City profile · South Dakota · Census ACS 2023

Spencer, SD

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.

126
Residents
$57,917
Median income
$137,500
Median home
$929
Median rent (state)

Spencer - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Spencer places in the 32nd percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

32nd
percentile, household income
23rd
percentile, home value
8th
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, SD

126 people live in Spencer, South Dakota - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Spencer households earn a median of $57,917 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 0.0%. Home values in Spencer run a median of $137,500, and the median resident age is 42.5 years. About 17.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 54.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Spencer (No Permits), per Census BPS data.

Living costs in South Dakota run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts South Dakota at 88.6 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $929 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $200 across South Dakota, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 14.8 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

126 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Dakota

Median Household Income

$57,917 /yr

Poverty 0.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.6 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Dakota 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 32% higher than other cities
Home value 23% pricier than other cities
Median rent 8% 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 South Dakota only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

South Dakota-relative analysis

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

Among the 303 South Dakota cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Spencer ranks #145 - 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
#180 of 285
37th percentile in South Dakota
Median Gross Rent
#145 of 303
0th percentile in South Dakota
Median Home Value
#115 of 263
56th percentile in South Dakota
Poverty Rate
#254 of 302
0th percentile in South Dakota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#184 of 303
39th percentile in South Dakota

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 South Dakota only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

32ndIncome percentile

32nd 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+)

$137,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 77% 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, SD Spencer, SD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Spencer, SD-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, SD median $57,917/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, SD'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, SD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 17.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 0.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.3%

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

Population
126
Median Income
$57,917
Median Home Value
$137,500
Median Age
42.5
Poverty Rate
0.0%
Labor force participation
54.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
17.2%

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
134 residents136 residents138 residents140 residents142 residents 202020212022202320242025 136 residents 139 residents ▲ +2.2%
Spencer's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 1
2024 0

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
68.0%
Carpool
16.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
10.0%
Work from Home
6.0%

Based on 50 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for South Dakota - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$95
avg/month
Natural Gas
$65
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$200
estimated/month

Estimates reflect South Dakota 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 South Dakota 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
88.6
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$929/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
14.8 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Dakota

Peever
126 people
Whitehorse
127 people
Kenel
124 people
Central City
122 people
Conde
122 people
Dante
130 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Spencer's 126 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Morrison Crossroads, AL
126 people
Willow Creek, AK
126 people
Littlefield, AZ
126 people
West Point, AR
126 people
Rock Creek Park, CO
126 people
Southern Ute, CO
126 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Spencer's $57,917 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Tyonek, AK
$57,917 median income
Paxton, FL
$57,917 median income
Crescent City, IL
$57,917 median income
Greentown, IN
$57,917 median income
Lyons, IN
$57,917 median income
Bergland, MI
$57,917 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Spencer, SD 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, SD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 94.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.6% White 94.4% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 4.8% 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 South Dakota 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) 126 $57,917
Peever 126 $41,875
Whitehorse 127 $63,214
Kenel 124 $49,688
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Spencer, SD?

What is the population of Spencer, SD? +

The population of Spencer, SD stands at 126 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Spencer runs $57,917, 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 South Dakota state average, a cost of living index of 88.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within South Dakota vary by metro area.

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

The median home value in Spencer is $137,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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.