Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 15 h 23 min5:41 am – 9:03 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 8 h 59 min7:49 am – 4:48 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People12,638 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 41.85,680 householdsMedian household income $63,402Median home value $188,300Median rent $807 a month70% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $2,338 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting4.0% unemployment rate65% of adults are in the labour force, 6,214 employedMain industries: education and health care 29%, retail 14%, manufacturing 11%Average commute 16 minutes81% drive alone, 8% car-pool, 1% take public transport, 4% walk or cycle, 6% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages29% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher93% finished high school, 8% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 97%, Spanish 3%2% speak English less than very wellSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 84°F, lows 62°FColdest month January: highs 25°F, lows 7°F31 in of rain a year, on about 59 dayswettest month June43 in of snow a year, on about 24 days16 days above 90°F, 161 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Spencer 1 N station
Nearby landmarksOcheyedan Riverriver · 1.2 miPetes Pondlake · 1.4 miRound Lakelake · 9.6 miSource: USGS Geographic Names Information System
Parks and public landsReiter Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · under a mile · 348 acresPederson Memorial Park & Cardinal Fieldrecreation area · 1.0 miWest Leach Fieldpark · 1.1 miOcheydan Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 2.8 mi · 113 acresHawk Valley Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 4.3 mi · 1,450 acresOcheyedan Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 4.6 mi · 491 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
EarthquakesNone of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 1970Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Very LowClay County, IA, compared with all US countiesHighest-rated hazardsHail Relatively ModerateWinter weather Relatively ModerateSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality72% of days had good air in 2025263 of 364 days measured92 moderate, 9 unhealthy for sensitive groups daysMedian index 40, worst day 134main pollutant: fine particles (PM2.5)Source: US EPA Air Quality Index, nearest monitors: Palo Alto County, IA, 25 mi away
Internet at home90% of households have a broadband subscription74% have cable, fibre or DSL13% rely on a mobile data plan alone4% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterSpencer Municipal Water Utilityserves 11,325 people from ground waterNo health-based violations since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation1,320 ft402 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalSpencer Hospitalunder a milePost officeSpencer Post Officeunder a mileTown hallSpencer City Hallunder a milePoliceSpencer Police Departmentunder a mileFire stationSpencer Fire Department1.1 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 mi7 schools3 elementary, 1 middle, 1 high, 2 otherSchoolSacred Heart Catholic Schoolunder a mileElementaryFairview Elementary Schoolunder a mileElementaryJohnson Elementary Schoolunder a mileSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportFort Dodge Regional Airport FOD64 miMajor airportEppley Airfield OMA133 miInterstateI-9034 miUS highwayUS 71under a mileSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 51301 ZIP area.
