Spencer ZIP Codes — Van Buren County, TN

There is one unique ZIP code in Spencer, Tennessee and it is 38585. Area code: 931/423.

ZIP codes

185.04

sq mi land

0.47

sq mi water

931/423

area code

Spencer, TN ZIP code map

About Spencer, TN

Spencer is a charming city located in Van Buren County, Tennessee. Nestled amidst the beautiful Appalachian landscape, it offers a peaceful atmosphere and a strong sense of community. This small town serves as a perfect retreat for those looking to experience the natural beauty and tranquility of rural Tennessee.

Location & geography

Spencer is situated in the central part of Tennessee, surrounded by stunning natural scenery. Nearby cities include McMinnville, located approximately 22 miles to the northeast, and Dunlap, around 17 miles to the southeast. The city covers a substantial land area of 185.04 square miles, with a small water area of 0.47 square miles, featuring rolling hills and lush greenery.

Community & economy

The community in Spencer is tight-knit and friendly, with residents enjoying a slower pace of life in a picturesque setting. The local economy is supported mainly by agriculture, tourism, and small businesses, fostering a diverse and sustainable environment. Daily life in Spencer revolves around community events, outdoor activities, and enjoying the scenic landscapes that the region has to offer.

Transportation

Spencer is accessible via State Route 111, which connects the city to neighboring regions and facilitates transportation for both residents and visitors. The nearest major airport is Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, located approximately 50 miles to the southeast, providing further connectivity for travelers. Public transit options are limited, encouraging residents to rely on personal vehicles for transportation.

History

Spencer was founded in the late 1800s and has since developed a rich history tied to the growth of agriculture in the region. Key industries have included farming and timber, which were essential to the town's early economy. Notable events in Spencer's history include its role as a trade hub for the surrounding rural areas.

Did you know?

One little-known fact about Spencer is that it is named after Spencer Creek, which runs through the area and contributes to the town's lush landscape. Additionally, the serene beauty of nearby Fall Creek Falls State Park makes Spencer a hidden gem for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers.

ZIP codes for Spencer, TN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
38585	Spencer	Van Buren	View map

Demographics & statistics

4,643

Population

42.0

Median age

$43,247

Median household income

$21,058

Per capita income

$126,200

Median home value

$658

Median monthly rent

76.3%

Home ownership

18.7%

Poverty rate

4.8%

Unemployment

1,609

Housing units

8.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

167

Under 5

166

169

5–9

168

147

10–14

146

140

15–19

139

20–24

274

25–34

273

246

35–44

246

277

45–54

277

192

55–59

192

170

60–64

169

321

65–74

320

131

75–84

130

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,169	25.2%
18 and over	3,474	74.8%
65 and over	937	20.2%
Median age	42.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 95.5%

Two or more races 2.9%

Hispanic or Latino 0.6%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.6%

Other race 0.3%

Black or African American 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	4,461	95.5%
Two or more races	134	2.9%
Hispanic or Latino	28	0.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native	26	0.6%
Other race	14	0.3%
Black or African American	8	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 7.3%

$10k–$15k 9.6%

$15k–$25k 13.0%

$25k–$35k 12.1%

$35k–$50k 14.4%

$50k–$75k 18.2%

$75k–$100k 6.5%

$100k–$150k 11.7%

$150k–$200k 6.5%

$200k+ 0.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	7.3%
$10k–$15k	9.6%
$15k–$25k	13.0%
$25k–$35k	12.1%
$35k–$50k	14.4%
$50k–$75k	18.2%
$75k–$100k	6.5%
$100k–$150k	11.7%
$150k–$200k	6.5%
$200k+	0.7%
Median income	$43,247

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 14.0%

$50k–$100k 25.9%

$100k–$150k 20.2%

$150k–$200k 12.9%

$200k–$300k 14.1%

$300k–$500k 8.6%

$500k–$1M 4.0%

$1M+ 0.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$126,200
Median rent / month	$658
Owner occupied	76.3%
Renter occupied	23.7%
Vacant	14.1%
Single-family detached	68.9%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	24.0%
Median rooms	5.5
Avg household size (owned)	2.72

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	13.6%
2000–2009	11.7%
1990–1999	9.8%
1980–1989	15.8%
1970–1979	31.2%
1960–1969	7.4%
1950–1959	3.7%
1940–1949	1.2%
1939 or earlier	5.6%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.7%
1 bedroom	9.5%
2 bedrooms	21.5%
3 bedrooms	57.6%
4 bedrooms	5.0%
5+ bedrooms	5.5%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	11.6%
1 vehicle	33.7%
2 vehicles	29.1%
3 or more	25.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	10.8%
Electricity	62.4%
Propane / LP gas	11.6%
Fuel oil	3.7%
Wood	11.5%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	829	47.7%
Cohabiting couple	115	6.6%
Male householder, no spouse	346	19.9%
Female householder, no spouse	447	25.7%
Households with children under 18	583	33.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	710	40.9%
Average household size	2.61

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	24.7%	17.2%
Married	53.9%	49.3%
Separated	0.8%	3.8%
Widowed	1.9%	12.1%
Divorced	18.7%	17.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 12.1%

Some HS, no diploma 11.2%

HS graduate 44.6%

Some college, no degree 14.2%

Associate's degree 9.3%

Bachelor's degree 5.0%

Graduate / professional 3.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	76.8%
Bachelor's or higher	8.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	121	11.4%
Kindergarten	143	13.5%
Elementary school	465	43.8%
High school	194	18.3%
College / grad school	138	13.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 24.5%

Education & healthcare 22.0%

Public administration 14.6%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.2%

Retail trade 7.6%

Construction 7.1%

Transportation & utilities 4.3%

Agriculture & mining 4.0%

Professional & management 4.0%

Finance & real estate 1.9%

Wholesale trade 1.0%

Other services 0.8%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	33.0%
Service	22.7%
Sales & office	7.7%
Natural resources & construction	11.8%
Production & transportation	24.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	65.0%
Government	27.4%
Self-employed	7.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	82.0%
Carpool	9.4%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	4.4%
Other means	0.2%
Avg commute (minutes)	31.0

Poverty

All people 18.7%

Under 18 years 18.9%

18 and over 18.6%

Married-couple families 9.4%

Female-led households 23.3%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	43.2%
Retirement income	23.5%
Supplemental Security	10.4%
Cash public assistance	1.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	28.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	43.2%
High cholesterol	39.5%
Heart disease	9.4%
Stroke	4.5%
Asthma	11.2%
Arthritis	34.6%
Kidney disease	3.8%
Pulmonary disease	12.9%
Cancer	7.4%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.4%
No physical activity	31.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	36.3%
Fair or poor health	22.7%
Poor mental health	18.5%
Poor physical health	15.3%
No health insurance	19.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)	74.8%
Visited dentist	48.1%
Cholesterol screening	89.0%
Teeth loss	24.4%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	335	9.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	25.5%
Under 18	9.3%
18–64 years	23.2%
65 and over	53.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	43.7%
Public insurance	48.1%
Uninsured under 19	23.5%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	4,310	92.8%
Spanish	128	3.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	128	3.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	4,643	100.0%
Born in same state	4,640	99.9%
Born in different state	3,336	71.9%
Foreign born	3	0.1%
Naturalized citizen	0	0.0%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	649	14%
French	457	9.8%
Italian	382	8.2%
Polish	26	0.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
Norwegian	8	0.2%
German	7	0.2%
English	7	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	37.4%
Internet access	77.2%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Spencer, TN have?

Spencer, TN has one ZIP code: 38585. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.