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Spencer, Iowa

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Current weather forecast for Spencer, IA

Population in 2019: 10,952 (98% urban, 2% rural).
Population change since 2000: -3.2%
 
Males: 5,208  (47.6%)
Females: 5,744  (52.4%)
Median resident age:

43.8 years
Iowa median age:

38.5 years

Zip codes: 51301.

Estimated median household income in 2019: $47,443 (it was $32,970 in 2000)
Spencer:

$47,443
IA:

$61,691

Estimated per capita income in 2019: $28,879 (it was $19,153 in 2000)

Spencer city income, earnings, and wages data

Estimated median house or condo value in 2019: $138,473 (it was $80,700 in 2000)
Spencer:

$138,473
IA:

$158,900

Mean prices in 2019: all housing units: $150,315; detached houses: $151,804; townhouses or other attached units: $235,398; in 5-or-more-unit structures: $122,964; mobile homes: $40,341

Median gross rent in 2019: $700.

March 2019 cost of living index in Spencer: 77.3 (low, U.S. average is 100)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2019: 12.1%
(12.0% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 22.6% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 16.2% for two or more races residents)

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  • Races in Spencer, IA (2019)
    • 10,27091.9%White alone
    • 3423.1%Hispanic
    • 2762.5%Two or more races
    • 1010.9%Asian alone
    • 410.4%Black alone
    • 320.3%Other race alone

Races in Spencer detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth



According to our research of Iowa and other state lists, there were 15 registered sex offenders living in Spencer, Iowa as of March 27, 2023.
The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Spencer is 752 to 1.
The ratio of registered sex offenders to all residents in this city is lower than the state average.


Crime rates in Spencer by year

Type

2006

2007

2008

2009

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2019
Murders
(per 100,000)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		2
(17.7)		1
(8.9)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)
Rapes
(per 100,000)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		17
(152.0)		16
(143.7)		13
(116.0)		9
(80.3)		14
(125.8)		6
(54.5)
Robberies
(per 100,000)		0
(0.0)		1
(9.1)		0
(0.0)		2
(18.3)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		1
(8.9)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		1
(9.1)
Assaults
(per 100,000)		1
(8.9)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		1
(8.9)		1
(8.9)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		1
(9.0)		0
(0.0)
Burglaries
(per 100,000)		72
(644.2)		64
(581.0)		135
(1,233)		91
(831.1)		109
(965.3)		94
(837.5)		78
(697.3)		90
(808.0)		69
(615.8)		49
(437.1)		42
(377.5)		42
(381.5)
Thefts
(per 100,000)		258
(2,309)		295
(2,678)		247
(2,255)		202
(1,845)		147
(1,302)		147
(1,310)		164
(1,466)		163
(1,463)		178
(1,589)		177
(1,579)		175
(1,573)		135
(1,226)
Auto thefts
(per 100,000)		15
(134.2)		10
(90.8)		2
(18.3)		1
(9.1)		15
(132.8)		11
(98.0)		4
(35.8)		7
(62.8)		6
(53.5)		4
(35.7)		13
(116.9)		6
(54.5)
Arson
(per 100,000)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		2
(18.3)		2
(18.3)		1
(8.9)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		1
(9.0)		1
(8.9)		1
(8.9)		2
(18.0)		0
(0.0)
City-Data.com crime index150.0157.8178.0138.2165.7138.5236.4235.1203.7160.8201.2126.5

The City-Data.com crime index weighs serious crimes and violent crimes more heavily. Higher means more crime, U.S. average is 270.6. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities.

Click on a table row to update graph
City-data.com crime index in Spencer, IA

Crime rate in Spencer detailed stats: murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, arson

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2019, including police officers: 29 (20 officers).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.82
Iowa average:

1.70
Recent articles from our blog. Our writers, many of them Ph.D. graduates or candidates, create easy-to-read articles on a wide variety of topics.
Spencer, IA forum
Recent posts about Spencer, Iowa on our local forum with over 2,200,000 registered users. Spencer is mentioned 120 times on our forum:
Rental housing in Spencer - very anti-pet  (3 replies)
At 16.7% , Des Moines is the Midwest's major metro growth leader  (12 replies)
Thoughts on Spencer...?  (45 replies)
Summer Home in Iowa  (29 replies)
Open letter from Patrick Kearney of the Johnston Community School District goes viral/national  (52 replies)
Dream town in Iowa  (34 replies)

Latest news from Spencer, IA collected exclusively by city-data.com from local newspapers, TV, and radio stations

Ancestries: German (38.4%), American (12.2%), Norwegian (7.1%), Irish (5.2%), English (4.6%), Danish (4.5%).

Current Local Time: CST time zone

Incorporated on 07/13/1892

Elevation: 1321 feet

Land area: 10.1 square miles.

Population density: 1,082 people per square mile   (low).

Spencer, Iowa map

226 residents are foreign born (0.9% Asia, 0.8% Latin America).

This city:

2.0%
Iowa:

5.3%

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2019: $1,824 (1.3%)
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2019: $1,984 (1.5%)

Nearest city with pop. 50,000+: Sioux City, IA (77.6 miles , pop. 85,013).

Nearest city with pop. 200,000+: Omaha, NE (137.7 miles , pop. 390,007).

Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Chicago, IL (391.3 miles , pop. 2,896,016).

Nearest cities:

Dickens, IA (2.5 miles ),
Fostoria, IA (2.6 miles ),
Greenville, IA (3.0 miles),
Royal, IA (3.0 miles ),
Everly, IA (3.0 miles ),
Rossie, IA (3.1 miles),
Gillett Grove, IA (3.3 miles),
Ruthven, IA (3.5 miles )

Latitude: 43.15 N, Longitude: 95.15 W

Daytime population change due to commuting: +1,920 (+17.3%)
Workers who live and work in this city: 3,940 (78.6%)

Area code: 712

Distribution of median household income in Spencer, IA in 2019
Distribution of house value in Spencer, IA in 2019
Spencer satellite photo by USGS

Single-family new house construction building permits:

  • 1997: 18 buildings, average cost: $119,800
  • 1998: 29 buildings, average cost: $123,700
  • 1999: 27 buildings, average cost: $125,500
  • 2000: 32 buildings, average cost: $109,900
  • 2001: 31 buildings, average cost: $125,700
  • 2002: 30 buildings, average cost: $106,600
  • 2003: 22 buildings, average cost: $147,400
  • 2004: 32 buildings, average cost: $180,600
  • 2005: 26 buildings, average cost: $147,600
  • 2006: 24 buildings, average cost: $163,800
  • 2007: 15 buildings, average cost: $183,100
  • 2008: 11 buildings, average cost: $230,200
  • 2009: 13 buildings, average cost: $203,500
  • 2010: 9 buildings, average cost: $232,900
  • 2011: 4 buildings, average cost: $203,800
  • 2012: 30 buildings, average cost: $140,400
  • 2013: 40 buildings, average cost: $136,700
  • 2014: 8 buildings, average cost: $258,800
  • 2015: 35 buildings, average cost: $183,200
  • 2016: 8 buildings, average cost: $233,800
  • 2017: 30 buildings, average cost: $179,100
  • 2018: 11 buildings, average cost: $259,500
  • 2019: 4 buildings, average cost: $312,500
Number of permits per 10,000 Spencer, IA residents
Average permit cost in Spencer, IA
Unemployment in November 2020:
Here:

2.6%
Iowa:

3.1%
Historical population in Spencer, IA
Historical housing units in Spencer, IA

Population change in the 1990s: +66 (+0.6%).
Most common industries in Spencer, IA (%)
Both Males Females
Most common industries in 2000
  • Health care (9.7%)
  • Accommodation & food services (6.4%)
  • Educational services (6.0%)
  • Construction (6.0%)
  • Department & other general merchandise stores (5.4%)
  • Finance & insurance (3.4%)
  • Professional, scientific, technical services (3.3%)
Most common industries for males in 2000
  • Construction (11.2%)
  • Metal & metal products (4.8%)
  • Food (4.5%)
  • Accommodation & food services (4.3%)
  • Educational services (4.1%)
  • Repair & maintenance (3.5%)
  • Department & other general merchandise stores (3.4%)
Most common industries for females in 2000
  • Health care (17.7%)
  • Accommodation & food services (8.8%)
  • Educational services (8.1%)
  • Department & other general merchandise stores (7.6%)
  • Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, similar organizations (4.4%)
  • Professional, scientific, technical services (4.0%)
  • Social assistance (3.8%)
Most common occupations in Spencer, IA (%)
Both Males Females
Most common occupations in 2000
  • Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (5.6%)
  • Other production occupations, including supervisors (5.5%)
  • Metal workers and plastic workers (5.2%)
  • Retail sales workers, except cashiers (3.9%)
  • Laborers and material movers, hand (3.7%)
  • Material recording, scheduling, dispatching, and distributing workers (3.5%)
  • Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (3.3%)
Most common occupations for males in 2000
  • Metal workers and plastic workers (8.4%)
  • Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (7.0%)
  • Other production occupations, including supervisors (6.7%)
  • Laborers and material movers, hand (6.3%)
  • Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (5.5%)
  • Sales representatives, services, wholesale and manufacturing (4.9%)
  • Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including supervisors (4.7%)
Most common occupations for females in 2000
  • Retail sales workers, except cashiers (5.9%)
  • Secretaries and administrative assistants (5.8%)
  • Information and record clerks, except customer service representatives (4.3%)
  • Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (4.0%)
  • Other production occupations, including supervisors (4.0%)
  • Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (4.0%)
  • Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks (3.6%)

Average climate in Spencer, Iowa

Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

Spencer, Iowa average temperatures Spencer, Iowa average precipitation Spencer, Iowa humidity Spencer, Iowa wind speed Spencer, Iowa snowfall Spencer, Iowa sunshine Spencer, Iowa clear and cloudy days

Spencer, Iowa environmental map by EPA

Map Legend

Air pollution and air quality trends
(lower is better)
AQI Ozone PM10 PM2.5
Air Quality Index

Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2018 was 70.9. This is about average.

