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Neighborhood report

Spencer, IA

Clay CountyElev. 400 m
Population
11,393
Median home
$178,300
Disaster risk
Very Low
Public schools
5
Sex offenders
2

Overview

About Spencer

Spencer is home to roughly 11,393 residents. Spencer sits in Clay County. The median age is 41.3 and the median household income is $57,068. Homes carry a median value of $178,300, and about 68% of residents own where they live. White residents make up the largest share of the population (90.4%). Around 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the typical commute runs about 17 minutes.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (5-year).

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Who lives here

Demographics

Population
11,393
Median age
41.3
Median household income
$57,068
Per-capita income
$36,456
Poverty rate
14.1%
High-school grad or higher
95.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher
28.2%
Unemployment
5.1%
Avg. commute
17.4 min
Work from home
5.6%
Residents by race & ethnicity
White90.4%
Hispanic or Latino5.5%
Black0.7%
Asian0.4%
Workforce by occupation
Management, business, science & arts38.2%
Sales & office21.5%
Production, transportation & material moving16.1%
Service15.6%
Natural resources, construction & maintenance8.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (5-year).

Housing

Property report

Median home value
$178,300
Median gross rent
$795/mo
Owner-occupied
67.7%
Median year built
1971
Households
5,145
Avg. household size
2.15

Area-level figures. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS (5-year). Parcel-level records coming next.

Education

Schools

Schools: Above average

Spencer has 5 public schools — 3 elementary, 1 middle, 1 high.

Student proficiency · grade 8, 1 school
Reading82%
Math87%

% of students at or above proficient on state assessments.

Spencer High SchoolHighGrades 9–12
Spencer Middle SchoolMiddleGrades 6–8
Fairview Park ElementaryElementaryGrades 1–2
Johnson ElementaryElementary
Lincoln Elementary SchoolElementaryGrades 3–5

Public schools + grade-8 proficiency. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education (NCES directory + EDFacts assessments), via Urban Institute.

Safety

Crime

violent crime75% below national
Spencer96
Iowa280
United States386
↑ 5% higher than 2019
2019–2023
property crime40% below national
Spencer1,177
Iowa1,487
United States1,952
↓ 30% lower than 2019
2019–2023

Rate per 100,000 residents/year, Spencer Police Department, 2023. Source: FBI UCR/NIBRS (Crime Data Explorer).

Environment

Environmental hazards

Toxic-release sites and regulated facilities in and around Spencer.

Data source being added: U.S. EPA — Toxics Release Inventory (public). We show real, sourced figures only — never estimates.

Risk

Natural disaster risk

Very Low
Top hazards · Clay County
HailRelatively Moderate
Winter weatherRelatively Moderate
Cold waveRelatively Low
DroughtRelatively Low
Ice stormRelatively Low
Riverine floodingRelatively Low

County-level natural-hazard risk. Source: FEMA National Risk Index.

Context

Neighborhood info

Spencer is in Clay County — see county-wide risk, demographics, and registry.

Spencer sits in Clay County. Elevation ~400 m.

Map of Spencer
Spencer, IA
Where Spencer is
Des MoinesCedar RapidsDavenportSiouxIowaAnkenySpencer
Historic places

4 on the National Register of Historic Places.

Adams-Higgins HouseClay County CourthouseSpencer High School and AuditoriumLittle Sioux River Bridge
Notable people from Spencer
Vicki MyronRobin ThedeRichard L. TierneyRobert SuderburgJeff TaylorAlice Cook FullerGarry HoweLynn WardlowTom W. ShawLinda Wejcman
People searches in Spencer
Michael Smith (2)John Smith (2)James SmithDavid SmithRobert SmithMichael JohnsonJohn JohnsonJames JohnsonMichael WilliamsWilliam SmithDavid JohnsonRobert JohnsonJohn WilliamsMichael BrownMichael JonesJames WilliamsDavid WilliamsJohn BrownRobert WilliamsJohn JonesWilliam JohnsonMary SmithJames BrownJames Jones
Nearby cities
Storm Lake (35 mi)Le Mars (57 mi)Fort Dodge (66 mi)Carroll (76 mi)Sioux (77 mi)Mason (98 mi)

Registered sex offenders in Spencer, IA (2)

Public sex-offender registry records for Spencer, Iowa.

Kevin Leigh Thomas, 37
Spencer · 51301
Kevin Leigh Thomas Jr, 37
Spencer · Clay County · 51301
AKA Marcus Walter Green, Marcus Green

Source: Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) and state registries. Public record. This information is provided for public awareness. Using it to harass, threaten, or discriminate against any registrant, or for any purpose prohibited by law, is illegal. Verify against the official registry record before relying on it.

Common questions

Spencer — frequently asked

What is the population of Spencer, Iowa?
Spencer has a population of about 11,393, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year).
What is the average home value in Spencer?
The median home value in Spencer is $178,300, and the median gross rent is $795/month (U.S. Census ACS).
Is Spencer safe? What is the crime rate?
Spencer Police Department reported a violent-crime rate of about 96 per 100,000 residents in 2023 — lower than the U.S. rate of 386. Source: FBI UCR/NIBRS.
What natural-disaster risks does Spencer face?
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Clay County as "Very Low" overall, with top hazards including hail, winter weather, cold wave.
How many schools are in Spencer?
Spencer has 5 public schools (3 elementary, 1 middle, 1 high). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, NCES.
How many registered sex offenders are in Spencer?
Public registry data lists 2 registered sex offenders in or near Spencer. This is neighborhood-safety information from the public state registry.
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