Spencer ZIP Codes — Clay County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Spencer, Iowa and it is 51301. Area code: 712.

ZIP codes

157.67

sq mi land

0.87

sq mi water

712

area code

Spencer, IA ZIP code map

About Spencer, IA

Spencer is a charming city located in Clay County, Iowa, known for its welcoming community and rich history. Situated in the northwestern part of the state, Spencer offers a blend of small-town charm and modern amenities. The city is well-regarded for its local events and vibrant community life, making it an attractive destination for both residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Spencer, IA, encompasses a land area of 157.67 square miles with a water area of 0.87 square miles. It is conveniently located near several neighboring cities, including Estherville, which is approximately 22 miles to the north, Spirit Lake at about 20 miles to the northeast, and Okoboji, around 25 miles to the east. The terrain is primarily flat, characteristic of the Midwest, with scenic landscapes that enhance its rural appeal.

Community & economy

The character of Spencer is defined by its friendly residents and strong sense of community. Agriculture and retail play significant roles in its economy, with many local businesses contributing to the daily life of citizens. The city hosts various community events throughout the year that foster local culture and bring people together, highlighting Spencer's commitment to community engagement.

Transportation

Spencer is serviced by U.S. Route 18 and Iowa Highway 71, providing vital connections to other cities and regions. The nearest major airport is the airport in Sioux City, which lies about 90 miles to the south, offering further transportation options for residents and visitors. Public transportation options in the area are limited, with most residents relying on personal vehicles for daily commuting.

History

Spencer was founded in the late 19th century and has since developed a vibrant local economy primarily focused on agriculture and retail. Over the years, it has also built a reputation for hosting various festivals and events, reflecting the pride and history of its residents. Spencer's notable events include the Clay County Fair, a major annual attraction that draws visitors from across the region.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Spencer is that it is home to the famous Clay County Fair, one of the largest county fairs in the United States, which has been a staple of Iowa culture for over a century. Additionally, the city features the historic Spencer Depot, which showcases its rich railroad history and serves as a reminder of the city’s growth during the expansion of the railways.

ZIP codes for Spencer, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
51301	Spencer	Clay	View map

Demographics & statistics

12,326

Population

41.5

Median age

$59,987

Median household income

$35,930

Per capita income

$160,600

Median home value

$739

Median monthly rent

70.4%

Home ownership

12.6%

Poverty rate

4.8%

Unemployment

4,416

Housing units

27.5%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

296

Under 5

328

360

5–9

401

458

10–14

509

354

15–19

394

340

20–24

378

594

25–34

661

747

35–44

829

622

45–54

692

315

55–59

349

476

60–64

528

638

65–74

709

432

75–84

480

207

85+

229

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	2,827	22.9%
18 and over	9,499	77.1%
65 and over	2,695	21.9%
Median age	41.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 91.7%

Two or more races 3.9%

Hispanic or Latino 2.4%

Other race 0.9%

Black or African American 0.5%

Asian 0.4%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	11,580	91.7%
Two or more races	499	3.9%
Hispanic or Latino	308	2.4%
Other race	111	0.9%
Black or African American	67	0.5%
Asian	49	0.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native	20	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 2.9%

$10k–$15k 4.3%

$15k–$25k 13.1%

$25k–$35k 9.9%

$35k–$50k 13.6%

$50k–$75k 16.1%

$75k–$100k 14.2%

$100k–$150k 15.9%

$150k–$200k 6.9%

$200k+ 3.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.9%
$10k–$15k	4.3%
$15k–$25k	13.1%
$25k–$35k	9.9%
$35k–$50k	13.6%
$50k–$75k	16.1%
$75k–$100k	14.2%
$100k–$150k	15.9%
$150k–$200k	6.9%
$200k+	3.1%
Median income	$59,987

