1st Advantage MortgageAbout 76% of Tama County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $70,781. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Tama County, IA: the basics
- Tama County at the extremes
- Tama County income bands
- What it costs to live in Tama County
- The Tama County job picture
- Tama County communities by population
- Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
- Tama County households compared
- A Tama County household budget, worked through
- Before borrowing in Tama County
- Checklist for Tama County applicants
- Lender oversight for Tama County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Tama County, IA: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Tama County's population at 16,868; only 42 of Iowa's 99 county-level areas are larger. Density: about 23.4 residents per square mile across 721 square miles of land. Metro status: none; Tama County sits outside the 2023 OMB metro areas. Of the 12 Census places inside Tama County, Tama leads by population with about 3,051; 12 of the 12 are incorporated.
Tama County at the extremes
Ranked against the other 98 county-level areas in Iowa, these are the Tama County figures furthest from the middle.
- On households without a vehicle, Tama County sits near the bottom of Iowa at 2.5%, 4th lowest of 99. Car ownership is close to universal, and so are repair bills.
- On the poverty rate, Tama County sits near the top of Iowa at 14.8%, 12th highest of 99. Free help, such as utility and rent assistance, should come before any loan.
Tama County income bands
$70,781 is the median household income for Tama County, set against $75,059 for Iowa. In the state ranking that is 53rd of 99.
| Band | Tama County | Compared with Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.5% | +0.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.5% | +4.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.2% | -0.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.8% | -4.8 pts |
Six-figure households (31%) outnumber those under $35,000 (21%) in Tama County. The poverty rate is 14.8%, 4 points higher than the state's 11.1%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.397 here. A household earning below the $70,781 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
What it costs to live in Tama County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $872 in Tama County versus $972 statewide. By the Census definition, 36% of Tama County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $148,600, a typical Tama County house costs 2.1 times what the median household earns in a year. In Tama County, 76% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. Nationally, Tama County's $872 rent is about level with the middle county.
| Housing | Tama County | Iowa statewide | Tama County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent-burdened renters | 36% | 44% | -7.8 pts |
| Owners | 76% | 72% | +4.2 pts |
| Median home value | $148,600 | $208,000 | 29% lower |
| Median gross rent | $872/mo | $972/mo | 10% lower |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 20% | +0.2 pts |
| Mobile homes | 3.2% | 3.2% | 0.0 pts |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
The Tama County job picture
Education and health care (21%), manufacturing (15%) and retail trade (11%) lead Tama County's job mix. Relative to Iowa (7%), construction is 3 points bigger in Tama County (10%). The survey's unemployment rate for Tama County averages 3.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.6%). Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 13%; under 15 minutes: 40%. 171 Tama County households, 2.5%, have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Tama County | Difference from Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.0% | -3.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.2% | +0.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.3% | -0.2 pts |
| Construction | 9.6% | +2.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.0% | 0.0 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.2% | -1.4 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Tama County communities by population
Here are the 12 most populous of the county's 12 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 65% of Tama County residents live in one of the 12. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $23,073, Traer over Toledo. Rent is cheapest in Garwin ($750) and steepest in Traer ($971). This guide covers each of the 12 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tama | city | 3,051 | $68,661 | $832 | 8 mi |
| Toledo | city | 1,966 | $53,333 | $887 | 6 mi |
| Dysart | city | 1,519 | $67,695 | $766 | 13 mi |
| Traer | city | 1,519 | $76,406 | $971 | 9 mi |
| Gladbrook | city | 992 | $70,125 | $844 | 12 mi |
| Garwin | city | 571 | $55,714 | $750 | 8 mi |
| Clutier | city | 426 | $65,156 | $1,577 | 6 mi |
| Chelsea | city | 404 | $40,313 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Montour | city | 206 | $81,346 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Elberon | city | 143 | $57,188 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Lincoln | city | 113 | $65,000 | $1,000 | 15 mi |
| Vining | city | 68 | $73,750 | n/a | 9 mi |
Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Tama County's, from 23 to 36 miles away. Tama County's $70,781 median trails 4 of the six and beats 2; the range runs $66,417 (Black Hawk County) to $87,205 (Grundy County).
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tama County | - | $70,781 | $872/mo | 76% |
| Marshall County, IA | 23 mi | $73,315 | $885/mo | 75% |
| Benton County, IA | 24 mi | $86,962 | $826/mo | 85% |
| Grundy County, IA | 26 mi | $87,205 | $774/mo | 84% |
| Poweshiek County, IA | 27 mi | $67,391 | $883/mo | 71% |
| Black Hawk County, IA | 30 mi | $66,417 | $989/mo | 66% |
| Iowa County, IA | 36 mi | $71,223 | $686/mo | 77% |
Tama County households compared
Degree holders: 21% of adults over 25. Health coverage gaps: 6.2% of Tama County residents are uninsured.
| Measure | Tama County | Gap to Iowa | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.5 | +2.9 yrs | +0.0 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.5% | -10.9 pts | -1.6 pts |
| No high school diploma | 8.5% | +1.7 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.2% | +1.2 pts | -1.6 pts |
| No vehicle | 2.5% | -2.9 pts | -2.9 pts |
| Work from home | 8.7% | -2.6 pts | +0.1 pts |
| Poverty rate | 14.8% | +3.7 pts | +1.6 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.8% | +0.3 pts | -0.6 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Tama County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 40.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.2% |
| 60+ min | 6.1% |
A Tama County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Tama County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,898 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $872, takes 15% of that
- Under a 36% cap, $2,123 total minus rent leaves $1,251
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Before borrowing in Tama County
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Tama County borrower sees (free reports).
Checklist for Tama County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Verify the Iowa license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask a Tama County credit union about member loans.
Lender oversight for Tama County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Tama County, check the Iowa Division of Banking. If a Tama County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop.
Related local guides
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Tama County household make?
About $70,781 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 6% below the Iowa median.
How much is rent in Tama County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $872 a month; 36% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I own my home in Tama County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 76% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Tama County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 12 Census places: Tama, Toledo, Dysart, Traer, Gladbrook.
Can Tama County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Iowa county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.