How many renters in Spencer, IA pay more than 30% of their income on rent?

Name: Rent burden in Spencer, IA, 2020–2024
Creator: US Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

38.5% (±11.1 points) of renting households in Spencer, IA spend 30% or more of their household income on gross rent (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

30.6% spend 35% or more.

The median renting household spends 27.0% of its income on rent.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Paying 30% or more: 38.5% (±11.1 points)
Paying 35% or more: 30.6% (±9.3 points)
Median share of income: 27.0% (±2.4 points)

Rent as a share of income in Spencer

Renting households by gross rent as a percentage of household income, 2020–2024
Share of income spent on rent	Spencer	Clay County	Iowa	United States
Less than 15%	13.4% (±5.8 points)	13.7%	17.1%	12.6%
15% to 19.9%	15.4% (±5.6 points)	17.1%	14.6%	12.2%
20% to 24.9%	13.9% (±6.0 points)	14.2%	12.8%	12.6%
25% to 29.9%	18.8% (±10.0 points)	18.5%	11.6%	11.5%
30% to 34.9%	7.9% (±6.0 points)	7.2%	8.7%	9.2%
35% or more	30.6% (±9.3 points)	29.2%	35.2%	41.9%

Households whose income could not be measured against their rent (for example, those reporting no income) are left out of these shares, as the Census Bureau leaves them out.

Spencer against Clay County, its state and the nation

Estimate (90% margin of error)
	Spencer	Clay County	Iowa	United States
Paying 30% or more	38.5% (±11.1 points)	36.4% (±9.8 points)	43.9% (±0.8 points)	51.1%
Paying 35% or more	30.6% (±9.3 points)	29.2% (±8.3 points)	35.2% (±0.6 points)	41.9%
Median share of income	27.0% (±2.4 points)	26.3% (±2.2 points)	27.4% (±0.3 points)	30.6%
Median renter household income	$32,138 (±$8,719)	$35,366 (±$6,572)	$43,297 (±$758)	$52,966
Median gross rent	$805 (±$95)	$811 (±$77)	$972 (±$6)	$1,413

In Spencer, the share of renters paying 30% or more of income is not measurably different from Clay County (36.4%).

It is not measurably different from Iowa (43.9%).

It is lower than the national figure (51.1%).

In Clay County, Spencer ranks 3 of 9 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest share of renters paying 30% or more of income.

Statewide, it ranks 386 of 895.

Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.

Renters paying 30% or more of income in places near Spencer

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Spencer
Place	Distance	Renters paying 30% or more of income	Compared with this place
Spencer	—	38.5% (±11.1 points)	—
Fostoria	6.6 mi	11.1% (±90.2 points)	Not measurably different
Dickens	6.6 mi	0.0% (±141.4 points)	Not measurably different
Everly	8.4 mi	32.2% (±22.8 points)	Not measurably different
Royal	8.7 mi	3.2% (±32.0 points)	Lower
Greenville	9.0 mi	100.0% (±141.4 points)	Not measurably different
Rossie	9.4 mi	25.0% (±110.5 points)	Not measurably different
Ruthven	13 mi	30.0% (±26.9 points)	Not measurably different
Milford	13 mi	37.3% (±20.4 points)	Not measurably different

Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Royal, IA (3.2%).

Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.

Renters paying 30% or more of income across Clay County, place by place

Rank	Place	Renters paying 30% or more of income
1	Greenville	100.0% (±141.4 points)
2	Peterson	56.3% (±79.2 points)
3	Spencer	38.5% (±11.1 points)
4	Webb	33.3% (±82.8 points)
5	Everly	32.2% (±22.8 points)
6	Rossie	25.0% (±110.5 points)
7	Fostoria	11.1% (±90.2 points)
8	Royal	3.2% (±32.0 points)
9	Dickens	0.0% (±141.4 points)

Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).

Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.

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Questions about Spencer

Are renters in Spencer rent-burdened?

38.5% of renting households in Spencer pay 30% or more of their income in gross rent, the share housing researchers usually call rent-burdened (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

What share of income do renters in Spencer spend on rent?

The median renting household in Spencer, IA spends 27.0% (±2.4 points) of its household income on gross rent.

Sources

To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) and detailed tables (acs/acs5) for Spencer city, Iowa (place:74280, in state:19).

Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).

The API needs a free key.

Request a Census API key.

DP04_0136E, DP04_0136M, DP04_0137PE, DP04_0137PM, DP04_0138PE, DP04_0138PM, DP04_0139PE, DP04_0139PM, DP04_0140PE, DP04_0140PM, DP04_0141PE, DP04_0141PM, DP04_0142PE, DP04_0142PM, B25071_001E, B25071_001M, B25119_003E, B25119_003M

This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.