City:

70.9
U.S.:

74.2
Ozone Level

Ozone [ppb] level in 2018 was 32.3. This is about average. Closest monitor was 22.9 miles away from the city center.

City:

32.3
U.S.:

33.3
Particulate Matter Level

Particulate Matter (PM10) [µg/m3] level in 2005 was 19.2. This is about average. Closest monitor was 22.9 miles away from the city center.

City:

19.2
U.S.:

19.6
Particulate Matter Level

Particulate Matter (PM2.5) [µg/m3] level in 2018 was 8.56. This is about average. Closest monitor was 22.9 miles away from the city center.

City:

8.56
U.S.:

8.46

Tornado activity:

Spencer-area historical tornado activity is near Iowa state average. It is 73% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 6/23/1952, a category F4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado 21.9 miles away from the Spencer city center injured 4 people and caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages.

On 9/20/1980, a category F3 (max. wind speeds 158-206 mph) tornado 0.4 miles away from the city center caused between $5000 and $50,000 in damages.

Earthquake activity:

Spencer-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Iowa state average. It is 167% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 7/9/1975 at 14:54:15, a magnitude 4.6 (4.6 MB, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 180.1 miles away from the city center
On 3/4/1983 at 06:32:18, a magnitude 4.6 (4.4 MB, 4.6 LG, 4.4 ML) earthquake occurred 225.6 miles away from Spencer center
On 11/3/2002 at 20:41:56, a magnitude 4.3 (4.3 MB, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 191.5 miles away from Spencer center
On 6/5/1993 at 01:24:53, a magnitude 4.1 (4.1 LG, Depth: 6.2 mi) earthquake occurred 183.8 miles away from Spencer center
On 9/3/2016 at 12:02:44, a magnitude 5.8 (5.8 MW, Depth: 3.5 mi, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 474.3 miles away from the city center
On 10/25/1990 at 06:25:25, a magnitude 3.9 (3.6 MB, 3.9 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 172.8 miles away from Spencer center
Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), local magnitude (ML), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters:

The number of natural disasters in Clay County (16) is near the US average (15).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 12
Emergencies Declared: 2

Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 10, Storms: 6, Tornadoes: 4, Winds: 2, Winter Storms: 2, Heavy Rain: 1, Hurricane: 1, Ice Storm: 1, Snow: 1, Snowstorm: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Spencer topographic map

Hospitals and medical centers in Spencer:

  • HOSPICE OF NORTHWEST IOWA (1200 FIRST AVENUE EAST)
  • SPENCER MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL (Government - Local, 1200 1ST AVENUE EAST)
  • LONGHOUSE-NORTHSHIRE, LTD (711 WEST 11TH STREET)
  • ST LUKE LUTHERAN HOME (1301 SAINT LUKE DRIVE)
  • MILTON AND ETHEL WARNER DIALYSIS UNIT - SPENCER (1200 FIRST AVE EAST)
  • COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES (1200 1ST AVE EAST)

Airports and heliports located in Spencer:

See details about Airports and heliports located in Spencer, IA

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Spencer:

  • Iowa Lakes Community College (about 24 miles; Estherville, IA; Full-time enrollment: 2,311)
  • Buena Vista University (about 35 miles; Storm Lake, IA; FT enrollment: 2,522)
  • Iowa Central Community College (about 67 miles; Fort Dodge, IA; FT enrollment: 4,682)
  • Western Iowa Tech Community College (about 77 miles; Sioux City, IA; FT enrollment: 3,544)
  • Southeast Technical Institute (about 88 miles; Sioux Falls, SD; FT enrollment: 2,386)
  • South Central College (about 90 miles; North Mankato, MN; FT enrollment: 2,726)
  • Minnesota State University-Mankato (about 91 miles; Mankato, MN; FT enrollment: 13,940)

Public high school in Spencer:

Public elementary/middle schools in Spencer:

  • JOHNSON ELEMENTARY (Students: 374, Location: 724 WEST 9TH STREET, Grades: PK-1)
  • SPENCER MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 324, Location: 1400 10TH AVENUE EAST, Grades: 6-8)
  • FAIRVIEW PARK ELEMENTARY (Students: 317, Location: 1508 5TH AVE. EAST, Grades: 2-3)
  • LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Location: 615 4TH AVE. SW, Grades: 4-5)

Private elementary/middle schools in Spencer:

See full list of schools located in Spencer

Library in Spencer:

  • SPENCER PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $474,218; Location: 21 E 3RD ST; 48,693 books; 2,164 audio materials; 1,319 video materials; 1 local licensed databases; 13 state licensed databases; 162 print serial subscriptions)

User-submitted facts and corrections:

  • Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School is now up and running as a private school with a religious background.