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.4%

$50k–$100k 17.0%

$100k–$150k 26.6%

$150k–$200k 18.7%

$200k–$300k 20.2%

$300k–$500k 13.3%

$500k–$1M 1.6%

$1M+ 0.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$160,600
Median rent / month	$739
Owner occupied	70.4%
Renter occupied	29.6%
Vacant	8.5%
Single-family detached	70.6%
Large apartment buildings	6.9%
Mobile homes	1.5%
Median rooms	5.8
Avg household size (owned)	2.28

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.3%
2010–2019	5.2%
2000–2009	10.2%
1990–1999	7.3%
1980–1989	10.5%
1970–1979	17.8%
1960–1969	9.0%
1950–1959	11.2%
1940–1949	4.8%
1939 or earlier	23.9%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.3%
1 bedroom	11.1%
2 bedrooms	28.4%
3 bedrooms	39.1%
4 bedrooms	15.8%
5+ bedrooms	4.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.7%
1 vehicle	34.8%
2 vehicles	42.2%
3 or more	18.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	52.8%
Electricity	41.1%
Propane / LP gas	4.7%
Wood	0.9%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,282	41.2%
Cohabiting couple	361	6.5%
Male householder, no spouse	1,174	21.2%
Female householder, no spouse	1,724	31.1%
Households with children under 18	1,396	25.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,750	31.6%
Average household size	2.17

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	31.3%	29.2%
Married	51.4%	46.6%
Separated	0.7%	0.6%
Widowed	5.3%	11.1%
Divorced	11.2%	12.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.2%

Some HS, no diploma 3.6%

HS graduate 32.2%

Some college, no degree 24.4%

Associate's degree 12.0%

Bachelor's degree 18.8%

Graduate / professional 8.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	96.1%
Bachelor's or higher	27.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	208	7.2%
Kindergarten	277	9.5%
Elementary school	1,242	42.7%
High school	646	22.2%
College / grad school	534	18.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 24.6%

Retail trade 14.2%

Manufacturing 11.0%

Professional & management 8.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.5%

Finance & real estate 7.3%

Construction 6.2%

Transportation & utilities 5.3%

Other services 4.0%

Public administration 3.1%

Agriculture & mining 2.9%

Wholesale trade 2.4%

Information 1.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	34.3%
Service	15.4%
Sales & office	26.4%
Natural resources & construction	8.8%
Production & transportation	15.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	83.9%
Government	11.8%
Self-employed	4.4%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	79.8%
Carpool	7.5%
Public transit	1.2%
Walk	3.7%
Other means	0.1%
Avg commute (minutes)	15.4

Poverty

All people 12.6%

Under 18 years 21.0%

18 and over 10.0%

Married-couple families 1.9%

Female-led households 43.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	34.5%
Retirement income	24.4%
Supplemental Security	3.9%
Cash public assistance	6.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	12.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	34.2%
High cholesterol	34.7%
Heart disease	7.4%
Stroke	3.4%
Asthma	9.3%
Arthritis	27.4%
Kidney disease	3.2%
Pulmonary disease	7.3%
Cancer	7.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	20.7%
No physical activity	25.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.1%
Fair or poor health	13.5%
Poor mental health	13.3%
Poor physical health	10.0%
No health insurance	9.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	75.5%
Visited dentist	65.6%
Cholesterol screening	88.8%
Teeth loss	13.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	745	7.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	15.7%
Under 18	7.4%
18–64 years	14.1%
65 and over	29.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	66.4%
Public insurance	42.9%
Uninsured under 19	0.3%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	11,702	94.9%
Spanish	60	0.5%
Other Indo-European	50	0.4%
Asian & Pacific Islander	2	0.0%
Other languages	8	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	12,191	98.9%
Born in same state	12,100	98.2%
Born in different state	8,950	72.6%
Foreign born	91	0.7%
Naturalized citizen	135	1.1%
Not a US citizen	59	43.7%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	1,455	11.8%
Italian	1,335	10.8%
French	774	6.3%
Dutch	570	4.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	539	4.4%
English	484	3.9%
German	16	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	45.0%
Internet access	94.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Spencer, IA have?

Spencer, IA has one ZIP code: 51301. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.