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Tama, IA
City in Tama County, Iowa.
Population
3,051
Land area
3sq mi
People per sq mi
1,027
ZIP codes
0
Tama and its ZIP codes
Tama at a glance
- Tama is about 18 times as dense as Iowa as a whole.
- It is the 121st most populous of 1,017 cities and towns in Iowa.
- Households here earn a median of $68,661 a year, 9% less than the Iowa figure of $75,059.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $106,800 (49% below Iowa) and median rent is $832 a month.
Local data for Tama, IA
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Tama, IA, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$68,661
Poverty rate
24.0%
Median home value
$106,800
Median rent
$832/mo
Homeownership
74.2%
Bachelor's or higher
16.2%
Median age
36.2
Average commute
20.2 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (625), Mexican Americans (609), Irish Americans (404).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Tama County. PPP loans are for Tama.
Unemployment rate
3.9%
Sep 2026, +0.3 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$49,627
5,391 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$57,444
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$141M
FY 2026, $8,240 per person
How people get to work
Tama, IA, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone73.6%
- Carpooled20.3%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked0.0%
- Bicycle0.3%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home5.8%
Average one-way commute: 20.2 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Tama, IA, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: drought
Storm events since 1996
538
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
35
0.4% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
83° / 9°F
35.3 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone1 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Tama, IA, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
43.7%
U.S. 33.3% +10.4 pts
Diabetes
14.6%
U.S. 12.1% +2.5 pts
Smoking
20.8%
U.S. 12.8% +8.0 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
16.3%
U.S. 11.1% +5.2 pts
Cities near Tama
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| ToledoCity | 1.9 mi | 2.3 |
| MontourCity | 7.8 mi | 0.5 |
| ChelseaCity | 9.3 mi | 1 |
| ViningCity | 9.5 mi | 0.6 |
| GarwinCity | 11 mi | 1 |
| Le GrandCity | 11 mi | 1 |
| Holiday LakeCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 2.7 |
| ClutierCity | 12 mi | 0.7 |
| GilmanCity | 13 mi | 0.5 |
| ElberonCity | 13 mi | 0.7 |
| FergusonCity | 15 mi | 0.3 |
| Belle PlaineCity | 16 mi | 3.2 |
| Green MountainCensus-designated place | 16 mi | 0.7 |
| TraerCity | 16 mi | 1.3 |
| HartwickCity | 17 mi | 0.2 |
| BrooklynCity | 17 mi | 1.3 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Tama, IA in?
- Tama is in Tama County, Iowa.
- What is the population of Tama, IA?
- About 3,051 people live in Tama, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Tama?
- Nearby places include Toledo (1.9 mi), Montour (7.8 mi), Chelsea (9.3 mi), Vining (9.5 mi), Garwin (11 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023