CountyScore

Tama County

Iowa · IA

#74 in Iowa
67.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Tama County, Iowa

Tama County exceeds national median

Tama County's composite score of 67.4 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by over 34%, placing it in the 67th percentile nationally. This indicates above-average livability for a U.S. county.

Just below Iowa's statewide average

At 67.4, Tama County falls slightly short of Iowa's 69.3 state average, positioning it as a solid mid-tier performer within the state. It's a competitive but not top-ranked Iowa community.

Housing affordability stands out

Tama County excels in cost with a score of 79.3 and a median home value of just $139,900, making it one of the most affordable counties in this group. Low median rent of $865/month also supports family budgets.

Health and income both lag peers

The health score of 73.4 is the lowest in this group, suggesting healthcare access or wellness challenges that deserve attention. Income at 27.7 with a median of $67,955 is also weak, limiting earning potential.

Suited for budget-conscious families

Tama County works best for families and retirees seeking maximum housing affordability with moderate, stable living conditions. It's less ideal for those prioritizing healthcare access or high-income opportunities but ideal for budget shoppers.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax63.2Cost79.3SafetyComing SoonHealth73.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.7Risk54.7WaterComing Soon
🏛63.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡54.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Tama County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Faulkner County
Arkansas
67.4
Median income: $65,071
Randolph County
Georgia
67.4
Median income: $25,425
Talbot County
Georgia
67.4
Median income: $45,098
Fayette County
Illinois
67.4
Median income: $57,113
Hancock County
Illinois
67.4
Median income: $65,044

Deep Dives

Tama County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Tama County

via TaxByCounty

Tama County taxes slightly above national norm

Tama County's effective tax rate of 1.390% runs about 26% higher than the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the upper-middle range nationally. The median property tax of $1,945 is about 28% below the national median of $2,690 due to lower home values.

Above Iowa's average rate

Tama County's 1.390% effective rate slightly exceeds Iowa's state average of 1.344%, making it one of the higher-taxed counties in the state. The median tax bill of $1,945 falls below the state median of $2,160, driven by relatively modest home values.

Tama ranks high in regional tax rates

Tama County's 1.390% rate is among the highest in its region, surpassed only by Story County's 1.472% and Scott County's 1.516%. It notably exceeds Sac, Sioux, and Shelby counties' rates.

What homeowners actually pay here

A homeowner with a $139,900 median-valued home in Tama County pays roughly $1,945 annually in property taxes. That's about $162 per month—higher than some nearby counties with similar home values.

Review your assessment for potential savings

With Tama County's above-average tax rate, confirming your assessment's accuracy is crucial. Many homeowners discover they're overassessed and successfully appeal to lower their annual tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Tama County

via CostByCounty

Tama County rents track above national average

Tama County renters spend 15.3% of income on housing, above the national benchmark of 14.1%, though median rent of $865 remains moderate nationwide. The county reflects typical Midwest rural-to-exurban pricing patterns with moderate affordability pressures.

Above-average costs for rural Iowa

Tama County's 15.3% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Iowa's 14.1% state average, placing it among pricier rural counties statewide. Median rent of $865 runs $53 above Iowa's typical, suggesting modest but real affordability challenges relative to Iowa peers.

Pricier than rural peers, cheaper than urban

Tama County's $865 rent undercuts Scott County's urban pricing ($958) but exceeds affordable rural neighbors like Sac ($643) and Shelby ($810). Home values of $139,900 maintain this intermediate positioning between lowest-cost and highest-cost counties in the region.

Housing cost above typical Iowa share

Earning $67,955, Tama County residents allocate 15.3% to rent or 15.8% to mortgage payments, slightly above state comfort zones. While manageable, this leaves less discretionary income than Iowa's 14.1% benchmark suggests households should expect.

Tama County: modest affordability trade-off

Tama County offers reasonable housing but at slightly above-average Iowa cost—a fair choice if local employment or community ties outweigh the affordability premium. At $865 rent, budget roughly 15% of income for housing; if that fits your relocation calculus, Tama remains viable.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Tama County

via IncomeByCounty

Tama trails national income benchmark

Tama County's median household income of $67,955 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by about 9%. This gap reflects Tama's rural, agriculture-focused economy and limited urban employment centers.

Below Iowa's state average

Tama County's $67,955 median household income falls short of Iowa's state average of $69,830 by roughly $1,875. Among these eight counties, Tama ranks in the lower-middle tier for household earnings.

Similar income to regional peers

Tama County's $67,955 income compares closely to Shelby ($67,690), Taylor ($67,279), and Story ($69,006) but exceeds Union ($56,813). Tama earns noticeably less than Sac ($70,991), Scott ($76,363), and Sioux ($84,736).

Affordable housing stretches paychecks

Tama County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.3% is moderate, and median home values of $139,900 remain accessible. Affordable housing helps families manage living costs despite below-average household incomes.

Build wealth through consistent saving

Tama County families benefit from low housing costs, creating space for disciplined savings and modest investment. Starting with automatic transfers to savings accounts and exploring employer retirement plans can establish lasting financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Tama County

via HealthByCounty

Tama County faces significant health challenges

At 76.7 years, Tama County residents live 2.2 years less than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. With 17.9% reporting poor or fair health—the highest rate among the eight counties—Tama faces notable population health challenges.

Below-average health outcomes statewide

Tama County's 76.7-year life expectancy falls 1.0 year below Iowa's 77.7-year average, placing it in the lower tier of state health rankings. The 17.9% poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds Iowa's typical performance.

Lowest provider access in the region

Tama County's 76.7-year life expectancy is the second-lowest in the region, exceeding only Taylor County (76.0 years). With just 18 primary care providers and 48 mental health providers per 100K—far below neighbors like Story County and Scott County—provider access is severely limited.

Critical shortage of healthcare providers

Tama County has the region's most severe provider shortage: only 18 primary care physicians per 100,000 residents—nearly one-fourth the regional average. At 6.5% uninsured and 48 mental health providers per 100K, residents face both coverage gaps and limited access to behavioral health care.

Critical: check your insurance coverage

Tama County's 6.5% uninsured rate is the highest in the eight-county region, and limited provider access makes coverage especially vital. Visit Healthcare.gov immediately or call 1-800-318-2596 to secure Medicaid or marketplace insurance and ensure access to the few available providers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Tama County

via RiskByCounty

Tama County risk moderately above average

Tama County's composite risk score of 45.32 with a Relatively Low rating exceeds the national average by roughly 14 percent. This reflects moderate, manageable exposure to natural hazards overall.

Tama sits near Iowa's middle risk level

At 45.32, Tama County modestly exceeds Iowa's state average of 39.68, placing it slightly above the middle of the state's risk spectrum. Multiple Iowa counties rank both lower and considerably higher.

Tama occupies the moderate-risk zone

Tama County's 45.32 score falls between safer neighbors like Shelby County (22.77) and higher-risk Story County (68.83). It represents a middle ground in its region's risk profile.

Wildfire and tornado risks are elevated

Wildfire risk (65.49) stands unusually high for central Iowa, while tornado risk (57.41) remains a consistent threat. Flood risk (42.40) and earthquake risk (21.72) contribute to a diversified hazard profile.

Prepare for wind and fire threats

Tama County residents should verify their homeowner's policies cover tornadoes, wind, and hail, and consider defensible space around homes given wildfire exposure. Annual policy reviews ensure coverage keeps pace with home value.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.