Points of interest:

Click to draw/clear city borders

Notable locations in Spencer: Spencer Country Club (A), Clay County Fairground (B), Spencer Municipal Golf Course (C), Spencer (D), Spencer Campground (E), Farmers Co-op Elevator Company Elevator (F), Clay County Jail (G), Spencer Police Department (H), Clay County Sheriffs Office (I), Clay County Law Library (J), Parker Historical Museum (K), Spencer Fire Department (L), Spencer Public Library (M), Clay County Courthouse (N). Display/hide their locations on the map

Shopping Centers: Southpark Mall (1), Gateway North Shopping Center (2). Display/hide their locations on the map

Churches in Spencer include: Sacred Heart Catholic Church (A), First Congregational Church (B), First Baptist Church (C), Hope Reformed Church (D), Grace United Methodist Church (E), Christ the King Lutheran Church (F), Seventh Day Adventist Church (G), Harvest Evangelical Free Church (H), Church of Christ (I). Display/hide their locations on the map

Cemeteries: Riverside Cemetery (1), Northlawn Memorial Cemetery (2). Display/hide their locations on the map

Lake: Petes Pond (A). Display/hide its location on the map

River: Ocheyedan River (A). Display/hide its location on the map

Parks in Spencer include: Fairview Park (1), Waterway Park (2), North School Park (3), Sunset Park (4), Stolley Gravel Pit Park (5), Miracle on Fourth Street Playground (6), West Leach Park (7), East Leach Park (8), Westview Park (9). Display/hide their locations on the map

Tourist attractions: Dial-A-Story (Cultural Attractions- Events- & Facilities; 21 East 3rd Street), Clay County Fair Association Inc (Tours & Charters; 1401 4th Avenue West).

Hotels: Americinn Motel & Suites (1005 13th Street Southwest), Days Inn Spencer (102 11th Street Southwest), Super 8 Spencer IA (209 11th Street Southwest), Budget Inn Motel (1004 South Grand Avenue), Hotel (605 Grand Avenue), Super 8 Motel (209 11th Street Southwest).

Courts: Clay County - County Clerk Of Court (215 West 4th Street), Clay County - Magistrate Court (215 West 4th Street).

Birthplace of: Richard L. Tierney - Poet, Robert Suderburg - Composer, Brian Haak - College basketball player (Northern Iowa Panthers), Donald Floyd Gleason - Pathologist, Lynn Wardlow - Politician.

Clay County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Highest Potential

Drinking water stations with addresses in Spencer and their reported violations in the past:

DOLLIVER MUNI WATER SUPPLY (Population served: 68, Groundwater):
Past health violations:
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In JAN-2014, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Violation/Reminder Notice (JAN-22-2014), St Public Notif requested (JAN-23-2014), St Formal NOV issued (JAN-23-2014), St Public Notif received (FEB-11-2014), St Compliance achieved (FEB-26-2014)
Past monitoring violations:
  • One regular monitoring violation
SPENCER LIVESTOCK SALES INC (Population served: 62, Groundwater):
Past monitoring violations:
  • 4 routine major monitoring violations
  • One regular monitoring violation
GILLETT GROVE WATER SUPPLY (Population served: 49, Groundwater):
Past health violations:
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In NOV-2010, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Violation/Reminder Notice (NOV-17-2010), St Public Notif requested (NOV-19-2010), St Formal NOV issued (NOV-19-2010), St Public Notif received (DEC-02-2010), St Compliance achieved (DEC-20-2010)
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In SEP-2007, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (SEP-14-2007), St Formal NOV issued (SEP-14-2007), St Violation/Reminder Notice (SEP-14-2007), St Public Notif received (SEP-24-2007), St Compliance achieved (MAR-19-2008)
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In AUG-2007, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Violation/Reminder Notice (AUG-24-2007), St Public Notif requested (AUG-27-2007), St Formal NOV issued (AUG-27-2007), St Public Notif received (AUG-29-2007), St Compliance achieved (MAR-19-2008)
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In SEP-2006, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (SEP-14-2006), St Formal NOV issued (SEP-14-2006), St Violation/Reminder Notice (SEP-14-2006), St Public Notif received (SEP-21-2006), St Compliance achieved (MAR-19-2007)

Drinking water stations with addresses in Spencer that have no violations reported:

  • IOWA LAKES REGIONAL WATER (Population served: 5,587, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)
  • IOWA LAKES REGIONAL WATER (Population served: 5,587, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)
  • IOWA LAKES REGIONAL WATER - LAKES AREA (Population served: 4,495, Primary Water Source Type: Purch surface water)
  • FOSTORIA MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLY (Population served: 231, Primary Water Source Type: Purch groundwater)
  • DICKENS WATER WORKS (Population served: 185, Primary Water Source Type: Purch groundwater)
  • IOWA LAKES REGIONAL WATER - GRUVER (Population served: 129, Primary Water Source Type: Purch groundwater)
Average household size:
This city:

2.2 people
Iowa:

2.4 people

Percentage of family households:
This city:

60.0%
Whole state:

64.7%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners:
This city:

6.5%
Whole state:

6.7%


Likely homosexual households (counted as self-reported same-sex unmarried-partner households)
  • Lesbian couples: 0.2% of all households
  • Gay men: 0.1% of all households

People in group quarters in Spencer in 2010:

