Spencer, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Spencer, Tennessee had a total population of 1,511, the 255th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $46,705, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.5%.
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 | 1,494 | 1,511 | +1.1% |
| Median household income | $46,563 | $46,705 | +0.3% |
| Median home value | $135,000 | $150,800 | +11.7% |
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: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Spencer Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gruetli-Laager | 1,480 | $47,313 | $154,700 | 9.6% | 10.2% |
| Kenton | 1,513 | $41,525 | $111,200 | 5.9% | 24.3% |
| Bruceton | 1,431 | $45,469 | $131,300 | 10.5% | 19.1% |
| Bon Aqua Junction | 1,586 | $43,586 | $187,500 | 8.7% | 12.7% |
| Bradford | 1,385 | $47,361 | $116,000 | 13.5% | 24.0% |
Population Overview
Spencer is a small community located in Tennessee, within Van Buren County. The total population is 1,511. It ranks as the 255th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Spencer is 51.9 years. This is 33% higher than the state median of 38.9 years. Only 14.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.9% 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 $46,705. This is 33% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.8%. This is 36% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 0.5%. This is 90% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $150,800. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 73.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Spencer has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.5%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 15.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
11.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 64% lower than the state rate of 31.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Spencer, Tennessee 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 Tennessee state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Spencer, Tennessee?
Spencer, Tennessee has a population of 1,511 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Spencer, TN?
The median household income in Spencer is $46,705, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Spencer, TN?
The poverty rate in Spencer is 8.8%. This means approximately 126 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Spencer, Tennessee?
Spencer's population is 92.0% White, 0.4% Black, 2.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Spencer, TN?
The median home value in Spencer is $150,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Spencer, Tennessee?
11.3% of adults (25+) in Spencer hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.