2017 Spencer Comprehensive Land Use Plan

Spencer, Iowa  2017  Comprehensive Plan

AGE OF HOUSING According to 2013 American Fact Finder by the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 18% of housing units in Spencer were built prior to 1939. In comparison to Clay County and the State of Iowa, the supporting data shows Spencer has fewer housing units 75 years of age or older in comparison. With that said, Spencer also has fewer housing units 40 years of age and newer in comparison to the State of Iowa. By far, much of Spencer’s housing stock (59.6%) was constructed during a 40-year time span from 1940 to 1980. These statistics also coincide with periods of greatest population growth for the community.

2010 to present, 0.6%

2000- 2009, 4.8%

Figure 13 - Age of Housing for Spencer, Clay County and Iowa

1980- 1999, 14.9%

1939 or earlier, 26.1%

2010 to present, 0.7%

2000-2009, 4.8%

1939 or earlier, 18.3%

1980-1999, 16.7%

Clay Co.

1940- 1959, 23.7%

1960- 1979, 29.8%

Spencer

2010 to present, 0.6%

1940-1959, 26.2%

1939 or earlier, 25.9%

2000-2009, 11.8%

1960-1979, 33.4%

1980-1999, 18.4%

Iowa

Source: 2013 American Fact Finder, U.S. Census Bureau

1940-1959, 17.4%

1960-1979, 25.8%

When compared to cities of comparable size, Spencer has older housing stock than three of the six cities identified. However, the cities of Storm Lake, Clear Lake, and Le Mars have a much higher percentage of buildings built prior to 1939 when compared to Spencer. When considering newer housing constructed since 2000, Spencer and Clay County both shows 5.6% of the total housing stock as compared to the statewide average of 12.3%. In comparison with cities of similar size, Spencer also has a lower percentage of newer housing stock. This is relative to cities such as Sioux Center, Storm Lake, Carroll, and Clear Lake.

Figure 14 - Comparative year housing units were built.

Age of Housing Stock - Spencer and comparible cities

35.0%

30.0%

25.0%

20.0%

15.0%

10.0%

5.0%

0.0%

Spencer

Sioux Center

LeMars

Storm Lake Spirit Lake

Carrol

Clear Lake

2010+ 2000-2009 1980-1999 1960-1979 1940-1959 1939-

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NW Iowa Planning & Development