City profile · Indiana · Census ACS 2023

Spencer, IN

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Spencer - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

2,308
Residents
$47,994
Median income
$146,300
Median home
$956
Median rent (state)

Spencer - the verdict

Nationally, Spencer sits in the 17th percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

17th
percentile, household income
26th
percentile, home value
11th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Spencer, IN

Spencer is a small town in Indiana, home to 2,308 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Spencer brings in $47,994 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 9.3%. Spencer's housing stock carries a median value of $146,300, and the median resident age is 49.4 years. Educational attainment runs 18.3% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 53.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 6 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 200% from five years earlier. The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 52.8°F with 49.7 inches of precipitation per year and 15.8 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Indiana run below the national norm: the state registers 93.3 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $956 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Indiana's average monthly utility costs around $235 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 35.1 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

2,308 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Indiana

Median Household Income

$47,994 /yr

Poverty 9.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Indiana average

How does Spencer compare to other US cities?

Here's how Spencer stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 17% higher than other cities
Home value 26% pricier than other cities
Median rent 11% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Spencer against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Indiana only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Indiana-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Spencer near the bottom of Indiana's cities

Among the 850 Indiana cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Spencer ranks #610 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Spencer only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#633 of 766
17th percentile in Indiana
Median Gross Rent
#610 of 850
0th percentile in Indiana
Median Home Value
#324 of 771
58th percentile in Indiana
Poverty Rate
#321 of 849
61st percentile in Indiana
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#326 of 850
62nd percentile in Indiana

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Indiana only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

17thIncome percentile

17th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Spencer's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$146,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 74% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Spencer $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Spencer, IN Spencer, IN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Spencer, IN-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Spencer, IN median $47,994/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Spencer, IN's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Spencer, IN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 18.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.2%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
2,308
Median Income
$47,994
Median Home Value
$146,300
Median Age
49.4
Poverty Rate
9.3%
Labor force participation
53.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
18.3%

Climate

Avg Temperature
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
49.7"
Annual Snowfall
15.8"

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,450 residents2,460 residents2,470 residents2,480 residents2,490 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,458 residents 2,479 residents ▲ +0.9%
Spencer's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
6
housing units authorized
Single-Family
6
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2020 2
2021 10
2022 9
2023 13
2024 6

Permit volume increased 200% from 2020 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
81.4%
Carpool
5.5%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
6.2%
Work from Home
4.9%
Other
2.0%

Based on 1,008 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Indiana - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$110
avg/month
Natural Gas
$80
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$235
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Indiana state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Indiana state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Spencer sits in

Cost of Living Index
93.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$956/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
35.1 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Indiana

Fowler
2,286 people
Ferdinand
2,346 people
Jasonville
2,269 people
New Chicago
2,348 people
Kouts
2,261 people
Shadeland
2,257 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Spencer's 2,308 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Monroe Manor, NJ
2,308 people
Seneca Knolls, NY
2,308 people
Old River-Winfree, TX
2,308 people
Whitney, TX
2,308 people
Park Falls, WI
2,308 people
Three Rivers, CA
2,307 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Spencer's $47,994 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Keyser, WV
$47,991 median income
Interlachen, FL
$48,000 median income
Waverly, MO
$48,000 median income
Morristown, OH
$48,000 median income
Bluejacket, OK
$48,000 median income
Rouzerville, PA
$47,987 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Spencer, IN Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Spencer, IN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 94.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.7% White 94.6% Black or African American 1.2% Asian 1.3% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.6% Two or more races 0.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Spencer compares to nearby Indiana cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Spencer (this city) 2,308 $47,994
Fowler 2,286 $51,654
Ferdinand 2,346 $74,943
Jasonville 2,269 $36,607
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IN NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Spencer, IN?

What is the population of Spencer, IN? +

Spencer, IN counts 2,308 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Spencer, IN? +

Median annual household income in Spencer runs $47,994, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Spencer? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Spencer; the closest available measure is the Indiana state average, a cost of living index of 93.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Indiana vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Spencer, IN? +

A typical home in Spencer is worth $146,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Spencer? +

Spencer has an average annual temperature of 52.8°F, 49.7 inches of precipitation, and 15.8 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.