Spencer, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Spencer, North Carolina had a total population of 3,349, the 241st largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $65,465, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.2%.
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 | 3,305 | 3,349 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $64,031 | $65,465 | +2.2% |
| Median home value | $149,800 | $201,700 | +34.6% |
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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Spencer Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Rowan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salisbury | 35,825 | $53,716 | 26.3% | $242,500 |
| China Grove | 4,530 | $54,083 | 17.2% | $225,800 |
| Landis | 3,765 | $75,000 | 6.9% | $252,100 |
| Enochville | 3,321 | $66,225 | 18.6% | $265,700 |
| Granite Quarry | 3,043 | $57,981 | 8.3% | $257,300 |
| Rockwell | 2,782 | $69,632 | 7.0% | $237,200 |
| East Spencer | 1,434 | $34,417 | 26.7% | $112,000 |
| Cleveland | 1,080 | $58,750 | 17.2% | $242,600 |
| Faith | 917 | $139,844 | 3.4% | $264,000 |
| Gold Hill | 914 | $73,187 | 12.4% | $279,600 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enochville | 3,321 | $66,225 | $265,700 | 11.2% | 18.6% |
| Lake Park | 3,431 | $66,411 | $334,500 | 41.4% | 8.0% |
| Elroy | 3,251 | $63,238 | $133,100 | 15.8% | 14.0% |
| Lake Junaluska | 3,175 | $66,165 | $389,200 | 54.9% | 9.4% |
| Glen Raven | 3,506 | $63,173 | $224,000 | 17.6% | 16.7% |
Population Overview
Spencer is a small community located in North Carolina, within Rowan County. The total population is 3,349. It ranks as the 241st most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Spencer is 44.2 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 13.4% 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 $65,465. This is 10% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 19% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.2%. This is 14% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.1%. This is 51% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $201,700. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 72.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Spencer is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 41.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (41.0% vs 20.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (5.5%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
25.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Spencer, North Carolina 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 North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Spencer, North Carolina?
Spencer, North Carolina has a population of 3,349 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Spencer, NC?
The median household income in Spencer is $65,465, which is 19% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Spencer, NC?
The poverty rate in Spencer is 11.2%. This means approximately 370 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Spencer, North Carolina?
Spencer's population is 50.7% White, 41.0% Black, 5.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Spencer, NC?
The median home value in Spencer is $201,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Spencer, North Carolina?
25.6% of adults (25+) in Spencer hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.