  • 196 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
  • 19 people in college/university student housing
  • 12 people in local jails and other municipal confinement facilities
  • 7 people in group homes intended for adults

People in group quarters in Spencer in 2000:

  • 240 people in nursing homes
  • 31 people in mental (psychiatric) hospitals or wards
  • 12 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
  • 7 people in job corps and vocational training facilities
  • 2 people in other noninstitutional group quarters

Banks with branches in Spencer (2011 data):

  • U.S. Bank National Association: Spencer Branch at 126 Grand Avenue, branch established on 1927/09/01; Clay County Fair Branch at 1404 4th Avenue West, branch established on 2000/09/09. Info updated 2012/01/30: Bank assets: $330,470.8 mil, Deposits: $236,091.5 mil, headquarters in Cincinnati, OH, positive income, 3121 total offices, Holding Company: U.S. Bancorp
  • Northwest Bank: at 101 West 5th Street, branch established on 1988/12/30. Info updated 2012/03/07: Bank assets: $863.8 mil, Deposits: $728.0 mil, local headquarters, positive income, Commercial Lending Specialization, 15 total offices, Holding Company: Northwest Financial Corp.
  • Farmers Trust and Savings Bank: Farmers Trust And Savings Bank at 125 West 4th Street, branch established on 1916/04/07. Info updated 2006/11/03: Bank assets: $307.8 mil, Deposits: $259.4 mil, local headquarters, positive income, Agricultural Specialization, 1 total offices, Holding Company: Easter Enterprises, Inc.
  • State Bank: at 728 Grand Avenue, branch established on 1944/05/01. Info updated 2006/11/03: Bank assets: $63.6 mil, Deposits: $58.4 mil, local headquarters, positive income, Agricultural Specialization, 3 total offices, Holding Company: Everly Bancorporation
  • Bank of America, National Association: Spencer Branch at 705 North Grand Avenue, branch established on 1927/01/01. Info updated 2009/11/18: Bank assets: $1,451,969.3 mil, Deposits: $1,077,176.8 mil, headquarters in Charlotte, NC, positive income, 5782 total offices, Holding Company: Bank Of America Corporation
  • Community State Bank: at 1812 Highway Boulevard, branch established on 1914/01/01. Info updated 2006/11/03: Bank assets: $138.0 mil, Deposits: $116.5 mil, local headquarters, positive income, Agricultural Specialization, 4 total offices, Holding Company: Community State Bancorporation

For population 15 years and over in Spencer:

Marital status in Spencer, IA
  • Never married: 23.1%
  • Now married: 53.6%
  • Separated: 1.6%
  • Widowed: 9.7%
  • Divorced: 12.1%

For population 25 years and over in Spencer:

  • High school or higher: 95.3%
  • Bachelor's degree or higher: 22.3%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 6.1%
  • Unemployed: 4.3%
  • Mean travel time to work (commute): 14.8 minutes
Educational Attainment in 2019
School Enrollment by Level of School in 2019
Education Gini index (Inequality in education)
Here:

8.2
Iowa average:

10.3

Travel time (in minutes) to work in 2019
Means of transportation to work in 2019 - Spencer
Presidential Elections Results

Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results

Religion statistics for Spencer, IA (based on Clay County data)

Religions Adherents in 2010
Religions Adherents - Change between 2000 and 2010
ReligionAdherentsCongregations
Mainline Protestant5,97619
Evangelical Protestant3,07913
Catholic2,4852
Other3302
None4,797-
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 3
This county:

1.80 / 10,000 pop.
Iowa:

2.14 / 10,000 pop.
Number of supercenters and club stores: 1
Clay County:

0.60 / 10,000 pop.
Iowa:

0.23 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 9
This county:

5.39 / 10,000 pop.
State:

5.55 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 14
This county:

8.39 / 10,000 pop.
State:

8.01 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Clay County:

8.3%
State:

7.8%
Adult obesity rate:
Clay County:

28.5%
State:

27.3%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Here:

15.7%
State:

14.5%

Health and Nutrition:

Healthy diet rate:
Spencer:

50.0%
Iowa:

49.5%

Average overall health of teeth and gums:
Spencer:

47.1%
Iowa:

46.1%

Average BMI:
This city:

28.6
Iowa:

28.6

People feeling badly about themselves:
This city:

19.5%
Iowa:

21.4%

People not drinking alcohol at all:
This city:

9.3%
State:

10.4%

Average hours sleeping at night:
Here:

6.8
Iowa:

6.8

Overweight people:
Spencer:

35.6%
Iowa:

33.8%

General health condition:
This city:

56.5%
Iowa:

55.9%

Average condition of hearing:
Here:

77.5%
Iowa:

