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CITY · 2010 ACS

Spencer

Iowa · 11,233 residents · 10.948 sq mi
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The short version

Spencer has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $41,644. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $103,900.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 41.5
US median: 37.2
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
11,233
−1%since 2000
from 11,317 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,026 / sq mi
−1%since 2000
from 1,034 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
41.5
+6%since 2000
from 39.2 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
11K11K11K11K11K1990201020202024Spencer
202411K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$41,644
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,970 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,364
+38%since 2000
from $19,153 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
20.5%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 17.5% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
13.7%
+4.2 ptssince 2000
from 9.5% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.489
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information20.3%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade13.1%
US avg: 10.9%
Wholesale trade7.2%
US avg: 7.2%
Finance & insurance4.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services3.9%
US avg: 7%
Public administration3.3%
US avg: 4.9%
Arts, entertainment, food3.3%
US avg: 2.4%
Transportation & warehousing3.2%
US avg: 3.1%
Professional, scientific, technical2.8%
US avg: 4.2%
Education & health services2%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.9%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$103,900
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $80,700 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$478
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $369 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
40.7%
−24.3 ptssince 2000
from 64.9% in 2000
34.3% rent
Vacancy rate
6.6%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
20.0%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 16.7% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
40.1%
+7.9 ptssince 2009
from 32.2% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.5
+2%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic94.1%(10,573)
Black0.5%(59)
Hispanic / Latino3.5%(390)
Asian0.7%(77)
Other1.4%(156)
Diversity Score14.5%(1,629)
Diversity Score
14
+119%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.9%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 17.1% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
90.7%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 87.3% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
3.6%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 3.2% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
12.4 min
+33%since 2000
from 9.3 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
77.6%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 82.4% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
9.9%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
4.8%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
6.0%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.7%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
6.1%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 5.3% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
11.5%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
22.7%
−38.0 ptssince 2009
from 60.7% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.8% in 2009
Female
53.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 52.2% in 2009
Foreign born
2.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
12.0%
−34.9 ptssince 2009
from 46.9% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Spencer

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Pop 13,032
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Pop 10,145
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Head to head

Compare Spencer to nearby cities

SPENCER VS
Storm Lake
Income$62,765+51%
Home value$172,200+66%
Population11,590+3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SPENCER VS
Worthington
Income$61,797+48%
Home value$210,300+102%
Population13,979+25%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SPENCER VS
Fairmont
Income$53,084+27%
Home value$169,900+64%
Population10,099−10%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SPENCER VS
Sioux Center
Income$92,983+123%
Home value$290,800+180%
Population8,864−21%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Spencer, Iowa?

Spencer, Iowa has about 11,233 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Spencer, Iowa?

The typical household in Spencer, Iowa earns about $41,644 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 $103,900, and the typical rent is about $478 a month.

How educated are people in Spencer, Iowa?

About 18.9% 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 13.7% 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 167 residents, a change of about 2 percent over that period.

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

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