About Spencer
Set in the northwestern part of Iowa, Spencer is a close-knit town counting 11,418 people who proudly call it home.
Officially, Spencer is an incorporated city with its own municipal government. The community covers 10.95 square miles, giving it a balanced suburban layout with room to breathe at roughly 1,043 residents per square mile.
📰 Spencer News Today
- Spencer Fall Sports Previews: Girls’ Tennis northwestiowanow.com · Aug 18
- Spencer Fall Sports Previews: Volleyball northwestiowanow.com · Aug 18
- John William Higgins Obituary Jun 17, 2026 nicklasdjensenfh.com · Jun 17
- Ronald Lee Ries Obituary (2026) - Spencer, IA - Warner Funeral Homes & Crematory - Spencer Legacy obituary · Aug 15
- Reid Edward Spencer Obituary Apr 4, 2026 Mitchell Family Funeral Home · Apr 4
Live headlines via Google News — updates through the day.
What Makes Spencer Unique
- One of 13 places in the US named Spencer — but the Iowa one has a character all its own.
- Positioned in northwestern Iowa, convenient to the region's corridors and crossings.
- Part of the fabric of Iowa — one of 1,026 recognized communities statewide.
Why People Love It Here
- The sweet spot: real amenities without big-city congestion.
- Local businesses and schools anchored by a stable resident base of 11,418.
- Well connected: 3+ neighboring communities within 9 miles.
🍽️ Where to Eat in Spencer
- Godfather's Pizza — pizza
- Medlar Coffee Co. (café)
- Pizza Ranch — pizza
- Scooter's Coffee — coffee shop (café)
- Sisters Mainstreet Cafe (café)
- Toad's Roadhouse Coffee (café)
- Weasy's Lounge & Grille
- Spencer Golf and Country Club
Local spots mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.
🎡 Fun Things to Do
- Parker Historical Museum · Museum
- Clay County Heritage Center · Museum
- Parker Museum · Museum
Attractions mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.
🏞️ Parks & Outdoors in Spencer
- Bob Howe - Thunder Bridge Wildlife Refuge · Nature reserve reviews ★
- C Earl Page Park reviews ★
- De Wolf Park reviews ★
- East Leach Park reviews ★
- Fairview Park reviews ★
- North School Park reviews ★
- Oneota Little Sioux Access Park · Nature reserve reviews ★
- Reiter Wildlife Area · Nature reserve reviews ★
- River View Park reviews ★
- Riverton Wildlife Area · Nature reserve reviews ★
- Stolley Gravel Pit Park reviews ★
- Stub Johnson Family Equestrian Area · Nature reserve reviews ★
Parks mapped by the OpenStreetMap community · "reviews" opens each park's live Google reviews.
🏫 Schools in Spencer
- Fairview Park Elementary
- Johnson Elementary
- Lincoln Elementary School
- Spencer High School
- Spencer Middle School
Public schools, U.S. Dept. of Education (NCES) 2023–24 directory.
🏥 Hospitals & Healthcare
- Spencer Municipal Hospital ★★★★ (4/5 CMS rating) · 24/7 ER
Medicare-registered hospitals with official CMS star ratings.
⚡ Quick Facts
StateIowa
TypeCity
Population (2024)11,418
Rank in state#37 of 940
Land area10.95 sq mi
Density1,043/sq mi
Coordinates43.1470, -95.1527