Population
16,202
2025
−0.9% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Spencer, IA micro area: population growth, jobs and income
The Spencer, IA micro area lost 319 residents between 2024 and 2025 (−1.9%).
The Spencer, IA micro area had an estimated 16,202 residents in 2025, down 0.9% (139 fewer people) since 2020.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Map, parcel and listing layers cover North and South Carolina only for now.
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
−292
2025
−18.0 per 1,000 residents
−75 in total, 2021–2025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. People moving in from other U.S. counties minus people moving out.
New homes permitted
61
2025
3.8 per 1,000 residents
Small base: the change swings on a few homes or people, so we don't show it.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$65,428
2020–24
+27.6% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
Private-sector employment
7,012
2023
−2.7% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
Net migration (IRS tax returns)
+11
2022–23
Source: IRS Statistics of Income, U.S. Population Migration Data, 2022–23. People on tax returns moving in minus moving out, U.S. and abroad; the sum of the member counties (moves between them cancel out).
Population, migration, employment, permits, unemployment and income are the figures each agency publishes for the area itself (OMB Bulletin 23-01 delineation; ACS 2016-20 and CBP 2018 use the delineation of their year). IRS migration is the sum of the member counties.
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration was negative in 2025: 292 more people moved out to other U.S. counties than moved in.
Private employers had 7,012 paid employees in mid-March 2023, −2.7% since 2018 (County Business Patterns).
Builders were authorized to start 61 new homes in 2025, or 3.8 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $65,428 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +27.6% since 2016–20.
Population growth over five years ranks 7th of 15 Iowa micro areas and 379th of 538 U.S. micro areas.
IRS tax-return data for 2022-2023 show a net gain of 11 people (the sum of its counties).
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How it ranks
| Measure | Among U.S. micro areas |
|---|---|
| Population growth | 379th of 538 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 533rd of 538 |
| Private-sector job growth | 355th of 495 |
| Median household income | 227th of 538 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 135th of 534 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment), against areas with a figure for the same period.
Fastest-growing metro areas in Iowa · Fastest-growing metro areas in the U.S.
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The County Growth and Demographics Report for Clay County, IA, the principal county of the Spencer, IA area, as a PDF: population and migration, housing and rents, permits, private employers and jobs, unemployment, ranks in the state and the country, and neighbouring counties, with a source next to every number. Pay once, no subscription.
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Counties in this micro area
| County | Role | Residents2025 | Share of residents2025 | Change2020–2025 | Share of the change2020–2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay County, IA | Central | 16,202 | 100.0% | −139 (−0.9%) | 100% |
Census Bureau population estimates (July 1). Shares are of the member counties' total; a share of the change shows only when every county moved the same way. – means no figure for the common period.
Nearby and similar metro areas
Similar in size
Questions
Is the Spencer, IA micro area growing?
No. Its population fell 0.9% between 2020 and 2025, about 139 fewer people (Census Bureau population estimates).
How many people moved to the Spencer, IA micro area?
On net, none in 2025: about 292 more people moved out to other U.S. counties than moved in (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
What is the population of the Spencer, IA micro area?
About 16,202 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
How many jobs are in the Spencer, IA micro area?
Private employers there had 7,012 paid employees in mid-March 2023, −2.7% since 2018 (Census Bureau County Business Patterns; government jobs and the self-employed are not counted).
What is the median household income in the Spencer, IA micro area?
$65,428 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Clay County data alerts
Email me when Clay County gets new Census numbers: population, building permits, jobs and income. About 4 emails a year, one click to stop.
Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
- IRS Statistics of Income, U.S. Population Migration Data
Each number shows its own period. Changes compare the latest period with five years earlier (or the earliest period available). Beacon CRE last refreshed these figures on 2026-11-05. Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how we compute every number. More on every layer: data sources and licences.
Jobs outside North and South Carolina use County Business Patterns (paid private-sector employees in mid-March); wages and government jobs are not included.