Tama County, Iowa


Tama County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2010 census, the population was 17,767. Its county seat is Toledo. The county was formed on February 17, 1843 and named for Taimah, a leader of the Meskwaki Indians.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water.

Major highways

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 17,767 in the county, with a population density of. There were 7,766 housing units, of which 6,947 were occupied.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 17,767 people, 7,018 households, and 4,968 families residing in the county. The population density was 25 people per square mile. There were 7,583 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was 90.38% White, 0.25% Black or African American, 6.09% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.90% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. 3.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 7,018 households out of which 31.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 25.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the county, the population was spread out with 26.60% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 18.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,419, and the median income for a family was $43,646. Males had a median income of $30,723 versus $22,597 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,097. About 7.60% of families and 10.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.50% of those under age 18 and 9.40% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Tama County is served by four school districts, the largest of which is South Tama Community School District, at the 3A designation. Second largest is North Tama Community Schools. Lastly both GMG and Meskwaki Settlement School with an eight-man designation.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Tama County is divided into twenty-one townships:
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Tama County.
† county seat
RankCity/Town/etc.Municipal typePopulation
1TamaCity2,877
2† ToledoCity2,341
3TraerCity1,703
4DysartCity1,379
5Sac and Fox/Meskwaki SettlementAIAN1,062
6GladbrookCity945
7Le Grand City938
8GarwinCity527
9ChelseaCity267
10MontourCity249
11ClutierCity213
12ElberonCity196
13LincolnCity162
14ViningCity50

Notable people