Spencer, NE

Full City Profile · Nebraska · Boyd County County

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
298 Population 497/sq mi density
$55,469 Median Income $31,546 per capita
$85,800 Home Value $176,037 Zillow
$683 Median Rent 33.3% income on 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, 0.6% 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
Spencer experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 23.2 inches. The area receives 30.9 inches of snow annually.

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)

Geography

Elevation1,681 ft (512 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density497/sq mi
Coordinates42.8756°N, 98.6999°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyBoyd County County
Nearest AirportAinsworth Regional (ANW)
69 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 23.2"
39% below US avg
Snowfall 30.9"
Wettest Month (May) 3.79"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.35"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score3.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience32.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

17 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.3. Most recent: M2.5 on Apr 27, 2025.

Nov 3, 2002 16 km SSW of Butte, Nebraska M4.3 20 km
Jun 4, 2021 10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska M3.7 15 km
Feb 6, 1996 1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska M3.6 103 km
Oct 25, 1990 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota M3.6 104 km
Jan 25, 1994 8 km E of Wood Lake, Nebraska M3.3 121 km
Jun 18, 2015 15 km SSE of Valentine, Nebraska M3.3 145 km
Jun 4, 2021 9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska M3.1 14 km
Jan 4, 2021 5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota M3.1 71 km
Feb 7, 2014 11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota M3.0 86 km
Feb 1, 2006 6 km ENE of Bassett, Nebraska M2.9 70 km
Jul 3, 1995 9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota M2.8 141 km
Jan 1, 2020 2 km E of Chambers, Nebraska M2.8 75 km
Mar 20, 2010 9 km NNW of Springview, Nebraska M2.7 90 km
Feb 5, 2025 8 km SSE of Tilden, Nebraska M2.7 124 km
Apr 27, 2025 9 km NE of Burke, South Dakota M2.5 59 km
Jan 16, 2022 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota M2.5 102 km
Mar 6, 2024 6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska M2.5 73 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

389 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 2 fatalities, 158 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
May 8, 1965 EF5 84 km 0
May 29, 1962 EF4 30 km 0
Oct 4, 2013 EF3 83 km 0
May 5, 2007 EF3 92 km 0
Jun 9, 2003 EF3 39 km 0
Jun 26, 1965 EF3 72 km 0
Jun 21, 1965 EF3 75 km 0
May 8, 1965 EF3 92 km 0
May 8, 1965 EF3 61 km 0
Jun 5, 1962 EF3 65 km 0
May 21, 1962 EF3 2 km 0
May 16, 1962 EF3 30 km 0
May 15, 1962 EF3 67 km 0
May 14, 1962 EF3 64 km 0
May 14, 1962 EF3 99 km 0
Jun 18, 1954 EF3 67 km 0
Jun 18, 1954 EF3 99 km 0
May 12, 2023 EF2 89 km 0
May 10, 2015 EF2 46 km 0
Oct 4, 2013 EF2 86 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

9 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (6,910 ac, 2012).

Year Name Acres Distance
2012 UNNAMED 6,910 72 km
2023 LOWERY 4,881 100 km
1995 UNNAMED 3,145 92 km
1995 UNNAMED 2,911 97 km
2012 UNNAMED 2,875 61 km
2002 UNNAMED 2,130 94 km
2012 KAYLKOWSKI 1,966 18 km
2012 SIX PACK 1,649 68 km
2023 SDLDR-HFR-FY23-RX-BROKEN ARROW UNITS B-C-D-E-G-H-I 1,185 67 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 21°F (-6°C) 0.4 in Coldest, Driest
February 25°F (-4°C) 0.5 in
March 35°F (2°C) 1.0 in
April 46°F (8°C) 2.7 in
May 57°F (14°C) 3.8 in Wettest
June 68°F (20°C) 3.1 in
July 74°F (23°C) 3.0 in Warmest
August 72°F (22°C) 2.9 in
September 63°F (17°C) 2.5 in
October 49°F (10°C) 2.0 in
November 35°F (2°C) 0.7 in
December 24°F (-4°C) 0.5 in

Spencer has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 21°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.8") and January the driest (0.4").

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