City profile · Wisconsin · Census ACS 2023

Spencer, WI

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.

1,621
Residents
$74,245
Median income
$143,000
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Spencer - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Spencer lands in the 55th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

55th
percentile, household income
25th
percentile, home value
12th
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, WI

1,621 people live in Spencer, Wisconsin - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $74,245 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 0.0%. Spencer's housing stock carries a median value of $143,000, and the median resident age is 37.5 years. 14.9% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 73.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 4 residential building permits were authorized in Spencer (Rapid Growth), up 33% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data.

Living costs in Wisconsin run below the national norm: the state registers 94.1 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $973 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Wisconsin, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. The average commute for Spencer workers runs 16.2 minutes, with 68.2% driving alone and 14.3% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 68.4 out of 100 (Moderate).

Population

1,621 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Wisconsin

Median Household Income

$74,245 /yr

Poverty 0.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.1 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Wisconsin average

How does Spencer compare to other US cities?

Spencer measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 55% higher than other cities
Home value 25% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% 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

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Spencer's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Wisconsin, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

55thIncome percentile

55th 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+)

$143,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 75% 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, WI Spencer, WI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Spencer, WI-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, WI median $74,245/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, WI'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, WI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 14.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 0.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 73.8%

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

Population
1,621
Median Income
$74,245
Median Home Value
$143,000
Median Age
37.5
Poverty Rate
0.0%
Labor force participation
73.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
14.9%

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,800 residents1,805 residents1,810 residents1,815 residents1,820 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,817 residents 1,809 residents ▼ -0.4%
Spencer's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
4
housing units authorized
Single-Family
4
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2022 3
2023 3
2024 4

Permit volume increased 33% from 2022 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
16.2 minutes
Drive Alone
68.2%
Carpool
9.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
4.6%
Work from Home
14.3%
Other
3.5%

Based on 855 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

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

Electricity
$100
avg/month
Natural Gas
$80
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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
94.1
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$973/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
68.4 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Wisconsin

Lac du Flambeau
1,619 people
Wind Point
1,632 people
Fontana-on-Geneva Lake
1,633 people
River Hills
1,639 people
Whitehall
1,651 people
Cleveland
1,655 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Spencer's 1,621 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Duxbury, MA
1,620 people
Harwich Center, MA
1,620 people
Springfield, NE
1,620 people
Cumberland Head, NY
1,622 people
Williamstown, VT
1,622 people
Ferrum, VA
1,622 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Spencer's $74,245 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Machesney Park, IL
$74,244 median income
Shingletown, CA
$74,242 median income
Lake Dallas, TX
$74,241 median income
Petaluma Center, CA
$74,250 median income
Berkshire Lakes, FL
$74,250 median income
Granite Falls, NC
$74,250 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Spencer, WI 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, WI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 98.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.7% White 98.7% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.6% Two or more races 0.6% 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 Wisconsin 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) 1,621 $74,245
Lac du Flambeau 1,619 $34,844
Wind Point 1,632 $134,375
Fontana-on-Geneva Lake 1,633 $104,583
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WI NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Spencer, WI?

What is the population of Spencer, WI? +

1,621 people live in Spencer, WI according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Spencer is $74,245 per year, 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 Wisconsin state average, a cost of living index of 94.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Wisconsin vary by metro area.

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

Homes in Spencer carry a median value of $143,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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