Spencer, SD

South Dakota

Spencer is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 126. Residents earn $57,917 per year, which is 23% below the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
126 Population 467/sq mi density
$57,917 Median Income $32,262 per capita
$137,500 Home Value $258,166 Zillow
$425 Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$57,917 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$137,500 home value, $425/mo rent
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $57,917
23% lower than US avg
Home Value $137,500
51% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.2%
49% lower than US avg
Median Rent $425
63% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.5%
11% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

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

People

Population126
Median Age42.5 yrs
Density467/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 94%
Veterans84.0%

Economy

A
Median Income$57,917
Per Capita$32,262
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$217M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$137,500
Rent$425
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$258,166

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity35.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.6%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain25.3 in/yr
Elevation1,381 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.2%
High School+93.1%
School Score5.45

Community

2024 VoteR 79% / D 20%
Commute26 min
Broadband52.0%

Is Spencer a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Spencer receives an overall livability score of 3.9 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. 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 $57,917, 23% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Spencer is $137,500, 51% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $425 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

17.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Spencer has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 25.3 inches, including 36.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Spencer has a population of 126 with a density of 467 people per square mile. The median age is 42.5 years, 9% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.4%), with 3.2% Hispanic.

Population

126
Total Population
467
People / sq mi
42.5yrs
Median Age
9% above US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.2%
Female 46.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Spencer vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.2%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.8%
72% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Spencer vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Spencer is $57,917, which is 23% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.0% 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$57,917
23% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,262
Avg Weekly Wage$998
IRS Avg AGI$76,948

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)106
County GDP$217M

Business (County)

Restaurants4
Healthcare4
Retail10
Manufacturing3

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,700
6% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.69%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.5 min
Work from Home6.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Spencer is $137,500, 51% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $425 (63% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $258,166.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$137,500
51% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$258,166

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$425
63% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$691
1 Bedroom$784
2 Bedrooms$990
3 Bedrooms$1,295
4 Bedrooms$1,540

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied78.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,700
6% above US avg
Effective Rate2.69%
In Spencer, 35.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.6% report depression. 21.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.5%
11% above US avg
Diabetes8.6%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure27.4%
Asthma9.7%
COPD5.3%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.2%
Physical Inactivity21.0%
Depression21.6%
Mental Distress15.6%
Physical Distress11.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.1%
Checkup Rate72.9%
Premature Death4,906/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access29.0%
Healthcare Facilities4

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Spencer has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 25.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average45.0°F
17% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall25.3 inches
33% below US avg
Snowfall36.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,381 ft (421 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²)
Population Density467/sq mi
Coordinates43.7275°N, 97.5911°W
County FIPS46061
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 17.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (49% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 59.2-point margin. 52.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 78.7%
D 19.5%

Winner: Republican by 59.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.2%
49% below US avg
High School+93.1%
School Test Score5.45
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density467/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access52.0%
Healthcare Facilities4
Restaurants4
Retail Stores10

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.5 min
Work from Home6.0%

Nearby Cities

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