A field emission display (100) includes a cathode (102) having a plurality of electron emitters (124), an anode (104) opposing the cathode (102), and a composite spacer (108) extending between the anode (104) and the cathode (102). The composite spacer (108) includes a first layer (107), which is made from a dielectric or bulk resistive material, and a conductive layer (109), which is attached to the first layer (107) and is made from a metal, metal alloy, or a ceramic-metal composite material. The height of the composite spacer (108) is greater than 500 micrometers.