2017 Spencer Comprehensive Land Use Plan

Spencer, Iowa  2017  Comprehensive Plan

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT OF SPENCER RESIDENTS According to the 2014 American Community Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 817 persons in Spencer between the ages of 18 to 24 years. Of these college age residents, 20.1% achieved a high school diploma or equivalency, 51.7% achieved some college or an Associate’s Degree, and 11.1% achieved a Bachelor’s Degree or higher. This data does not account for those persons in this age group that may still be furthering their educations. In comparison, statistics show there are 7,930 residents of Spencer over the age of 25. Of these residents, 2.2% indicated they had less than a 9 th grade education, 4.8% attended high school but did not graduate, and 39.0% achieved a high school diploma or equivalency. Furthermore, 20% of Spencer residents indicated they attended some college, 15.6% obtained an Associate’s Degree, 14.9% obtained a Bachelor’s Degree and 3.4% of the population achieved a Graduate or professional degree.

Figure 22 - Educational Attainment of Spencer, Clay County and Iowa residents, 2014

40.0%

35.0%

30.0%

25.0%

20.0%

15.0%

Percent Educated

10.0%

5.0%

0.0%

Less than 9th

9th-12th Grade

High School

Some College 20.0%

Associate Degree

Bachelor Degree

Grad/Prof Degree

Spencer

2.2%

4.8%

39.0%

15.6%

14.9%

3.4%

Clay County

1.8%

4.7%

38.1%

22.0%

14.9%

14.6%

3.9%

Iowa

3.5%

5.2%

32.5%

21.6%

10.8%

18.0%

8.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010-2014 American Community Survey 5 year estimates

71 | P a g e

NW Iowa Planning & Development