CensusEasy
CITY · 2020 ACS

Spencer

West Virginia · 2,063 residents · 1.249 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Compare
The short version

Spencer has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $21,139. Population has declined 12% since 2000. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $82,000. With a median age of 44.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 56% less than the West Virginia median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 44.4
US median: 38.8
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,063
−12%since 2000
from 2,352 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,652 / sq mi
−12%since 2000
from 1,883 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
44.4
+8%since 2000
from 41.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K2K2K3K1990201020202024Spencer
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$21,139
−29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $19,773 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,991
+39%since 2000
from $12,976 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
16.3%
+8.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
40.3%
+9.3 ptssince 2000
from 31.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information21.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance8.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical7.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Retail trade5.7%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade5.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing2.2%
US avg: 0.5%
Other services2.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.8%
Transportation & warehousing0.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$82,000
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $48,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$493
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $350 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
50.8%
−7.8 ptssince 2000
from 58.6% in 2000
49.2% rent
Afford Score
3.9
+57%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Spencer on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.9%(2,279)
Black0.1%(3)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(18)
Asian0.7%(16)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.9%(93)
2020
White, non-Hispanic93.3%(1,925)
Black0.3%(7)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(24)
Asian0.6%(12)
Other3.2%(66)
Diversity Score12.9%(266)
Diversity Score
13
+226%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.6%
−2.2 ptssince 2000
from 12.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
72.8%
+12.4 ptssince 2000
from 60.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.7%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.6 min
+22%since 2000
from 17.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
66.8%
−6.9 ptssince 2009
from 73.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
31.7%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 26.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
20.7%
+12.2 ptssince 2011
from 8.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
37.7%
−3.5 ptssince 2011
from 41.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
27.1%
−23.8 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
44.1%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 42.7% in 2009
Female
55.9%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 57.3% in 2009
Foreign born
0.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.9%
−84.5 ptssince 2013
from 89.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Spencer

Cypress Quarters
Pop 1,697
Franklin Park
Pop 1,688
Ocklawaha
Pop 1,586
Moore Haven
Pop 1,745
Places similar to Spencer
Head to head

Compare Spencer to nearby cities

SPENCER VS
Parkersburg
Income$49,025+132%
Home value$121,600+48%
Population28,593+1409%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SPENCER VS
Cross Lanes
Income$63,537+201%
Home value$153,800+88%
Population9,671+410%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SPENCER VS
Charleston
Income$65,812+211%
Home value$203,300+148%
Population46,117+2334%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SPENCER VS
South Charleston
Income$63,884+202%
Home value$155,400+90%
Population13,072+590%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Spencer, West Virginia?

Spencer, West Virginia has about 2,063 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Spencer, West Virginia?

The typical household in Spencer, West Virginia earns about $21,139 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Spencer, West Virginia expensive?

In Spencer, West Virginia, the median home is worth about $82,000, and the typical rent is about $493 a month.

How educated are people in Spencer, West Virginia?

About 10.6% of adults age 25 and over in Spencer, West Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Spencer, West Virginia?

About 40.3% of people in Spencer, West Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Spencer, West Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Spencer, West Virginia has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 200 residents, a change of about -9 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
West Virginia
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare Spencer with another place

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

How we source and harmonize this data →