77.7%

More about Health and Nutrition of Spencer, IA Residents
Local government employment and payroll (March 2019)
Function Full-time employees Monthly full-time payroll Average yearly full-time wage Part-time employees Monthly part-time payroll
Hospitals 404$1,898,400$56,38890$187,211
Electric Power 28$159,378$68,3050$0
Other and Unallocable 20$115,993$69,5962$904
Police Protection - Officers 19$100,319$63,3590$0
Streets and Highways 12$62,691$62,6910$0
Solid Waste Management 10$51,215$61,4583$7,685
Local Libraries 8$29,875$44,8134$4,964
Police - Other 8$30,881$46,3220$0
Other Government Administration 7$43,555$74,6660$0
Water Supply 5$28,394$68,1460$0
Firefighters 5$26,998$64,79528$10,064
Financial Administration 3$15,349$61,3960$0
Parks and Recreation 3$18,765$75,0604$2,857
Totals for Government 532$2,581,813$58,236131$213,685

Spencer government finances - Expenditure in 2018 (per resident):

  • Construction - Water Utilities: $3,838,000 ($350.44)
    Electric Utilities: $1,794,000 ($163.81)
    Miscellaneous Commercial Activities - Other: $1,346,000 ($122.90)
    Hospitals: $461,000 ($42.09)
    Sewerage: $456,000 ($41.64)
  • Current Operations - Hospitals: $82,933,000 ($7572.41)
    Electric Utilities: $11,538,000 ($1053.51)
    General - Other: $6,070,000 ($554.24)
    Miscellaneous Commercial Activities - Other: $5,846,000 ($533.78)
    Police Protection: $1,882,000 ($171.84)
    Solid Waste Management: $1,792,000 ($163.62)
    Water Utilities: $1,697,000 ($154.95)
    Regular Highways: $1,110,000 ($101.35)
    Sewerage: $1,070,000 ($97.70)
    Parks and Recreation: $745,000 ($68.02)
    Libraries: $661,000 ($60.35)
    Financial Administration: $622,000 ($56.79)
    Local Fire Protection: $588,000 ($53.69)
    Natural Resources - Other: $360,000 ($32.87)
    Protective Inspection and Regulation - Other: $197,000 ($17.99)
    Air Transportation: $124,000 ($11.32)
    General Public Buildings: $91,000 ($8.31)
    Central Staff Services: $51,000 ($4.66)
    Judicial and Legal Services: $48,000 ($4.38)
  • Electric Utilities - Interest on Debt: $128,000 ($11.69)
  • General - Interest on Debt: $508,000 ($46.38)
  • Intergovernmental to Local - Other - Correctional Institutions: $19,000 ($1.73)
  • Other Capital Outlay - Hospitals: $2,743,000 ($250.46)
    Electric Utilities: $100,000 ($9.13)
    Miscellaneous Commercial Activities - Other: $85,000 ($7.76)
    Solid Waste Management: $70,000 ($6.39)
    Water Utilities: $47,000 ($4.29)
    General - Other: $4,000 ($0.37)
  • Total Salaries and Wages: $32,002,000 ($2922.02)
  • Water Utilities - Interest on Debt: $351,000 ($32.05)

Spencer government finances - Revenue in 2018 (per resident):

  • Charges - Hospital Public: $92,266,000 ($8424.58)
    Miscellaneous Commercial Activities: $6,396,000 ($584.00)
    Solid Waste Management: $4,005,000 ($365.69)
    Sewerage: $2,805,000 ($256.12)
    Other: $2,376,000 ($216.95)
    Parks and Recreation: $427,000 ($38.99)
    Air Transportation: $114,000 ($10.41)
  • Federal Intergovernmental - Housing and Community Development: $465,000 ($42.46)
    Other: $129,000 ($11.78)
    General Local Government Support: $59,000 ($5.39)
  • Local Intergovernmental - Other: $340,000 ($31.04)
    Health and Hospitals: $220,000 ($20.09)
  • Miscellaneous - General Revenue - Other: $2,575,000 ($235.12)
    Interest Earnings: $1,081,000 ($98.70)
    Donations From Private Sources: $507,000 ($46.29)
    Sale of Property: $350,000 ($31.96)
    Special Assessments: $334,000 ($30.50)
    Rents: $120,000 ($10.96)
    Fines and Forfeits: $55,000 ($5.02)
  • Revenue - Electric Utilities: $15,030,000 ($1372.35)
    Water Utilities: $3,155,000 ($288.08)
  • State Intergovernmental - Highways: $1,522,000 ($138.97)
    Other: $944,000 ($86.19)
    General Local Government Support: $247,000 ($22.55)
    Health and Hospitals: $13,000 ($1.19)
  • Tax - Property: $7,090,000 ($647.37)
    General Sales and Gross Receipts: $1,922,000 ($175.49)
    Other Selective Sales: $311,000 ($28.40)
    Public Utilities Sales: $223,000 ($20.36)
    Other License: $81,000 ($7.40)

Spencer government finances - Debt in 2018 (per resident):

  • Long Term Debt - Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $45,122,000 ($4119.98)
    Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $44,591,000 ($4071.49)
    Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $6,330,000 ($577.98)
    Issue, Unspecified Public Purpose: $5,800,000 ($529.58)

Spencer government finances - Cash and Securities in 2018 (per resident):

  • Other Funds - Cash and Securities: $98,138,000 ($8960.74)
  • Sinking Funds - Cash and Securities: $4,193,000 ($382.85)

5.72% of this county's 2016 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2015 ($45,818 average adjusted gross income)

Here:

5.72%
Iowa average:

5.97%

10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries between 2015 and 2016.

Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2015 and 2016:
from Dickinson County, IA  0.85% ($49,983 average AGI)
from Palo Alto County, IA  0.46% ($48,844)
from Buena Vista County, IA  0.40% ($27,571)


6.29% of this county's 2015 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2016 ($48,171 average adjusted gross income)

Here:

6.29%
Iowa average:

6.23%

10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries between 2015 and 2016.

Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2015 and 2016:
to Dickinson County, IA  1.03% ($70,736 average AGI)
to Palo Alto County, IA  0.34% ($39,625)
to O'Brien County, IA  0.32% ($37,909)
Businesses in Spencer, IA
NameCountNameCount
AmericInn1McDonald's1
Arby's1Menards1
Burger King1New Balance2
Chevrolet1Nike1
Curves1Pizza Hut1
Dairy Queen2Quiznos1
Days Inn1RadioShack1
Econo Lodge1SAS Shoes1
FedEx2Sears1
Ford1Slumberland1
GNC1Staples1
Goodwill3Subway3
H&R Block1Super 81
Hardee's1Taco Bell1
JCPenney1U-Haul1
Jones New York1U.S. Cellular1
KFC1UPS6
La-Z-Boy2Vans1
Lane Furniture1Walgreens1
MasterBrand Cabinets1Walmart1
Maurices1YMCA1

Strongest AM radio stations in Spencer:

  • KICD (1240 AM; 1 kW; SPENCER, IA; Owner: SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF IOWA, LLC)
  • KKOJ (1190 AM; 5 kW; JACKSON, MN; Owner: KLEVEN BROADCASTING CO. OF MINN.)
  • WHO (1040 AM; 50 kW; DES MOINES, IA; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)
  • KFAN (1130 AM; 50 kW; MINNEAPOLIS, MN; Owner: AMFM RADIO LICENSES, L.L.C.)
  • KOIL (1020 AM; 50 kW; PLATTSMOUTH, NE; Owner: WAITT RADIO, INC.)
  • WCCO (830 AM; 50 kW; MINNEAPOLIS, MN; Owner: INFINITY MEDIA CORPORATION)
  • KFAB (1110 AM; 50 kW; OMAHA, NE; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)
  • KWMT (540 AM; 5 kW; FORT DODGE, IA; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
  • KKAR (1290 AM; 50 kW; OMAHA, NE; Owner: WAITT RADIO, INC.)
  • WCTS (1030 AM; 50 kW; MAPLEWOOD, MN; Owner: CNTL. BAPT. THEO/AL SEMI MINNEAPOLIS)
  • KLGA (1600 AM; 5 kW; ALGONA, IA; Owner: WMMP, LLC)
  • KXRB (1000 AM; 10 kW; SIOUX FALLS, SD)
  • KSOO (1140 AM; 10 kW; SIOUX FALLS, SD; Owner: SOUTHERN MINNESOTA BROADCASTING CO.)

Strongest FM radio stations in Spencer:

  • K220HY (91.9 FM; SPENCER, IA; Owner: REFUGE MEDIA GROUP)
  • KICD-FM (107.7 FM; SPENCER, IA; Owner: SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF IOWA, LLC)
  • KLLT (104.9 FM; SPENCER, IA; Owner: SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF IOWA, LLC)
  • KOJI (90.7 FM; OKOBOJI, IA; Owner: WESTERN IOWA TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE)
  • KUOO (103.9 FM; SPIRIT LAKE, IA; Owner: WMMP, LLC)
  • KTFG (102.9 FM; SIOUX RAPIDS, IA; Owner: DONALD A. SWANSON)
  • KDWD (100.1 FM; EMMETSBURG, IA; Owner: JIM DANDY BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • KUQQ (102.1 FM; MILFORD, IA; Owner: WMMP, LLC)
  • KJIA (88.9 FM; SPIRIT LAKE, IA; Owner: MINN-IOWA CHRISTIAN BROADCASTING INC)
  • KTPR (91.1 FM; FORT DODGE, IA; Owner: IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY)
  • KILR-FM (95.9 FM; ESTHERVILLE, IA; Owner: JACOBSON BROADCASTING COMPANY, INC.)
  • K210CG (89.9 FM; SPIRIT LAKE, IA; Owner: REFUGE MEDIA GROUP)
  • K249DL (97.7 FM; SPIRIT LAKE, IA; Owner: LAKES AREA CHRISTIAN RADIO)

TV broadcast stations around Spencer:

