Signals
Spencer
Beatrice
Growth
68 · Top 22%
vs69 · Top 21%
Climate
55 · Bottom 10%
vs58 · Bottom 19%
Physical resilience
28 · Bottom 17%
vs53 · Bottom 47%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
51 · Bottom 14%
vs77 · Top 49%
Economic stability
72 · Top 22%
vs64 · Top 34%
Measured values
| Metric | Spencer | Beatrice | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,461 | 21,629 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $65,428 | $67,247 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $38,651 | $36,811 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 29/sq mi | 25/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $178,600 | $174,000 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $811 | $774 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 73.3% | 73.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.5% | 23.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 11.4% | 12.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 57 | 98 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 3.5 | 4.5 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 171.4% | 117.8% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 85°F | 88°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 8°F | 14°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 26.8" | 31.3" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 78 mi | 41 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 18.4 min | 22.5 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 42.3 | 42.6 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Spencer
Elevated or high exposure: hail, tornado, inland flooding.
Beatrice
Elevated or high exposure: hail, strong wind, tornado.
Full profiles: Spencer, IA Micro Area · Beatrice, NE Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology