City · West Virginia
Spencer, West Virginia
Spencer, city, in Roane County, West Virginia. Spencer had 1,895 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 6.7% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 2,063 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 2,291 (±420). GEOID 5475820.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
1,895
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 2,063 · ACS 2020-2024: 2,291 ±420
Median household income
$37,639
±$15,428 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $59,608
Median home value
$116,800
±$12,250 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $162,600
Median gross rent
$738
±$154 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $872
Where is Spencer and what county is it in?
Spencer is a city in Roane County, West Virginia. It covers 1.2 square miles of land, 1,652 residents per square mile in 2020.
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 1,895 people lived in Spencer on July 1, 2025, down 6.7% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). The 2020 Census counted 2,063 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 2,291 (±420).
| Measure | Spencer | Roane County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 2,291 ±420 | 13,786 | no clear change |
| Households | 897 ±142 | 5,704 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.49 ±0.33 | 2.40 | +0.43 |
| Housing units | 1,060 ±157 | 7,146 | no clear change |
Spencer's population since 2000
From 2,352 in 2000 to 1,895 in 2025: down 19.4%. 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 43.8 years old; 19.5% are under 18 and 23.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 96.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 1.8%.
| Measure | Spencer | Roane County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.8 ±6.7 | 46.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.5% ±6.6 pts | 20.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.5% ±5.6 pts | 23.6% | – |
| Male | 52.5% ±4.5 pts | 49.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.8% ±2.1 pts | 1.2% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 96.1% ±3.7 pts | 95.0% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.3% ±2.8 pts | 0.2% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.6 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±0.9 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.6 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.4% ±3.7 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.9% ±2.6 pts | 8.2% | – |
| With a disability | 22.2% ±6.4 pts | 23.2% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.4% ±3.3 pts | 7.9% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 83.3% ±6.0 pts | 84.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.7% ±6.3 pts | 15.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.2% ±3.6 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 92.3% ±3.5 pts | 91.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 1.4% | – |
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 897 households earn less than $37,639 a year (±$15,428), against $45,778 in Roane County and $59,608 in West Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $29,917 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 33.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Spencer | Roane County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $37,639 ±$15,428 | $45,778 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $54,954 ±$9,899 | $62,771 | – |
| Per capita income | $24,523 ±$5,187 | $27,304 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 33.5% ±10.8 pts | 19.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 51.0% ±24.2 pts | 30.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 29.3% ±8.0 pts | 21.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 76.5% ±8.1 pts | 83.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 75.0% ±8.2 pts | 76.3% | – |
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 56.9% of Spencer's occupied homes and renters 43.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $116,800 by its owner (±$12,250). The median renter pays $738 a month including utilities, and 58.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Spencer | Roane County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $116,800 ±$12,250 | $122,100 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $738 ±$154 | $614 | +$204 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 58.2% ±16.8 pts | 45.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,045 ±$578 | $1,140 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 56.9% ±10.0 pts | 78.9% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 43.1% ±10.0 pts | 21.1% | – |
| Housing units | 1,060 ±157 | 7,146 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 4.0% ±6.2 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 13.4% ±9.1 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 75.9% ±7.7 pts | 68.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.2% ±2.9 pts | 27.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±3.5 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 0.0% ±3.5 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 24.5% ±7.4 pts | 13.6% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 17.9% ±8.0 pts | 10.5% | – |
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 0 new housing units in Spencer in 2025 (0 in single-family houses), 0.0 per 1,000 residents against 2.2 across West Virginia.
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?
77.0% of Spencer's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 20.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 16.5%.
| Measure | Spencer | Roane County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 42.3% ±6.1 pts | 42.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 16.5% ±9.4 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.0% ±6.9 pts | 78.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 13.0% ±5.6 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±5.4 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 5.8% ±4.1 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.2% ±3.9 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.6 min ±5.2 | 32.7 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?
1 census tract lies mostly in Spencer (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9630Roane County | 3,692 | $31,169 |
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 West Virginia?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Spencer is the 7,875th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 59th-most populous of 230 in West Virginia.
Spencer ranks 118th of 138 places in West Virginia with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 59th | 230 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 91st | 102 |
| Residents per square mile | 45th | 146 |
| Median household income | 118th | 138 |
| Per capita income | 121st | 144 |
| Median home value | 97th | 142 |
| Median gross rent | 91st | 123 |
| Poverty rate | 12th | 111 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 101st | 135 |
| Median age | 63rd | 146 |
| Owner-occupied share | 121st | 146 |
| Travel time to work | 91st | 145 |
Spencer's figures with every place in West Virginia (CSV)
Every place in West Virginia, 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?
19 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' public schools in Spencer.