Palmer, KS

Kansas

Palmer is a small town in Kansas with a population of 138. Residents earn $46,250 per year, which is 38% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
138 Population 445/sq mi density
$46,250 Median Income $27,019 per capita
$93,800 Home Value
$563 Median Rent 11.5% income on rent
53°F Avg Temperature 302 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$46,250 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$93,800 home value, $563/mo rent
C+
Education
3.0 / 5.0
24.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $46,250
38% lower than US avg
Home Value $93,800
67% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.7%
27% lower than US avg
Median Rent $563
52% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.0%
9% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 16.1%
30% higher than US avg

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

People

Population138
Median Age35.0 yrs
Density445/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 96%
Veterans95.0%

Economy

B
Median Income$46,250
Per Capita$27,019
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty16.1%
County GDP$293M
Commute16 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$93,800
Rent$563
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units71
Rent Burden11.5%

Health

Obesity35.0%
Uninsured9.0%
Smoking17.2%
Depression22.5%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F (12°C)
AQI39 (Good)
Rain32.4 in/yr
Sunny Days302/yr
Elevation1,334 ft (407 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.7%
High School+88.2%
Graduate+3.1%
School Score5.80

Community

2024 VoteR 84% / D 15%
Commute16 min
Broadband58.0%
Libraries2

Is Palmer a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Palmer receives an overall livability score of 3.8 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 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 $46,250, 38% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 16.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Palmer is $93,800, 67% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $563 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

24.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Palmer experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. With 302 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 32.4 inches, including 14.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Palmer has a population of 138 with a density of 445 people per square mile. The median age is 35.0 years, 10% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.7%).

Population

138
Total Population
445
People / sq mi
35.0yrs
Median Age
10% below US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.2%
Female 55.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Palmer vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.3%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.7%
50% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Palmer vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Palmer is $46,250, which is 38% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 16.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Palmer vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$46,250
38% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,019
Avg Weekly Wage$757
IRS Avg AGI$68,265

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate16.1%
30% above US avg
Establishments (County)294
County GDP$293M

Business (County)

Restaurants11
Healthcare19
Retail29
Manufacturing8

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,780
21% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.96%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.4 min
Drive Alone86.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Palmer is $93,800, 67% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $563 (52% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$93,800
67% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$563
52% below US avg
Rent Burden11.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$702
1 Bedroom$753
2 Bedrooms$947
3 Bedrooms$1,223
4 Bedrooms$1,397

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied62.1%
Housing Units71
Median Year Built1953

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,780
21% below US avg
Effective Rate2.96%
In Palmer, 35.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 9.0% of residents lack health insurance. 17.2% are current smokers. 22.5% report depression. 27.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.0%
9% above US avg
Diabetes9.2%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure30.4%
Asthma10.4%
COPD6.8%
Cancer7.3%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking17.2%
23% above US avg
Binge Drinking18.9%
Physical Inactivity27.3%
Depression22.5%
Mental Distress18.3%
Physical Distress12.5%
Short Sleep36.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.8%
Uninsured9.0%
5% above US avg
Checkup Rate73.7%
Dental Visits63.8%
Premature Death6,165/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.3/10
Exercise Access32.7%
Healthcare Facilities19
Palmer has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.4 inches. The area enjoys 302 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average52.9°F
2% below US avg
January Average26°F (-3°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days302 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall32.4 inches
15% below US avg
Snowfall14.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,334 ft (407 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²)
Population Density445/sq mi
Coordinates39.6329°N, 97.1404°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS20201
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 24.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (27% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 69.1-point margin. 58.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 83.8%
D 14.7%

Winner: Republican by 69.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.7%
27% below US avg
High School+88.2%
Graduate Degree+3.1%
School Test Score5.80
C+ Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density445/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access58.0%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities19
Restaurants11
Retail Stores29

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.4 min
Drive Alone86.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.9%

Nearby Cities

Washington, KS 1,199 pop · 13.6 mi Clay Center, KS 4,148 pop · 17.4 mi Concordia, KS 5,067 pop · 27.3 mi Belleville, KS 2,036 pop · 29.4 mi Wakefield, KS 1,031 pop · 29.5 mi Marysville, KS 3,423 pop · 30.4 mi Fairbury, NE 3,905 pop · 35.4 mi Fort Riley, KS 8,595 pop · 40.4 mi Manhattan, KS 53,951 pop · 41.9 mi Wymore, NE 1,287 pop · 42.2 mi Ogden, KS 1,628 pop · 43.0 mi Hebron, NE 1,641 pop · 43.9 mi Junction City, KS 22,431 pop · 44.6 mi Grandview Plaza, KS 1,801 pop · 45.4 mi
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