Spencer District Court, formally known as the Clay County District Court, is in the Third judicial district of Iowa, US 18 generally splits the county between upper and lower halves and US 71 between Eastern and Western halves.

Spencer does not lack for cultural activities. Arts on Grand is a facility, operated by the Spencer Area Arts Council, housing an art gallery with studios, classrooms, performance space and a shop displaying original art by area artists. The Spencer Community theatre, which is housed in a 1910 remodeled grocery, presents dramatic and musical performances during the year and occasional performance at the Clay County Regional Events Center. Through the generosity of the Parker family of Spencer, the Parker museum is now located in what was their home. The Clay County Regional Events center has hosted such events as the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey circus and performances by various musical groups.