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Spencer, NY

New York · Metropolitan Area

Spencer is a small town in New York with a population of 848. Residents earn $50,682 per year, which is 33% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
848 Population 815/sq mi density
$50,682 Median Income $27,844 per capita
$139,200 Home Value
$1,034 Median Rent 43.8% income on rent
46°F Avg Temperature 261 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$50,682 median income, 3.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$139,200 home value, $1,034/mo rent
B
Education
3.0 / 5.0
25.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,682
33% lower than US avg
Home Value $139,200
51% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 25.2%
25% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,034
11% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 32.1%
0% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.3%
8% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 20.4%
65% higher than US avg

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

People

Population848
Median Age34.5 yrs
Density815/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 98%
Veterans7.7%

Economy

B
Median Income$50,682
Per Capita$27,844
Unemployment3.3%
Poverty20.4%
County GDP$2,022M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$139,200
Rent$1,034
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units347
Rent Burden43.8%

Health

Obesity32.1%
Uninsured6.9%
Smoking15.8%
Depression23.5%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F (8°C)
AQI36 (Good)
Sunny Days261/yr
Elevation998 ft (304 m)

Education

B
Bachelor's+25.2%
High School+85.9%
Graduate+5.7%
School Score5.39

Community

2024 VoteR 61% / D 39%
Commute26 min
Broadband85.0%
EV Stations1
Libraries8

Is Spencer a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Spencer receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. 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 $50,682, 33% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.3%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 20.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Spencer is $139,200, 51% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,034 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

25.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Spencer experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. With 261 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Spencer has a population of 848 with a density of 815 people per square mile. The median age is 34.5 years, 11% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.9%).

Population

848
Total Population
815
People / sq mi
34.5yrs
Median Age
11% below US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.2%
Female 52.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Spencer vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.7%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.3%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Spencer vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Spencer is $50,682, which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 20.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Spencer vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,682
33% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,844
Avg Weekly Wage$1,292
IRS Avg AGI$68,102

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.3%
8% below US avg
Poverty Rate20.4%
65% above US avg
Establishments (County)890
County GDP$2,022M

Business (County)

Restaurants78
Healthcare87
Retail125
Manufacturing37

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,725
92% above US avg
Cost of Living107.90 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate4.83%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.9 min
Drive Alone80.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home9.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Spencer is $139,200, 51% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,034 (11% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$139,200
51% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,034
11% below US avg
Rent Burden43.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,215
1 Bedroom$1,315
2 Bedrooms$1,579
3 Bedrooms$1,976
4 Bedrooms$2,193

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied62.6%
Housing Units347
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,725
92% above US avg
Effective Rate4.83%
In Spencer, 32.1% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 6.9% of residents lack health insurance. 15.8% are current smokers. 23.5% report depression. 26.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity32.1%
0% below US avg
Diabetes9.5%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure31.6%
Asthma11.7%
COPD7.3%
Cancer7.6%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.8%
13% above US avg
Binge Drinking18.0%
Physical Inactivity26.9%
Depression23.5%
Mental Distress18.9%
Physical Distress14.0%
Short Sleep42.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.8%
Uninsured6.9%
20% below US avg
Checkup Rate78.3%
Dental Visits58.6%
Premature Death6,676/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access64.0%
Healthcare Facilities87
Spencer has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area enjoys 261 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average45.6°F
16% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days261 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation998 ft (304 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.7 km²)
Population Density815/sq mi
Coordinates42.2151°N, 76.4947°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS36107
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 25.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (25% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 22.9-point margin. 85.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 61.4%
D 38.6%

Winner: Republican by 22.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+25.2%
25% below US avg
High School+85.9%
Graduate Degree+5.7%
School Test Score5.39
B Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density815/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access85.0%
EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities87
Restaurants78
Retail Stores125

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.9 min
Drive Alone80.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home9.6%

Nearby Cities

Newfield, NY 1,112 pop · 11.1 mi South Hill, NY 6,805 pop · 13.5 mi Owego, NY 3,823 pop · 14.1 mi Waverly, NY 4,337 pop · 14.2 mi East Ithaca, NY 2,372 pop · 14.6 mi South Waverly, PA 1,125 pop · 15.5 mi Newark Valley, NY 1,149 pop · 15.8 mi Ithaca, NY 31,792 pop · 15.8 mi Sayre, PA 5,444 pop · 15.9 mi Horseheads North, NY 2,600 pop · 15.9 mi Forest Home, NY 1,164 pop · 16.4 mi Northwest Ithaca, NY 1,813 pop · 16.9 mi Horseheads, NY 6,494 pop · 17.4 mi Cayuga Heights, NY 4,018 pop · 17.5 mi
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