Spencer, Iowa


Spencer is a city in the state of Iowa, United States, and the county seat of Clay County. It is located at the confluence of the Little Sioux and Ocheyedan rivers. The population was 11,233 in the 2010 census, a decline from 11,317 in 2000. Spencer has a notable Clay County Fair, held annually in September, which averages more than 300,000 visitors each year.
The town's late library cat, Dewey Readmore Books, became known throughout the world before his death in 2006. He was immortalized in the book by Vicki Myron, director of the library, and Bret Witter.

History

Settlers did not arrive in what became Spencer until after the start of the Civil War; the first houses were built in 1866, and the first store was opened in the area in 1869.
In 1899, growth here was stimulated by construction of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway to the settlement. The county seat operated as a trading center for a county devoted to farming. The railroad carried crops and products into and out of the area.
A 1931 fire, ignited by a dropped sparkler, destroyed more than 100 buildings in the town. Using the case of the Spencer Fire along with the Remsen Fire of 1936, the state legislature banned almost all fireworks until 2017, when a relaxed law was passed. As yet, Spencer has not authorized fireworks sale or use in the city.

Geography

Spencer's longitude and latitude coordinates in decimal form are 43.145318, 95.147209.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which is land and is water. At one point Great Lakes Airlines was headquartered in Summit Township, Clay County, near Spencer.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 11,233 people, 5,018 households, and 3,009 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 5,431 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 96.0% White, 0.5% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 1.3% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.5% of the population.
There were 5,018 households of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.0% were non-families. 34.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.80.
The median age in the city was 41.5 years. 23% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.3% were from 25 to 44; 26.5% were from 45 to 64; and 19.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 11,317 people, 4,842 households, and 3,011 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,118.1 people per square mile. There were 5,151 housing units at an average density of 508.9 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 97.57% White, 0.14% African American, 0.13% Native American, 1.11% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 0.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.43% of the population.
There were 4,842 households out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.89.
Age spread: 23.8% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,970, and the median income for a family was $43,145. Males had a median income of $30,537 versus $21,709 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,153. About 7.3% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.3% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

In 2004, Spencer's downtown business district was recognized as historic and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As the county seat and a railroad stop, Spencer also served as a center of trade for the farming county.
Also in 2004, the State Historical Society of Iowa certified the Spencer Downtown Cultural District as one of the initial eight such projects across the state. Spencer's proposal for this designation included remodeling the old Spencer Middle School building as a multi-purpose facility, to include a senior citizen center, affordable housing units, and a restored facade. Future work on the project for the former Middle School will restore the historic auditorium. The State Historical Society designation also recognizes the city's renovation of its Grand Avenue bridge to include a public art work: commissioned stained glass plates in an Art Deco style.
Current cultural attractions in Spencer include the , the Parker House Museum, Clay County Heritage, and various public art displays. Arts on Grand also is a cultural attraction that is a nonprofit organization which is supporting local area artists with a gallery shop, exhibits, classes, workshops, tours, fundraising events, and other activities. The Curiel-Reynolds School of Visual Arts relocated from Detroit, Michigan to Spencer in 2007.
Spencer's Public Library is where the library cat known as Dewey Readmore Books resided from January 18, 1988, until November 29, 2006. His story, with much about the town of Spencer, is told in , by Vicki Myron with Bret Witter, and related children's versions and audio books.

Radio stations

The Spencer Community School District operates public schools.

Infrastructure

Transportation

U.S. Routes 18 and 71 run concurrently for approximately three miles through Spencer.
The Spencer Municipal Airport is located three miles northwest of the business district of Spencer. Great Lakes Airlines was formerly headquartered there. At the height of Great Lake's service, the airline provided non-stop flights to several locations in the continental United States using Beechcraft 1900D and EMB Brasilia aircraft. The airline has since relocated to Cheyenne, Wyoming.
The fixed-base operator is Leading Edge Aviation. They provide aircraft charters, rentals and flight instruction.

Notable people