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Palmer, IA

Iowa

Palmer is a small town in Iowa with a population of 114. Residents earn $60,625 per year, which is 19% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
114 Population 271/sq mi density
$60,625 Median Income $46,770 per capita
$36,500 Home Value $131,540 Zillow
47°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$60,625 median income, 1.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$36,500 home value
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,625
19% lower than US avg
Home Value $36,500
87% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.0%
64% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.8%
8% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.9%
47% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 38.1%
207% higher than US avg

How Palmer Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population114
Median Age52.8 yrs
Density271/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 98%
Veterans7.6%

Economy

B
Median Income$60,625
Per Capita$46,770
Unemployment1.9%
Poverty38.1%
County GDP$642M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$36,500
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$131,540
Housing Units97
Rent Burden23.1%

Health

Obesity34.8%
Uninsured6.8%
Smoking15.9%
Depression20.9%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F (8°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain32.8 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation1,239 ft (378 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+12.0%
High School+70.7%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 76% / D 22%
Commute27 min
Broadband78.0%
Libraries9

Is Palmer a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Palmer receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate. Palmer offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Palmer is $60,625, 19% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.9%. The poverty rate of 38.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Palmer is $36,500, 87% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 0.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

12.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 70.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Palmer experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 32.8 inches, including 38.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Palmer has a population of 114 with a density of 271 people per square mile. The median age is 52.8 years, 36% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.2%), with 1.8% Black.

Population

114
Total Population
271
People / sq mi
52.8yrs
Median Age
36% above US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 56.1%
Female 43.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Palmer vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only86.6%
10% above US avg
Spanish13.4%
0% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Palmer vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Palmer is $60,625, which is 19% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 38.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Palmer vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,625
19% below US avg
Per Capita Income$46,770
Avg Weekly Wage$1,015
IRS Avg AGI$71,570

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.9%
47% below US avg
Poverty Rate38.1%
207% above US avg
Establishments (County)265
County GDP$642M

Business (County)

Restaurants12
Healthcare17
Retail26
Manufacturing11

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,850
19% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate7.81%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.0 min
Drive Alone77.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Palmer is $36,500, 87% below the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $131,540.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$36,500
87% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$131,540

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden23.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$738
1 Bedroom$788
2 Bedrooms$989
3 Bedrooms$1,282
4 Bedrooms$1,420

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied92.3%
Housing Units97
Median Year Built1949

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,850
19% below US avg
Effective Rate7.81%
In Palmer, 34.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.8% of residents lack health insurance. 15.9% are current smokers. 20.9% report depression. 23.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Palmer vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.8%
8% above US avg
Diabetes8.7%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure29.3%
Asthma9.7%
COPD5.9%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.9%
14% above US avg
Binge Drinking24.3%
Physical Inactivity23.3%
Depression20.9%
Mental Distress17.5%
Physical Distress11.8%
Short Sleep33.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.5%
Uninsured6.8%
21% below US avg
Checkup Rate74.3%
Dental Visits68.3%
Premature Death9,324/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access73.0%
Healthcare Facilities17
Palmer has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.8 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-9°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.9°F
13% below US avg
January Average17°F (-9°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall32.8 inches
14% below US avg
Snowfall38.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,239 ft (378 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²)
Population Density271/sq mi
Coordinates42.6301°N, 94.5985°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19151
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 12.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (64% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 54-point margin. 78.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76.3%
D 22.3%

Winner: Republican by 54 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.0%
64% below US avg
High School+70.7%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density271/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access78.0%
Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities17
Restaurants12
Retail Stores26

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.0 min
Drive Alone77.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.8%

Nearby Cities

Manson, IA 1,653 pop · 7.6 mi Pocahontas, IA 1,536 pop · 8.1 mi Rockwell City, IA 2,449 pop · 16.1 mi Laurens, IA 1,234 pop · 19.6 mi Humboldt, IA 4,761 pop · 20.0 mi Fort Dodge, IA 24,788 pop · 23.1 mi Sac City, IA 1,782 pop · 24.9 mi Lake City, IA 1,652 pop · 25.9 mi St. Joseph, MO 71,542 pop · 27.2 mi Storm Lake, IA 11,275 pop · 30.4 mi Lake View, IA 1,021 pop · 31.8 mi Emmetsburg, IA 3,651 pop · 33.7 mi Eagle Grove, IA 3,588 pop · 35.5 mi Alta, IA 2,344 pop · 36.0 mi
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