Spencer, MA

Massachusetts · Metropolitan Area

Spencer is a small city in Massachusetts with a population of 5,520. Residents earn $59,618 per year, which is 21% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
5,520 Population 2,616/sq mi density
$59,618 Median Income $35,488 per capita
$297,700 Home Value $425,177 Zillow
$1,052 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
135 Violent Crime/100K 1,354 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$59,618 median income, 3.7% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.9 / 5.0
$297,700 home value, $1,052/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
135 violent crimes/100K (64% below avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
15.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,618
21% lower than US avg
Home Value $297,700
6% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 135/100K
64% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.7%
53% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,052
10% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.6%
11% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.7%
3% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.6%
87% lower than US avg

How Spencer Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population5,520
Median Age50.8 yrs
Density2,616/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

B+
Median Income$59,618
Per Capita$35,488
Unemployment3.7%
Poverty1.6%
County GDP$60,947M
Commute35 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$297,700
Rent$1,052
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$425,177

Crime

F
Violent135/100K
Property1,354/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault127/100K
Burglary279/100K

Health

Obesity35.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression29.1%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain48.3 in/yr
Elevation882 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.7%
High School+88.5%
School Score6.49

Community

2024 VoteR 44% / D 54%
Commute35 min
EV Stations3
Libraries70

Is Spencer a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Spencer receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, long commute times. Spencer has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Spencer is $59,618, 21% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.7%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 1.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Spencer is $297,700, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,052 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Spencer is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 135 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,354 per 100,000, 31% below the national average.

Education

15.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.5% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.5/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Spencer experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.3 inches, including 72.9 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Spencer has a population of 5,520 with a density of 2,616 people per square mile. The median age is 50.8 years, 31% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.5%).

Population

5,520
Total Population
2,616
People / sq mi
50.8yrs
Median Age
31% above US avg
2.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52%
Female 48%

Race & Ethnicity

Spencer vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.3%
20% above US avg
Spanish5.7%
57% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Spencer vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Spencer is $59,618, which is 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 1.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes.

Income: Spencer vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,618
21% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,488
Avg Weekly Wage$1,378
IRS Avg AGI$91,314

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.7%
3% above US avg
Poverty Rate1.6%
87% below US avg
Establishments (County)27,743
County GDP$60,947M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,794
Healthcare2,309
Retail2,429
Manufacturing818

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,321
109% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.46%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time35.2 min
Work from Home9.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Spencer is $297,700, 6% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,052 (10% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $425,177.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$297,700
6% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$425,177
Median List Price$300,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$300,000
$/Sq Ft$253
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio96.7%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory4

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,052
10% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,727
1 Bedroom$1,822
2 Bedrooms$2,300
3 Bedrooms$2,858
4 Bedrooms$3,232

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied40.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,321
109% above US avg
Effective Rate2.46%
In Spencer, 35.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 29.1% report depression. 27.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Spencer vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.6%
11% above US avg
Diabetes10.0%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure32.0%
Asthma13.3%
COPD7.4%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.1%
Physical Inactivity27.5%
Depression29.1%
Mental Distress21.1%
Physical Distress15.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.8%
Checkup Rate78.7%
Premature Death6,707/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access91.2%
Healthcare Facilities2,309
Spencer has a violent crime rate of 135 per 100,000 residents, 64% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,354 per 100,000 (31% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Spencer vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent135.4/100K
64% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape8.5/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault126.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,353.8/100K
31% below US avg
Burglary279.2/100K
Theft998.4/100K
Vehicle Theft76.2/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)70

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Spencer has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average48.1°F
11% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.3 inches
27% above US avg
Snowfall72.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation882 ft (269 m)
Area2.1 sq mi (5.5 km²)
Population Density2,616/sq mi
Coordinates42.2486°N, 71.9931°W
County FIPS25027
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 15.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (53% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 10-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 43.9%
D 53.9%

Winner: Democrat by 10 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.7%
53% below US avg
High School+88.5%
School Test Score6.49
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density2,616/sq mi
Total Area2.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries70
Healthcare Facilities2,309
Restaurants1,794
Retail Stores2,429

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)70
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute35.2 min
Work from Home9.7%

Nearby Cities

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