Living in Spencer, West Virginia
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Spencer · Census data 2020–2024
Spencer has 2,291 residents with a median age of 43.8. The median household income is $37,639 (37% lower than the West Virginia median), the median home value is $116,800, the median rent is $738/month.
Spencer at a glance
- Population
- 2,291
- Median age
- 43.8State: 42.7
- Median household income
- $37,639State: $59,608
- Median home value
- $116,800State: $162,600
- Median rent
- $738/moState: $872
- Homeowners
- 56.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 16.7%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is Spencer a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 28% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 37% lower than the West Virginia median; unemployment of 16.5%; a poverty rate of 33.5%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Spencer
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Spencer the median home value is $116,800, 65% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $738 per month, which is 41.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,045 a month in housing costs.
Spencer median household income
The median household income in Spencer is $37,639 and the income per person is $24,523. 33.5% of residents live below the poverty line (West Virginia: 16.7%).
Housing in Spencer: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,060
- Owner-occupied
- 56.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 43.1%
- Vacant
- 15.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1963
- Average household size
- 2.49
Spencer demographics
- Population
- 2,291
- Median age
- 43.8
- Under 18
- 19.5%
- 65 and older
- 23.5%
- Households
- 897
- Foreign-born
- 1%
- Veterans
- 4.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Spencer ›
Education in Spencer
16.7% of adults 25 and older in Spencer have a bachelor's degree or higher (West Virginia: 24.1%), and 4.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Spencer
- Unemployment rate
- 16.5%State: 5.4%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 4.2%
- Drive alone
- 77%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 5.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 75%
Spencer vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spencer | 2,291 | $37,639 | $116,800 | $738 |
| Reedy | 292 | $31,875 | $77,100 | — |
| Grantsville | 401 | $28,438 | $55,800 | — |
| Elizabeth | 564 | $22,353 | $87,400 | $552 |
| Ripley | 3,071 | $41,518 | $121,800 | $613 |
| Clendenin | 903 | $69,583 | $116,300 | $820 |
| Newark | 495 | $47,941 | $89,100 | — |
| Ravenswood | 3,830 | $34,241 | $97,600 | $714 |
| Sissonville | 3,593 | $66,944 | $180,800 | $796 |
More for people moving to Spencer
Spencer ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Spencer: FAQ
What is the median household income in Spencer, WV?
The median household income in Spencer is $37,639, 37% lower than the West Virginia median of $59,608 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Spencer?
The median home value in Spencer is $116,800, compared with $162,600 in West Virginia.
How much is rent in Spencer?
The median gross rent in Spencer is $738 per month, about 41.1% of household income.
Is Spencer, WV a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 28% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes. Minuses: median household income 37% lower than the West Virginia median; unemployment of 16.5%; a poverty rate of 33.5%.
What is the median age in Spencer?
The median age in Spencer is 43.8 years (West Virginia: 42.7).
How long is the commute in Spencer?
The average commute to work in Spencer is 21 minutes; 4.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Spencer?
The unemployment rate in Spencer is 16.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Spencer?
16.7% of adults in Spencer have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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