Spencer, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Spencer, Iowa had a total population of 11,400, the 36th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $59,667, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Spencer Quick Facts
How Spencer Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,393 | 11,400 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $57,068 | $59,667 | +4.6% |
| Median home value | $178,300 | $184,800 | +3.6% |
How Spencer Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Spencer Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Clay County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal | 585 | $56,893 | 12.0% | $87,200 |
| Everly | 584 | $57,656 | 6.3% | $112,000 |
| Peterson | 298 | $73,333 | 4.4% | $93,500 |
| Fostoria | 181 | $81,250 | 0.0% | $161,800 |
| Dickens | 131 | $71,250 | 6.2% | $99,300 |
| Webb | 102 | $55,000 | 2.0% | $65,700 |
| Rossie | 88 | N/A | 8.0% | N/A |
| Greenville | 62 | $44,531 | 0.0% | $90,500 |
| Gillett Grove | 40 | N/A | 2.5% | $61,000 |
Cities Similar to Spencer
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storm Lake | 11,428 | $62,765 | $172,200 | 18.9% | 7.0% |
| Oskaloosa | 11,504 | $64,004 | $153,300 | 25.4% | 16.6% |
| Boone | 12,424 | $69,222 | $173,000 | 24.0% | 8.3% |
| Le Mars | 10,640 | $74,701 | $219,200 | 21.1% | 9.2% |
| Carroll | 10,208 | $69,706 | $188,700 | 27.1% | 8.9% |
Population Overview
Spencer is a small city located in Iowa, within Clay County. The total population is 11,400. It ranks as the 36th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Spencer is 41.4 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 10.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Spencer is $59,667. This is 21% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.0%. This is 27% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 25% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $184,800. Housing costs are 11% lower than the state median of $208,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 68.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Spencer has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.7%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
29.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 5% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Spencer, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Iowa city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Spencer, Iowa?
Spencer, Iowa has a population of 11,400 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Spencer, IA?
The median household income in Spencer is $59,667, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Spencer, IA?
The poverty rate in Spencer is 14.0%. This means approximately 1,557 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Spencer, Iowa?
Spencer's population is 90.4% White, 0.4% Black, 5.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Spencer, IA?
The median home value in Spencer is $184,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Spencer, Iowa?
29.8% of adults (25+) in Spencer hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.