Spencer, West Virginia

Spencer, West Virginia
City
Skyline of Spencer from a nearby park
Location of Spencer, West Virginia
Coordinates: 38°48′6″N 81°21′6″W / 38.80167°N 81.35167°W / 38.80167; -81.35167Coordinates: 38°48′6″N 81°21′6″W / 38.80167°N 81.35167°W / 38.80167; -81.35167
Country	United States
State	West Virginia
County	Roane
Area[1]
• Total	1.28 sq mi (3.32 km2)
• Land	1.26 sq mi (3.26 km2)
• Water	0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2)
Elevation	748 ft (228 m)
Population (2010)[2]
• Total	2,322
• Estimate (2012[3])	2,252
• Density	1,842.9/sq mi (711.5/km2)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	25276
Area code(s)	304
FIPS code	54-75820[4]
GNIS feature ID	1547124[5]

Spencer is a city in Roane County, West Virginia, USA. Originally known as "California," Spencer was chartered in 1858, and named after Spencer Roane (1762–1822), a distinguished jurist from Virginia, who served on the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, and for whom Roane county was named.^[6][7] The population was 2,322 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Roane County.^[8] Spencer is the home of the annual West Virginia Black Walnut Festival.^[9] Points of interest include Charles Fork Lake, Chrystal Water and Power Company-Spencer Water and Ice Company, the McIntosh Mansion, and the Robey Theatre.

Geography

Spencer is located at 38°48′6″N 81°21′6″W / 38.80167°N 81.35167°W / 38.80167; -81.35167 (38.801690, -81.351689).^[10] Spring Creek flows through the city.^[11]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.28 square miles (3.32 km²), of which, 1.26 square miles (3.26 km²) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km²) is water.^[1]

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Spencer has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.^[12]

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census^[2] of 2010, there were 2,322 people, 1,005 households, and 578 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,842.9 inhabitants per square mile (711.5/km²). There were 1,180 housing units at an average density of 936.5 per square mile (361.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.5% White, 0.1% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.7% of the population.

There were 1,005 households of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.5% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.5% were non-families. 37.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.94.

The median age in the city was 40.2 years. 23.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.5% were from 25 to 44; 26.3% were from 45 to 64; and 18.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.7% male and 53.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census^[4] of 2000, there were 2,352 people, 1,005 households, and 614 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,984.3 people per square mile (763.1/km²). There were 1,154 housing units at an average density of 973.6 per square mile (374.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.62% White, 0.13% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 0.04% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.77% of the population.

There were 1,005 households out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.2% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 35.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 22.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $19,773, and the median income for a family was $28,500. Males had a median income of $28,000 versus $16,452 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,976. About 24.9% of families and 31.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.8% of those under age 18 and 21.4% of those age 65 or over.

Notable natives and residents

• Ruby Bradley, Colonel, US Army, 1907–2002
• Derek Hardman, Offensive tackle for the National Football League's Detroit Lions
• Debbie Hersman, Chairperson, National Transportation Safety Board, 2009-^[15]

References

External links

• City of Spencer Website

Municipalities and communities of Roane County, West Virginia, United States
County seat: Spencer
City	Spencer
Town	Reedy
Unincorporated communities	Alvord Amma Billings Bright Buffalo Lick Cicerone Clio Clover Cotton Countsville Depue Elana Flatfork Gandeeville Grace Graux Harmony Iola Jingo Kester Kettle Lattimer Leaning Oak Left Hand Linden Liverpool‡ Looneyville Morning Star Mount Olive Nancy Run Newton Osbornes Mills Otto Patsey Peniel Pigeon Red Knob Reedyville Roxalana Ryan Shad Slate Speed Stringtown Sunflower Tariff Triplett Uler Vicars Virgil Wallback‡ Walton Zona
Ghost towns	Higby July‡ Leo Mattie Pad Woodyard
Footnotes	‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties