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MICROPOLITAN AREA · 2010 ACS

Spencer Micro

Spencer, IA · 1 counties · 16,667 residents · 567.238 sq mi
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The short version

Spencer has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $43,542. Population has declined 4% since 2000. Median home value is $98,500. With a median age of 42.5, the population is older than the US median of 37.2.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 42.5
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
16,667
−4%since 2000
from 17,372 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
29 / sq mi
−4%since 2000
from 31 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
42.5
+8%since 2000
from 39.4 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
16K16K17K17K18K1990201020202024Spencer
202416K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,542
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,799 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,398
+31%since 2000
from $19,451 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
21.9%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 19.0% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
11.1%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 8.2% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.452
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information17.6%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade12.7%
US avg: 10.9%
Wholesale trade7.5%
US avg: 7.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing6%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction6%
US avg: 1.4%
Finance & insurance5.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services4.2%
US avg: 7%
Professional, scientific, technical3.5%
US avg: 4.2%
Public administration3.4%
US avg: 4.9%
Transportation & warehousing3.3%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2.7%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services1.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$98,500
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $75,700 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$482
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $379 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
41.7%
−27.4 ptssince 2000
from 69.1% in 2000
29.4% rent
Vacancy rate
7.3%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
19.9%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 18.0% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
35.9%
+6.7 ptssince 2009
from 29.2% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.3
+7%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Spencer on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.3%(16,902)
Black0.2%(30)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(196)
Asian0.8%(142)
Other0%
Diversity Score5.2%(911)
2010
White, non-Hispanic95.1%(15,843)
Black0.4%(68)
Hispanic / Latino2.9%(477)
Asian0.6%(98)
Other1.3%(220)
Diversity Score12.5%(2,076)
Diversity Score
12
+137%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.5%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 16.3% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
91.3%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 88.0% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
3.6%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 2.9% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.8 min
+42%since 2000
from 10.4 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
77.6%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 81.3% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
9.6%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
6.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 6.0% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
5.2%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.2% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.5%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
5.2%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
11.4%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.2% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
25.7%
−35.8 ptssince 2009
from 61.4% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.7%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
Female
51.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
Foreign born
2.0%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
11.5%
−36.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.6% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
In this metro

Principal cities

SpencerCENTRAL11,218
What's inside

1 component county

Clay CountyCENTRAL16,202
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Spencer

Atchison
Pop 16,172
Baker City
Pop 16,658
Snyder
Pop 16,162
Borger
Pop 19,633
Places similar to Spencer
Head to head

Compare Spencer side by side

SPENCER VS
Atchison
Income$61,112+40%
Home value$145,700+48%
Population16,172same
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SPENCER VS
Baker City
Income$60,936+40%
Home value$285,600+190%
Population16,658+3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SPENCER VS
Snyder
Income$60,039+38%
Home value$113,800+16%
Population16,162same
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SPENCER VS
Borger
Income$67,228+54%
Home value$119,100+21%
Population19,633+21%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Spencer, IA?

Spencer, IA has about 16,667 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Spencer, IA?

The typical household in Spencer, IA earns about $43,542 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Spencer, IA expensive?

In Spencer, IA, the median home is worth about $98,500, and the typical rent is about $482 a month.

How educated are people in Spencer, IA?

About 18.5% of adults age 25 and over in Spencer, IA hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Spencer, IA?

About 11.1% of people in Spencer, IA live below the federal poverty line.

Has Spencer, IA grown since 1990?

Yes, Spencer, IA has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 918 residents, a change of about -5 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

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