Spencer, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Spencer, New York had a total population of 932, the 882nd largest village in New York, with a median household income of $51,765, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
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 | 848 | 932 | +9.9% |
| Median household income | $50,682 | $51,765 | +2.1% |
| Median home value | $139,200 | $154,300 | +10.8% |
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: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Spencer Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Tioga County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waverly | 4,305 | $54,274 | 7.3% | $140,200 |
| Owego | 3,912 | $60,139 | 29.1% | $147,300 |
| Apalachin | 2,553 | $81,337 | 13.6% | $179,900 |
| Tioga Terrace | 2,057 | $131,817 | 0.5% | $233,400 |
| Crest View Heights | 1,852 | $167,083 | 1.0% | $224,300 |
| Newark Valley | 1,051 | $71,369 | 5.7% | $120,200 |
| Candor | 984 | $47,417 | 20.8% | $119,400 |
| Nichols | 601 | $66,250 | 1.3% | $147,000 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Bend | 938 | N/A | $172,600 | 17.3% | 31.3% |
| Ripley | 920 | $52,614 | $112,000 | 28.7% | 6.5% |
| Marathon | 952 | $52,198 | $124,800 | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Tivoli | 945 | $53,177 | $354,300 | 54.9% | 30.0% |
| High Falls | 887 | N/A | $234,000 | 41.9% | 11.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 932, Spencer's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Spencer is a small community located in New York, within Tioga County. The total population is 932. It ranks as the 882nd most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Spencer is 34.4 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 39.8 years. With 28.8% of the population under 18, Spencer has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Spencer is $51,765. This is 40% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 31.0%. This is 122% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 3% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $154,300. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 62.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Spencer has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (95.5% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
28.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 40.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Spencer, New York 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 New York state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,289 Census-designated places in New York. 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 New York city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Spencer, New York?
Spencer, New York has a population of 932 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Spencer, NY?
The median household income in Spencer is $51,765, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Spencer, NY?
The poverty rate in Spencer is 31.0%. This means approximately 289 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Spencer, New York?
Spencer's population is 95.5% White, 1.1% Black, 2.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Spencer, NY?
The median home value in Spencer is $154,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Spencer, New York?
28.2% of adults (25+) in Spencer hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.