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Spencer, MA

Frequently asked questions

Spencer, MA

Spencer is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 11,992 at the 2020 census.

Spencer was first settled in 1717 by Nathaniel Wood, and first permanently settled by Samuel Bemis in 1721. Spencer is located in central Worcester County, twenty minutes west of Worcester via Route 9, and about forty-five east of Springfield via Routes 49, 20, and the Massachusetts Turnpike. It was officially incorporated on April 12, 1753, splitting from the town of Leicester. Spencer was named after the then-acting governor of Massachusetts, Spencer Phips. Spencer was the home of the Howe family of inventors, including Elias Howe, who perfected the lockstitch sewing machine.

In 1784, Spencer was a major stopping place on the Old Boston Post Road's stage route between Boston and Hartford, and on to New York. Passengers changed stages in Spencer, as one coach would come from Boston and connect with one coming north from Hartford. Each stagecoach would turn around and return whence it came. Travelers often stopped for the night at Jenk's Tavern in Spencer, as did General Henry Knox, pushing his cannons through the streets of the town on his way to Boston from Ticonderoga, and George Washington in 1789. Spencer still has colonial-era milestone markers showing the route of the old post road.

When the War of Independence broke out in 1775 it found Spencer ready to take part; fifty-six men under Captain Ebenezer Mason immediately set out to Boston. Many of these men later took part in the Battle of Bunker Hill. A total of 313 Spencer men are known to have served in the Civil War; thirty-two lost their lives in the service of their country.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 34.0 square miles (88 km2), of which 32.8 square miles (85 km2) is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2), or 3.52%, is water.

The town, roughly rectangular, is bounded on the east by Leicester, on the south by Charlton, on the west by East Brookfield and North Brookfield, on the northwest by New Braintree, on the north by Oakham, and on the northeast by Paxton. It is divided into quarters by north-south Route 31 and east-west Route 9. A third state highway, Route 49, connects the town's western portions with nearby Sturbridge.

Spencer has many acres of preserved parks and hiking areas, such as the Burncoat Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, which is protected by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, and Spencer State Forest/Howe State Park, marking the birthplace of inventor Elias Howe.

Spencer places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. UMass Memorial Health – Harrington at Spencer offers a top-notch medical staff and a full spectrum of high-quality, state-of-the-art healthcare services. For a more structured workout, visit Guaranteed Fitness which provides a full range of fitness classes and personal training sessions. Beyond Yoga & Wellness provides various yoga classes catering to different levels and needs, promoting flexibility and mindfulness. Spencer Parks and Recreation manages recreational programs including sports leagues, fitness workshops, and wellness events throughout the year. Pioneer Valley CrossFit offers high-intensity CrossFit workouts promoting strength and conditioning. Spencer Trails provides scenic trails for hiking and biking, encouraging outdoor exercise and exploration. Spencer Holistic provides holistic healing services including acupuncture, massage therapy, and herbal remedies
 

Top Sites in Spencer, MA are The Spencer Fair, Spencer State Forest, and Mass Audubon Burncoat Pond Wildlife Sanctuary.
 

ZIP Code: 01562. Elevation: 282 m. Area code: 508 / 774. Area: 34.0 square miles (88 km2). Population: 11,992 (2020).

FAQs

What is the median income in Spencer, MA?

Spencer is a city located in Worcester County Massachusetts. Spencer has a 2024 population of 5,464. Spencer is currently declining at a rate of -1.55% annually and its population has decreased by -5.96% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 5,810 in 2020. The average household income in Spencer is $76,399 with a poverty rate of 8.18%. The median age in Spencer is 49.7 years: 46.2 years for males, and 51.6 years for females.

Is Spencer, MA a nice place to live?

Spencer is a with a population of 11,955. Spencer is in Worcester County. Living in Spencer offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Spencer, there are a lot of parks. Many young professionals live in Spencer and residents tend to lean liberal.

What is the crime rate in Spencer, MA?

With a crime rate for both violent and property crime combined of 6 per 1,000 residents, the crime rate in Spencer is one of the lower rates in America among communities of all sizes (lower than 66% of America's communities). One's chance of becoming a victim of crime in Spencer is one in 157. Compared to communities within Massachusetts, Spencer‘s crime rate is lower than nearly 51% of the state's cities and towns. Compared to other communities of similar population size, Spencer has a crime rate that is noticeably lower than the average. This means that for comparably sized cities all across America, Spencer is safer than most according to NeighborhoodScout's exclusive analysis of FBI crime data.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Spencer

Niche

Neighborhood Scout

World Population Review

The Spencer Fair 

Spencer State Forest 

Mass Audubon Burncoat Pond Wildlife Sanctuary

UMass Memorial Health – Harrington

Guaranteed Fitness

Beyond Yoga & Wellness

Pioneer Valley CrossFit 

Spencer Holistic

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