Signals
Spencer
Lexington
Growth
68 · Top 22%
vs38 · Bottom 31%
Climate
55 · Bottom 10%
vs60 · Bottom 24%
Physical resilience
28 · Bottom 17%
vs18 · Bottom 8%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
51 · Bottom 14%
vs64 · Bottom 27%
Economic stability
72 · Top 22%
vs78 · Top 16%
Measured values
| Metric | Spencer | Lexington | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,461 | 26,242 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $65,428 | $70,652 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $38,651 | $39,674 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 29/sq mi | 18/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $178,600 | $169,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $811 | $921 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 73.3% | 67.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.5% | 18.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 11.4% | 10.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 57 | 38 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 3.5 | 1.4 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 171.4% | -7.3% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 85°F | 86°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 8°F | 15°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 26.8" | 23.4" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 78 mi | 52 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 18.4 min | 19.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 42.3 | 36.4 | 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.
Lexington
Elevated or high exposure: hail, strong wind, tornado.
Full profiles: Spencer, IA Micro Area · Lexington, NE Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology