |
| Elberon | 143 | $57,188 | 23.1% | $110,000 |
| Lincoln | 113 | $65,000 | 8.8% | $97,800 |
Cities Similar to Tama
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garner | 3,049 | $70,726 | $186,300 | 21.9% | 11.5% |
| Tipton | 3,106 | $61,115 | $165,500 | 20.3% | 12.3% |
| Wilton | 2,920 | $76,648 | $189,200 | 36.1% | 8.9% |
| Milford | 3,311 | $63,369 | $218,400 | 21.8% | 8.9% |
| Onawa | 2,839 | $62,143 | $145,800 | 19.4% | 16.3% |
Population Overview
Tama is a small community located in Iowa, within Tama County. The total population is 3,051. It ranks as the 121st most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tama is 36.2 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 30.1% of the population under 18, Tama has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Tama is $68,661. This is 9% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 15% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.0%. This is 116% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.5%. This is 109% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $106,800. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Tama is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Tama is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 27.5%. The Black or African American population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (27.5% vs 7.3%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
16.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tama, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Tama, Iowa?
Tama, Iowa has a population of 3,051 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tama, IA?
The median household income in Tama is $68,661, which is 15% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Tama, IA?
The poverty rate in Tama is 24.0%. This means approximately 719 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tama, Iowa?
Tama's population is 64.3% White, 1.6% Black, 27.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tama, IA?
The median home value in Tama is $106,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Tama, Iowa?
16.2% of adults (25+) in Tama hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.