Tama County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.1 | 16,833 people · 37th most distressed in Iowa
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Tama County, IA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.1 — 2471st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Iowa, it ranks 37th of 99 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Tama County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 45.6 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 45.6
Unemployment Rate 86
Poverty Rate 40
Income vs. State Median 59
Child Poverty Rate 41
Disability Rate 12
Transfer Income Dependency 39
Housing Cost Burden 37.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 23
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 36
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 86
Homeownership Rate 38
Legal Distress 36.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 37
Economic Vitality 35.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 32
Rent-to-Income Ratio 12
Business Formation Rate 72
House Price Change (YoY) 57
Consumer Credit Distress 30.7
Debt in Collections 44
Medical Debt 34
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 35
Uninsured Rate 40
Subprime Credit Population 29

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Tama County
Tama County, IA 35.1 Normal —
Black Hawk County, IA 51.4 Elevated +16.3
Jasper County, IA 42.7 Normal +7.6
Poweshiek County, IA 38.7 Normal +3.6
Marshall County, IA 35.3 Normal +0.2
Iowa County, IA 24.1 Healthy -11.0
Benton County, IA 22.8 Healthy -12.2
Grundy County, IA 16.6 Healthy -18.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Tama County
Marquette County, WI 35.1 Normal +0.1
Wright County, IA 35.0 Healthy -0.1
Mackinac County, MI 35.0 Healthy -0.1
Andrew County, MO 35.2 Normal +0.1
Chippewa County, MN 35.0 Healthy -0.1

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Tama County, Iowa?

    Tama County has a County Distress Index score of 35.1 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,471st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 37th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Tama County?

    The primary driver of distress in Tama County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 45.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Tama County compare to neighboring counties?

    Tama County (35.1) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Black Hawk County, IA (51.4); Jasper County, IA (42.7); Poweshiek County, IA (38.7).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Normal zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Tama County's score of 35.1 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Tama County's CDI score?

    Tama County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Tama County?

    Tama County, Iowa has a population of approximately 16,833 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.