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Palmer, IL

Illinois

Palmer is a small town in Illinois with a population of 233. Residents earn $52,917 per year, which is 30% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
233 Population 233/sq mi density
$52,917 Median Income $27,261 per capita
$80,400 Home Value $124,169 Zillow
$744 Median Rent 19.4% income on rent
54°F Avg Temperature 302 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$52,917 median income, 0.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$80,400 home value, $744/mo rent
F
Education
1.5 / 5.0
6.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $52,917
30% lower than US avg
Home Value $80,400
71% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.2%
82% lower than US avg
Median Rent $744
36% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.5%
11% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.5%
86% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.6%
55% lower than US avg

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

People

Population233
Median Age50.2 yrs
Density233/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans2.6%

Economy

A
Median Income$52,917
Per Capita$27,261
Unemployment0.5%
Poverty5.6%
County GDP$1,970M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$80,400
Rent$744
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$124,169
Housing Units111
Rent Burden19.4%

Health

Obesity35.5%
Uninsured7.3%
Smoking14.3%
Depression23.9%
Heart Disease5.0%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F (12°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.1 in/yr
Sunny Days302/yr
Elevation618 ft (188 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+6.2%
High School+90.4%
Graduate+1.1%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 26%
Commute24 min
Broadband99.0%
Libraries5

Is Palmer a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Palmer receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. 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 $52,917, 30% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.5%. Only 5.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Palmer is $80,400, 71% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $744 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

6.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Palmer experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. With 302 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 38.1 inches, including 16.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Palmer has a population of 233 with a density of 233 people per square mile. The median age is 50.2 years, 29% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (99.6%).

Population

233
Total Population
233
People / sq mi
50.2yrs
Median Age
29% above US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.8%
Female 53.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Palmer vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.1%
26% above US avg
Spanish0.9%
93% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Palmer vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Palmer is $52,917, which is 30% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Palmer vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$52,917
30% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,261
Avg Weekly Wage$982
IRS Avg AGI$68,828

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.5%
86% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.6%
55% below US avg
Establishments (County)706
County GDP$1,970M

Business (County)

Restaurants80
Healthcare58
Retail114
Manufacturing25

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,100
17% above US avg
Cost of Living100.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate5.10%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.0 min
Drive Alone93.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Palmer is $80,400, 71% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $744 (36% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $124,169.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$80,400
71% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$124,169

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$744
36% below US avg
Rent Burden19.4%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$774
1 Bedroom$854
2 Bedrooms$1,063
3 Bedrooms$1,370
4 Bedrooms$1,561

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied89.9%
Housing Units111
Median Year Built1940

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,100
17% above US avg
Effective Rate5.10%
In Palmer, 35.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.3% of residents lack health insurance. 14.3% are current smokers. 23.9% report depression. 21.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.5%
11% above US avg
Diabetes8.7%
Heart Disease5.0%
High Blood Pressure29.9%
Asthma10.5%
COPD6.2%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking14.3%
2% above US avg
Binge Drinking21.5%
Physical Inactivity21.0%
Depression23.9%
Mental Distress18.2%
Physical Distress12.2%
Short Sleep36.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.9%
Uninsured7.3%
15% below US avg
Primary Care1:2,589
Dentists1:4,179
Mental Health1:1,278
Checkup Rate74.9%
Dental Visits64.9%
Premature Death8,451/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access65.9%
Healthcare Facilities58
Palmer has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.1 inches. The area enjoys 302 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-3°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average53.6°F
1% below US avg
January Average28°F (-3°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days302 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.1 inches
0% below US avg
Snowfall16.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation618 ft (188 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density233/sq mi
Coordinates39.4587°N, 89.4079°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17021
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 6.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (82% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 46.7-point margin. 99.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 72.6%
D 25.9%

Winner: Republican by 46.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.2%
82% below US avg
High School+90.4%
Graduate Degree+1.1%
School Test Score5.34
F Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density233/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access99.0%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities58
Restaurants80
Retail Stores114

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.0 min
Drive Alone93.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.7%

Nearby Cities

Kincaid, IL 1,243 pop · 8.9 mi Taylorville, IL 11,149 pop · 8.9 mi Nokomis, IL 2,213 pop · 12.8 mi Raymond, IL 1,065 pop · 13.1 mi Pawnee, IL 2,706 pop · 13.3 mi Edinburg, IL 1,163 pop · 13.8 mi Divernon, IL 1,262 pop · 15.2 mi Pana, IL 5,277 pop · 17.5 mi Assumption, IL 1,117 pop · 19.6 mi Virden, IL 3,165 pop · 19.6 mi Auburn, IL 4,357 pop · 19.7 mi Hillsboro, IL 5,693 pop · 19.8 mi Girard, IL 1,740 pop · 20.0 mi Chatham, IL 14,740 pop · 21.3 mi
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