Town · Massachusetts
Spencer, Massachusetts
Spencer, town, in Worcester County, Massachusetts. Spencer had 12,173 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.6% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 11,992 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 12,008 (±28). GEOID 2502766105.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
12,173
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 11,992 · ACS 2020-2024: 12,008 ±28
Median household income
$80,533
±$11,243 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $103,960
Median home value
$382,000
±$22,352 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $562,100
Median gross rent
$1,078
±$161 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $1,762
Where is Spencer and what county is it in?
Spencer is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts. It covers 32.9 square miles of land, 365 residents per square mile in 2020.
One place lies inside Spencer: Spencer (CDP, 5,810 in 2020).
Spencer is in the Worcester, MA metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Spencer, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 12,173 people lived in Spencer on July 1, 2025, up 1.6% since 2020, in line with Massachusetts (+1.7%). The 2020 Census counted 11,992 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 12,008 (±28).
| Measure | Spencer | Worcester County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 12,008±28 | 867,788 | +80 |
| Households | 5,201±369 | 335,826 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.29±0.16 | 2.50 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,695±424 | 355,185 | no clear change |
Spencer's population since 2000
From 11,691 in 2000 to 12,173 in 2025: up 4.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Spencer as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Spencer?
The median resident of Spencer is 48.9 years old; 16.4% are under 18 and 26.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 89.8%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 5.0%. 3.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Spencer | Worcester County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.9±6.8 | 40.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 16.4%±3.2 pts | 20.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 26.0%±4.0 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Male | 50.6%±3.6 pts | 49.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.0%±2.9 pts | 13.7% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 89.8%±3.8 pts | 70.3% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.6 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.6%±2.7 pts | 5.3% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.9%±1.5 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.6%±2.0 pts | 14.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.2%±2.1 pts | 22.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.0%±1.8 pts | 5.0% | – |
| With a disability | 16.0%±3.5 pts | 13.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.9%±2.2 pts | 2.5% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.9%±3.0 pts | 91.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 29.1%±5.5 pts | 39.7% | +9.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.0%±4.5 pts | 16.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 94.3%±3.0 pts | 88.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 1.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Spencer earn?
Half of Spencer's 5,201 households earn less than $80,533 a year (±$11,243), against $95,939 in Worcester County and $103,960 in Massachusetts. In 2015-2019 it was $89,620 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Spencer | Worcester County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $80,533±$11,243 | $95,939 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $102,158±$12,562 | $124,653 | – |
| Per capita income | $45,204±$5,140 | $48,914 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.0%±3.5 pts | 10.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.8%±10.4 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.0%±4.3 pts | 15.9% | – |
| Households with a computer | 93.2%±3.8 pts | 95.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.0%±4.6 pts | 92.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Spencer?
Owners occupy 63.0% of Spencer's occupied homes and renters 37.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $382,000 by its owner (±$22,352). The median renter pays $1,078 a month including utilities, and 39.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Spencer | Worcester County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $382,000±$22,352 | $423,700 | +$67,065 |
| Median gross rent | $1,078±$161 | $1,426 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.3%±12.5 pts | 40.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,158±$107 | $2,387 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 63.0%±6.0 pts | 65.8% | −7.6 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 37.0%±6.0 pts | 34.2% | – |
| Housing units | 5,695±424 | 355,185 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±1.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.1%±3.6 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 58.7%±5.3 pts | 56.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.5%±2.0 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 4.1%±2.2 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 29.4%±5.6 pts | 27.5% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 8.9%±5.0 pts | 8.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Spencer building?
Builders took permits for 11 new housing units in Spencer in 2025 (11 in single-family houses), 0.9 per 1,000 residents against 1.7 across Massachusetts.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Spencer work and get to work?
76.1% of Spencer's workers drive alone and 15.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 34.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.1%.
| Measure | Spencer | Worcester County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.6%±6.0 pts | 66.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1%±3.0 pts | 5.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 76.1%±7.4 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.1%±4.0 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.4%±0.6 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Walked | 0.4%±0.7 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 15.0%±7.3 pts | 15.6% | +12.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 34.3 min±2.8 | 29.2 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Spencer?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Spencer (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $59,931 (Tract 7262) to $107,292 (Tract 7261).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 7261Worcester County | 6,347 | $107,292 |
| Tract 7262Worcester County | 5,661 | $59,931 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Spencer) · Census block assignment files
How does Spencer compare with other places in Massachusetts?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Spencer is the 1,022nd-most populous of the 16,079 U.S. towns and townships that have one and the 82nd-most populous of 266 in Massachusetts.
Spencer ranks 373rd of 453 places in Massachusetts with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 82nd | 266 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 147th | 292 |
| Residents per square mile | 347th | 461 |
| Median household income | 373rd | 453 |
| Per capita income | 370th | 460 |
| Median home value | 367th | 459 |
| Median gross rent | 371st | 410 |
| Poverty rate | 65th | 338 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 396th | 459 |
| Median age | 137th | 461 |
| Owner-occupied share | 379th | 460 |
| Work from home | 276th | 429 |
| Travel time to work | 90th | 459 |
Spencer's figures with every place in Massachusetts (CSV)
Every place in Massachusetts, sortable · Compare Spencer with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Spencer?
14 of the 57 figures for Spencer on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Spencer are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.