Spencer, NE

Nebraska

Spencer is a small town in Nebraska with a population of 298. Residents earn $55,469 per year, which is 26% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
298 Population 497/sq mi density
$55,469 Median Income $31,546 per capita
$85,800 Home Value $182,292 Zillow
$683 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$55,469 median income, 0.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$85,800 home value, $683/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $55,469
26% lower than US avg
Home Value $85,800
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.4%
75% lower than US avg
Median Rent $683
41% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.1%
22% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.4%
89% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.2%
58% lower than US avg

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

People

Population298
Median Age59.3 yrs
Density497/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

A
Median Income$55,469
Per Capita$31,546
Unemployment0.4%
Poverty5.2%
County GDP$140M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$85,800
Rent$683
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$182,292

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.1%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI32 (Good)
Rain27.4 in/yr
Elevation1,681 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.4%
High School+94.7%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 87% / D 12%
Commute19 min
Libraries1

Is Spencer a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Spencer receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Spencer offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Spencer is $55,469, 26% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.4%. Only 5.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Spencer is $85,800, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $683 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

8.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Spencer experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 27.4 inches, including 36.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Spencer has a population of 298 with a density of 497 people per square mile. The median age is 59.3 years, 52% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.3%), with 1.3% Hispanic.

Population

298
Total Population
497
People / sq mi
59.3yrs
Median Age
52% above US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.6%
Female 54.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Spencer vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.2%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.8%
79% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Spencer vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Spencer is $55,469, which is 26% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Spencer vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$55,469
26% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,546
Avg Weekly Wage$711
IRS Avg AGI$49,049

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.4%
89% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.2%
58% below US avg
Establishments (County)92
County GDP$140M

Business (County)

Restaurants3
Healthcare5
Retail12
Manufacturing5

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.4 min
Work from Home1.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Spencer is $85,800, 70% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $683 (41% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $182,292.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$85,800
70% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$182,292

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$683
41% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$706
1 Bedroom$791
2 Bedrooms$1,001
3 Bedrooms$1,274
4 Bedrooms$1,409

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied67.6%

Property Tax

In Spencer, 39.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 19.1% report depression. 26.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.1%
22% above US avg
Diabetes9.8%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure31.5%
Asthma9.8%
COPD6.6%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.8%
Physical Inactivity26.7%
Depression19.1%
Mental Distress16.3%
Physical Distress12.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.8%
Checkup Rate73.0%
Premature Death9,953/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.1/10
Exercise Access1.9%
Healthcare Facilities5

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Spencer has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 27.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.5°F
12% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall27.4 inches
28% below US avg
Snowfall36.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,681 ft (512 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.6 km²)
Population Density497/sq mi
Coordinates42.8756°N, 98.6999°W
County FIPS31015
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 8.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (75% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 75-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 87.3%
D 12.3%

Winner: Republican by 75 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.4%
75% below US avg
High School+94.7%
School Test Score5.81
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density497/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities5
Restaurants3
Retail Stores12

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.4 min
Work from Home1.2%

Nearby Cities

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