Tama County /ˈtmə/ is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,135.[1] Its county seat is Toledo.[2] The county was formed on February 17, 1843[3] and named for Taimah, a leader of the Meskwaki people.[4]

Tama County
Tama County Courthouse in Toledo
Map of Iowa highlighting Tama County
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Map of the United States highlighting Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°04′43″N 92°31′53″W / 42.078611111111°N 92.531388888889°W / 42.078611111111; -92.531388888889
Country United States
State Iowa
Founded1843
Named forTaimah
SeatToledo
Largest cityTama
Area
 • Total722 sq mi (1,870 km2)
 • Land721 sq mi (1,870 km2)
 • Water1.1 sq mi (3 km2)  0.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total17,135
 • Density24/sq mi (9.2/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.tamacounty.iowa.gov
Taimah, from A.R. Fulton's Red Men of Iowa 1882

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 722 square miles (1,870 km2), of which 721 square miles (1,870 km2) is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km2) (0.1%) is water.[5]

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18508
18605,28565,962.5%
187016,131205.2%
188021,58533.8%
189022,0522.2%
190024,58511.5%
191022,156−9.9%
192021,861−1.3%
193021,9870.6%
194022,4282.0%
195021,688−3.3%
196021,413−1.3%
197020,147−5.9%
198019,533−3.0%
199017,419−10.8%
200018,1033.9%
201017,767−1.9%
202017,135−3.6%
2023 (est.)16,833[6]−1.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2018[11]
 
Population of Tama County from US census data

2020 census

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2022 US Census population pyramid for Tama County from ACS 5-year estimates

The 2020 census recorded a population of 17,135 in the county, with a population density of 23.7323/sq mi (9.16311/km2). 93.80% of the population reported being of one race. There were 7,575 housing units, of which 6,784 were occupied.[1]

Tama County Racial Composition[12]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 13,284 77.52%
Black or African American (NH) 125 0.73%
Native American (NH) 1,258 7.34%
Asian (NH) 80 0.5%
Pacific Islander (NH) 2 0.01%
Other/Mixed (NH) 582 3.4%
Hispanic or Latino 1,804 10.53%

2010 census

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The 2010 census recorded a population of 17,767 in the county, with a population density of 24.5638/sq mi (9.4841/km2). There were 7,766 housing units, of which 6,947 were occupied.[13]

2000 census

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As of the census[14] 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 (9.7 people/km2). There were 7,583 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (3.9/km2). 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

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School districts include:[15]

There is also a Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)-affiliated tribal school, Meskwaki Settlement School.

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.[citation needed][16][17][18][19]

Communities

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Cities

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Meskwaki Settlement water tower

Unincorporated communities

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Townships

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Tama County is divided into twenty-one townships:

Population ranking

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The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Tama County.[1]

county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 Tama City 3,130
2 Toledo City 2,369
3 Traer City 1,583
4 Dysart City 1,281
5 Sac and Fox/Meskwaki Settlement AIAN 1,120
6 Le Grand (mostly in Marshall County) City 905
7 Gladbrook City 799
8 Garwin City 481
9 Chelsea City 229
10 Clutier City 213
11 Montour City 203
12 Elberon City 184
13 Lincoln City 121
14 Vining City 54

Notable people

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Politics

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Between 1888 and 1984, Tama County was a reliable bellwether county, backing the nationwide winner in every presidential election except for 1916 and 1960. For the next seven election cycles, from 1988 to 2012, Tama County backed the Democratic candidate in each election, although George W. Bush came extremely close to winning the county in both 2000 and 2004, losing by slim margins of just 11 and 31 votes respectively. In 2016, Donald Trump moved the county back into the Republican camp, taking nearly 57% of the county's vote and winning it by more than 20%, the best margin in the county for any candidate since Ronald Reagan won the county during his 1980 landslide. Though Trump's margin of victory dropped slightly to just over 19% in 2020, he increased his vote share to almost 59%, the best vote share for a candidate of either party in Tama County since the 1964 landslide victory of Lyndon B. Johnson.

United States presidential election results for Tama County, Iowa[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 5,303 58.61% 3,577 39.53% 168 1.86%
2016 4,971 56.80% 3,196 36.52% 585 6.68%
2012 4,098 45.45% 4,768 52.88% 151 1.67%
2008 3,820 43.15% 4,899 55.34% 133 1.50%
2004 4,456 49.51% 4,487 49.85% 58 0.64%
2000 4,034 48.51% 4,045 48.65% 236 2.84%
1996 2,986 38.52% 3,994 51.52% 772 9.96%
1992 2,948 35.39% 3,573 42.89% 1,809 21.72%
1988 3,362 41.96% 4,584 57.21% 66 0.82%
1984 4,882 54.30% 4,061 45.17% 47 0.52%
1980 4,840 56.27% 3,049 35.45% 713 8.29%
1976 4,379 48.08% 4,580 50.29% 148 1.63%
1972 5,058 56.96% 3,693 41.59% 129 1.45%
1968 4,955 53.55% 3,767 40.71% 531 5.74%
1964 3,543 36.88% 6,057 63.04% 8 0.08%
1960 5,535 52.78% 4,950 47.21% 1 0.01%
1956 5,952 55.25% 4,795 44.51% 26 0.24%
1952 7,061 63.30% 4,076 36.54% 17 0.15%
1948 4,763 47.50% 5,115 51.01% 150 1.50%
1944 5,249 49.67% 5,286 50.02% 32 0.30%
1940 5,865 49.31% 5,996 50.42% 32 0.27%
1936 4,737 41.11% 6,625 57.50% 160 1.39%
1932 4,051 37.10% 6,704 61.39% 165 1.51%
1928 5,589 53.58% 4,798 45.99% 45 0.43%
1924 5,177 55.27% 2,180 23.27% 2,010 21.46%
1920 6,352 70.01% 2,552 28.13% 169 1.86%
1916 3,061 53.37% 2,572 44.85% 102 1.78%
1912 1,179 21.57% 2,446 44.76% 1,840 33.67%
1908 2,774 49.78% 2,550 45.76% 248 4.45%
1904 3,127 55.12% 2,360 41.60% 186 3.28%
1900 3,290 53.45% 2,736 44.45% 129 2.10%
1896 3,054 53.27% 2,596 45.28% 83 1.45%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "City Community Description Congressional district Overview Population District type Geographical location/Climate Closest major city Political structure History Cultural institutions/events Distinguishing features Existing ties with Russia". ccfrussia.ru. Archived from the original on September 19, 2010. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  4. ^ Tama County
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  11. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 19, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  12. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Tama County, Iowa".
  13. ^ "Population and Housing Occupancy Status: 2010 - State – County". United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. Archived from the original on September 29, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2011.[dead link]
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Tama County, IA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022. - Text list - 2010 Map, 2010 Text list
  16. ^ South Tama County | Home of the Trojans! Web. March 26, 2011.<http://www.s-tama.k12.ia.us/>
  17. ^ Meskwaki Settlement School. Web. March 26, 2011.<http://www.msswarriors.org/>
  18. ^ Welcome to North Tama County Community Schools. Web. March 26, 2011.<http://www.n-tama.k12.ia.us/>
  19. ^ New Page 1. Web. March 26, 2011.<http://www.garwin.k12.ia.us/>.
  20. ^ "Michael Emerson". IMDb. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
  21. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
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42°04′43″N 92°31′53″W / 42.07861°N 92.53139°W / 42.07861; -92.53139