  • K55FL (Channel 55; SPENCER, IA; Owner: WAITT BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • KTIN (Channel 21; FORT DODGE, IA; Owner: IOWA PUBLIC BROADCASTING BOARD)
Fatal accident count
See more detailed statistics of Spencer fatal car crashes and road traffic accidents for 1975 - 2019 here
  • National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics
  • 39Number of bridges
  • 364ft / 111mTotal length
  • 59,800Total average daily traffic
  • 5,366Total average daily truck traffic
  • 59,800Total future (year 2034) average daily traffic
New bridges in Spencer, IA - historical statistics
  • New bridges - historical statistics
  • 11900-1909
  • 21930-1939
  • 21960-1969
  • 81970-1979
  • 61980-1989
  • 91990-1999
  • 82000-2009
  • 32010-2018
See full National Bridge Inventory statistics for Spencer, IA
FCC Registered Cell Phone Towers: 2 (See the full list of FCC Registered Cell Phone Towers in Spencer)
FCC Registered Antenna Towers: 74 (See the full list of FCC Registered Antenna Towers)
FCC Registered Private Land Mobile Towers: 1 (See the full list of FCC Registered Private Land Mobile Towers in Spencer, IA)
FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers: 25 (See the full list of FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers)
FCC Registered Microwave Towers: 22 (See the full list of FCC Registered Microwave Towers in this town)
FCC Registered Maritime Coast & Aviation Ground Towers: 2 (See the full list of FCC Registered Maritime Coast & Aviation Ground Towers)
FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses: 57 (See the full list of FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses in Spencer)

FAA Registered Aircraft: 21 (See the full list of FAA Registered Aircraft in Spencer)

2003 - 2018 National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) incidents

    Fire incident distribution by year Based on the data from the years 2003 - 2018 the average number of fire incidents per year is 14. The highest number of fires - 45 took place in 2008, and the least - 0 in 2004. The data has a declining trend.
    Fire incident types in Spencer, IA When looking into fire subcategories, the most incidents belonged to: Structure Fires (48.4%), and Outside Fires (23.3%).

    • Fire incident types reported to NFIRS in Spencer, IA
    • 10648.4%Structure Fires
    • 5123.3%Outside Fires
    • 3917.8%Mobile Property/Vehicle Fires
    • 2310.5%Other
See full National Fire Incident Reporting System statistics for Spencer, IA

Fire-safe hotels and motels in Spencer, Iowa:

  • Americinn, 1005 13TH St SW, Spencer, Iowa 51301 , Phone: (712) 262-7525, Fax: (712) 262-7514
  • Days Inn Spencer, 10 11th St SE, Spencer, Iowa 51301 , Phone: (712) 580-4077, Fax: (712) 580-4078
  • Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Spencer, 14 11th St SE, Spencer, Iowa 51301 , Phone: (712) 262-9123, Fax: (712) 262-4538
  • Ecno Lodge, 102 11th St SW, Spencer, Iowa 51301 , Phone: (712) 262-6100
  • Super 8 Spencer Ia, 209 11 th St SW, Spencer, Iowa 51301 , Phone: (712) 262-6100
  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites of Spencer, Iowa, 916 13th St SW, Spencer, Iowa 51301 , Phone: (712) 580-2200, Fax: (712) 580-2201
All 6 fire-safe hotels and motels in Spencer, Iowa
Most common first names in Spencer, IA among deceased individuals
NameCountLived (average)
John8978.4 years
Mary6779.3 years
William6376.2 years
Robert5373.1 years
Dorothy4980.1 years
Donald4973.9 years
George4977.2 years
Margaret4679.9 years
James4672.7 years
Ruth4680.5 years
Most common last names in Spencer, IA among deceased individuals
Last nameCountLived (average)
Johnson8378.8 years
Anderson4975.2 years
Smith3580.3 years
Peterson3478.8 years
Nelson3080.6 years
Miller2674.6 years
Hansen2678.7 years
Larson2283.3 years
Meyer2279.6 years
Olson2280.9 years
Houses and condos Apartments
Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos in Spencer, IA
  • 75.6%Utility gas
  • 24.0%Electricity
  • 0.5%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments in Spencer, IA
  • 63.3%Electricity
  • 35.8%Utility gas
  • 0.9%Bottled, tank, or LP gas


Spencer compared to Iowa state average:

  • Unemployed percentage significantly below state average.
  • Black race population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Hispanic race population percentage below state average.
  • Foreign-born population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Number of college students below state average.

Spencer on our top lists:

  • #31 on the list of "Top 101 cities with the biggest local government total salary and wages expenses per resident (population 10,000+)"
  • #72 on the list of "Top 101 cities with the most full-time local library workers per 1000 residents (population 5,000+)"
  • #96 on the list of "Top 101 cities with the largest percentage of people in job corps and vocational training facilities (population 1,000+)"
  • #99 on the list of "Top 101 cities with the most users submitting photos to our site per 10,000 residents (population 5,000+)"
There are 25 pilots and 11 other airmen in this city.
Cost of Living Calculator
Top Patent Applicants
Top Patent Applicants
  • Christopher L. Souder (82)
  • Karl W. Nolin (2)
  • Thomas Beall (2)
  • Eric Matthias (2)
  • Joel Stave (2)
  • Katherine Johnson (1)
  • John William Follows (1)
  • Christopher L. Sounder (1)
  • David W. Brown (1)
  • David Brostrom (1)

Total of 98 patent applications in 2008-2023.

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