Spencer is a town in Van Buren County, Tennessee, United States. As of the 2020 census, Spencer had a population of 1,462. It is the county seat of Van Buren County. It is home to Fall Creek Falls State Park.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

ZIP code38585

Area code931

Living in Spencer

Housing in Spencer

$220K▼ 0.8% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Spencer home is worth about $220,000, down 0.8% in a year, 34% below the Tennessee typical home.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Spencer

—

Not graded

A grade needs all of the FBI's latest years (2023–2025). Spencer's police department reported only 2024, so we don't grade it yet. The figures below are still real.

Violent crime per 1,000

Spencer 1.3

Tennessee 6

U.S. 3.6

Property crime per 1,000

Spencer 6.4

Tennessee 20.7

U.S. 17.7

FBI crime data, 2024 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Spencer

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Spencer for work: only 14% work in town. The top destinations are Sparta (12%), Cookeville (9%) and McMinnville (6%). Half commute less than 28 miles.

Sparta

12%

Cookeville

McMinnville

Murfreesboro

14%Work in townlive and work in Spencer 28 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 534Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Spencer →

Health in Spencer

Health Grade D

Healthier than 11% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 35% of towns with similar incomes.

Compared with Tennessee

1better than TN·9worse

of 26 measures CDC estimates. The other 16 are too close to call.

Conditions 8▼ 4 close Habits all close Care 1▲ 6 close Mind 1▼ 2 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

79.8%More adults treating high blood pressureTN 76.2% · better 11.7%More adults with COPDTN 8.6% · worse

Care nearby

Saint Thomas Highlands HospitalSparta · 14.5 mi · ER

Van Buren County Health Department Community Health CenterSpencer · 0.9 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careNo shortage

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Spencer · CMS · HRSAHealth in Spencer →

Natural hazards in Spencer

High

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 70% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🥶 Cold waves🌪️ Tornadoes

0Does Spencer flood?no paid flood claims on record 4Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Spencer

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Spencer →

Climate in Spencer

Full climate →

Spencer has chilly winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 85°, a January night drops to 28°, and about 5 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

48° / 30°Winter

67° / 46°Spring

83° / 63°Summer

68° / 47°Fall

How much snow does Spencer get?About 5 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 19, with the last in spring around Apr 21.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+0.8° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Spencer →

Schools in Spencer

All Spencer schools →

B⁻

School Grade B-

The public schools Spencer’s kids attend trail 54% of Tennessee’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they sit near the middle.

DistrictVan Buren CountySchools2

Spencer Elementary BElementary · Grades PK–5 · 372 students Van Buren Co High School C+High · Grades 6–12 · 384 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results, graded within TN. Ratings are from neighbors.