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CITY

Spencer

Iowa · 11,218 residents (2025 est.) · 10.948 sq mi
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The short version

Spencer has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $59,667. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $184,800.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
30% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 26%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
11,400
+1%since 2000
from 11,317 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,041 / sq mi
+1%since 2000
from 1,034 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.4
+6%since 2000
from 39.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:11,218 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
11K11K11K11K11K1990201020202024Spencer
202411K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$59,667
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,970 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$37,510
+96%since 2000
from $19,153 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
39.9%
+22.4 ptssince 2009
from 17.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
14.0%
+4.5 ptssince 2000
from 9.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.419
−14%since 2010
from 0.489 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information13.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade11.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade5.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services4.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance3.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Public administration2.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing2.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Professional, scientific, technical2%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services1.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$184,800
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $80,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$805
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $369 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
68.1%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 64.9% in 2000
31.9% rent
Vacancy rate
8.6%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
19.9%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 16.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
36.9%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 32.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.1
+27%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
61
RELATED:See current rent listings in Spencer on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.6%(10,933)
Black0.1%(16)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(162)
Asian1.1%(126)
Other0%
Diversity Score6.6%(750)
2024
White, non-Hispanic90.4%(10,305)
Black0.4%(40)
Hispanic / Latino5.6%(644)
Asian0.9%(103)
Other2.7%(308)
Diversity Score22.4%(2,549)
Diversity Score
22
+237%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
29.8%
+12.7 ptssince 2000
from 17.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.4%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 87.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.0%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 3.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.8 min
+69%since 2000
from 9.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
82.2%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 82.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.3%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.1%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.8%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.1%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.4%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
7.2%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 5.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.5%
Unchangedsince 2011
from 4.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
65.1%
−2.9 ptssince 2011
from 68.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.9%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
40.6%
−20.1 ptssince 2009
from 60.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.2%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 47.8% in 2009
Female
51.8%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 52.2% in 2009
Foreign born
3.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.0%
−39.9 ptssince 2009
from 46.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
14.8%
+1.6 ptssince 2012
from 13.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.7%
−83.5 ptssince 2013
from 90.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
89.1%
+11.9 ptssince 2017
from 77.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.4%
−0.9 ptssince 2016
from 97.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.7%
+0.1 ptssince 2016
from 2.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Spencer

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Head to head

Compare Spencer to nearby cities

SPENCER VS
Storm Lake
Income$62,765+5%
Home value$172,200−7%
Population11,590+3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SPENCER VS
Worthington
Income$61,797+4%
Home value$210,300+14%
Population13,979+25%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SPENCER VS
Fairmont
Income$53,084−11%
Home value$169,900−8%
Population10,099−10%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SPENCER VS
Sioux Center
Income$92,983+56%
Home value$290,800+57%
Population8,864−21%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Spencer, Iowa?

Spencer, Iowa has about 11,400 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Spencer, Iowa?

The typical household in Spencer, Iowa earns about $59,667 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Spencer, Iowa expensive?

In Spencer, Iowa, the median home is worth about $184,800, and the typical rent is about $805 a month.

How educated are people in Spencer, Iowa?

About 29.8% of adults age 25 and over in Spencer, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Spencer, Iowa?

About 14.0% of people in Spencer, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Spencer, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Spencer, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 334 residents, a change of about 3 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

Spencer, Iowa: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy