Spencer, IA
Full City Profile · Iowa · Clay County County
3.2
/5.0
B
Good
11,393
Population
1,040/sq mi density
$57,068
Median Income
$36,456 per capita
$178,300
Home Value
$199,945 Zillow
$795
Median Rent
26.5% income on rent
47°F
Avg Temperature
61
Violent Crime/100K
1,017 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$57,068 median income, 5.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$178,300 home value, $795/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
61 violent crimes/100K
B
Education
3.3 / 5.0
28.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Spencer experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 26.8 inches. The area receives 43.3 inches of snow annually.
Temperature
17°F Jan (-8°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 46.8°F |
| 13% below US avg | |
| January Average | 17°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,317 ft (401 m) |
| Area | 11.1 sq mi (28.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,040/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.1470°N, 95.1527°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Clay County County |
| Nearest Airport | Fort Dodge Regional (FOD) 64 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 36.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 72.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 1.4 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 2.8 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3.8 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 4.0 in | Wettest |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (21°C) | 3.3 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 3.2 in | |
| October | 49°F (10°C) | 2.2 in | |
| November | 35°F (1°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 22°F (-5°C) | 0.4 in |
Spencer has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 17°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 26.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.0") and January the driest (0.3").