Signals
Spencer
Hereford
Growth
68 · Top 22%
vs50 · Top 48%
Climate
55 · Bottom 10%
vs67 · Top 49%
Physical resilience
28 · Bottom 17%
vs41 · Bottom 30%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs99 · Top 30%
Access
51 · Bottom 14%
vs66 · Bottom 31%
Economic stability
72 · Top 22%
vs47 · Bottom 45%
Measured values
| Metric | Spencer | Hereford | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,461 | 18,460 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $65,428 | $60,799 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $38,651 | $25,625 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 29/sq mi | 12/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $178,600 | $121,300 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $811 | $926 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 73.3% | 66.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.5% | 11.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 11.4% | 17.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 57 | 38 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 3.5 | 2.1 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 171.4% | 46.2% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 85°F | 92°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 8°F | 23°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 26.8" | 19.3" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 78 mi | 54 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 18.4 min | 18.7 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 42.3 | 31.3 | 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.
Hereford
Elevated or high exposure: hail, cold wave, wildfire.
Full profiles: Spencer, IA Micro Area · Hereford, TX Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology