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Spencer

#6 in Best Places to Retire in Iowa
  • B+
    Overall Grade
  • Town in Iowa
  • 14 reviews
    B+
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Public Schools
      B+
    2. Crime & Safety
      A-
    3. Housing
      B+
    4. Nightlife
      B+
    5. Good for Families
      B+
    6. Diversity
      B-
    7. Jobs
      B
    8. Weather
      B-
    9. Cost of Living
      A-
    10. Health & Fitness
      B
    11. Outdoor Activities
      C-
    12. Commute
      A-
    View Full Report Card
    Spencer is a town in Iowa with a population of 11,132. Spencer is in Clay County. Living in Spencer offers residents a suburban feel and most residents own their homes. Many families, young professionals, and retirees live in Spencer and residents tend to be conservative. The public schools in Spencer are above average.
    Population
    11,132

    Real Estate

    Median Home Value
    $123,800
    National
    $184,700
    Median Rent
    $622
    National
    $949
    Area Feel
    Suburban
    Rent vs. Own
    • Rent
      36%
    • Own
      64%
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    Spencer Rankings

    Niche ranks thousands of places to live based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and and expert insights.

    Crime & Safety

    Crime & Safety
    A-
    Based on violent and property crime rates.
    Violent Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Assault
      9
      282.7
    • Murder
      0
      6.1
    • Rape
      125.8
      40.7
    • Robbery
      0
      135.5
    Property Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Burglary
      377.5
      500.1
    • Theft
      1,573
      2,042.8
    • Motor Vehicle Theft
      116.9
      284

    Residents

    Diversity
    B-
    Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
    Age
    • <10 years
      14%
    • 10-17 years
      10%
    • 18-24 years
      7%
    • 25-34 years
      12%
    • 35-44 years
      12%
    • 45-54 years
      12%
    • 55-64 years
      13%
    • 65+ years
      20%
    Education Levels
    National
    • Master's degree or higher
      5%
      12%
    • Bachelor's degree
      18%
      19%
    • Some college or associate's degree
      36%
      29%
    • High school diploma or equivalent
      35%
      28%
    • Less than high school diploma
      6%
      13%

    Working in Spencer

    Jobs
    B
    Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living.
    Median Household Income
    $45,719
    National
    $55,322
    Search for Jobs in Spencer

    Places to Work in Spencer

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    • Private Schools
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    Spencer Reviews

    14 reviews
    All Categories
    Spencer is a wonderful town. I feel so safe and protected. Our community watches out for one another and helps each other through hard times. As a high school student, I have gotten the privilege to see all kinds of people from all kinds of living situations. It seems to me that there is little to no bullying at our school. We are very encouraging and are happy to be "Spencer Tigers." It isn't a town that everyone knows your name, but it definitely has that small town feel to it. When you walk into Spencer, you feel loved. We have lots of activities for families, too. We have great neighborhoods for all types of income situations and quite a bit of diversity in our town. It seems as though we all get along.
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    Spencer is a wonderful town in northwest Iowa. It is just thirty minutes from regionally-famous Iowa Lakes, a summer hotspot. But living in Spencer is significantly more affordable! Also, walking paths and bike trails abound! However, you are somewhat 'in the middle of nowhere' which is good for some people and not-so-good for others. You are 1.5 hours from Sioux City IA, 2 hours from Sioux Falls SD, and 3.5 hours from the Minneapolis MN.
    Spencer is a great place to live! It's safe, comforting & family friendly. commuting anywhere in town is 5 mins. We have 3 schools n town, Public, Catholic, & Lutheran. All 3 are a great place for kids to learn.