Spencer, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Spencer, West Virginia had a total population of 2,291, the 69th largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $37,639, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 16.5% is notably above the national average.
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 | 2,137 | 2,291 | +7.2% |
| Median household income | $25,897 | $37,639 | +45.3% |
| Median home value | $108,700 | $116,800 | +7.5% |
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: 19 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Spencer Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Roane County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reedy | 292 | $31,875 | 23.9% | $77,100 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Craigsville | 2,190 | $39,943 | $83,500 | 26.4% | 6.1% |
| Hinton | 2,086 | $37,610 | $92,900 | 21.8% | 35.0% |
| Wellsburg | 2,203 | $42,868 | $104,500 | 17.3% | 20.3% |
| Petersburg | 2,384 | $42,917 | $124,500 | 14.4% | 19.5% |
| Richwood | 2,403 | $30,833 | $70,000 | 16.9% | 25.9% |
Population Overview
Spencer is a small community located in West Virginia, within Roane County. The total population is 2,291. It ranks as the 69th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Spencer is 43.8 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Spencer is $37,639. This is 37% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 53% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 33.5%. This is 100% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. 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 16.5%. This is 204% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $116,800. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $162,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 56.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Spencer has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.8%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 3.1%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (1.3% vs 0.8%).
Education
16.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 24.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Spencer, West Virginia 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 West Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia. 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, West Virginia?
Spencer, West Virginia has a population of 2,291 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Spencer, WV?
The median household income in Spencer is $37,639, which is 53% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Spencer, WV?
The poverty rate in Spencer is 33.5%. This means approximately 748 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Spencer, West Virginia?
Spencer's population is 96.1% White, 0.1% Black, 1.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Spencer, WV?
The median home value in Spencer is $116,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Spencer, West Virginia?
16.7% of adults (25+) in Spencer hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.