Spencer
Indiana

What stands out

What stands out about Spencer County: the school test score is among the highest in America (4.07 where 3.0 is grade level), rainfall is in the top 7% of American counties (55 inches a year), and the restaurant count per person is in the bottom 7% of American counties (0.3 per 1,000). Within Indiana it ranks 1st of 92 counties for the school test score.

Where you are

You live in Spencer County, Indiana. 19,935 people live here with you. The population grew 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +137).

Indiana has a flat income tax just under 3% and most counties add their own income tax on top, typically 1% to 2.5%. Property taxes are capped by the state constitution at 1% of assessed value for homesteads. Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and the Chicago suburbs in Lake County account for most of the growth; the rest of the state is affordable and slow-changing.

Money

The typical household here brings in $66,168 a year, higher than 65% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $48,388. Unemployment runs 2.6%, lower than 78% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home.

Indiana takes 3.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,952 a year.

Home

The median home costs $234K, pricier than 50% of American counties, about 1.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $779 a month. Property tax is 0.65% of home value, roughly $1,089 a year on that median home, lower than 72% of American counties. 80% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 59% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 11 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 76.5 years, longer than 58% of American counties. There are 8 active physicians in the county, about 4.0 per 10,000 people. 7.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.89 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than almost every county in America. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 44 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 68% of eligible voters turned out. Under Indiana law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is illegal.

Weather and risk

The year averages 57°F, highs near 67 and lows near 46, warmer than 54% of American counties. About 55 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 40 out of 100, safer than 60% of American counties; the county has had 15 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 181 Mbps down, slower than 58% of American counties. For a night or a weekend out: 0.3 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 National Park Service site.