Palmer Lake, CO

Colorado · Metropolitan Area

Palmer Lake is a small town in Colorado with a population of 2,635. Residents earn $122,855 per year, which is 63% above the national average.

4.7 /5.0
A+ Excellent
2,635 Population 853/sq mi density
$122,855 Median Income $51,872 per capita
$454,000 Home Value $528,830 Zillow
$1,913 Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
A+
Overall
4.7 / 5.0
Excellent overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.7 / 5.0
$122,855 median income, 4.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$454,000 home value, $1,913/mo rent
A+
Education
4.7 / 5.0
46.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $122,855
63% higher than US avg
Home Value $454,000
61% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 46.3%
37% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,913
64% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 25.9%
19% lower than US avg
Unemployment 4.3%
19% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,635
Median Age49.4 yrs
Density853/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 84%

Economy

A+
Median Income$122,855
Per Capita$51,872
Unemployment4.3%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$31,178M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$454,000
Rent$1,913
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$528,830

Crime

Violent0/100K
Property0/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary0/100K

Health

Obesity25.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.9%
Heart Disease4.3%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain22.5 in/yr
Elevation7,138 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+46.3%
High School+97.6%
School Score5.90

Community

2024 VoteR 52% / D 45%
Commute27 min
EV Stations2
Libraries7

Is Palmer Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Palmer Lake receives an overall livability score of 4.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low crime rates, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Palmer Lake stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Palmer Lake is $122,855, which is significantly higher than the national average — 63% above $75,149. This places Palmer Lake among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 4.3%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Palmer Lake is $454,000, making it a premium housing market at 61% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,913 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 3.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Palmer Lake is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 0 per 100,000, 100% below the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 46.3% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 97.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Palmer Lake experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 22.5 inches, including 121.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Palmer Lake has a population of 2,635 with a density of 853 people per square mile. The median age is 49.4 years, 27% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (83.8%), with 2.3% Black.

Population

2,635
Total Population
853
People / sq mi
49.4yrs
Median Age
27% above US avg
3.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.8%
Female 49.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Palmer Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only89.2%
14% above US avg
Spanish10.8%
19% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Palmer Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Palmer Lake is $122,855, which is 63% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Palmer Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$122,855
63% above US avg
Per Capita Income$51,872
Avg Weekly Wage$1,634
IRS Avg AGI$146,479

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.3%
19% above US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)16,132
County GDP$31,178M

Business (County)

Restaurants647
Healthcare1,115
Retail955
Manufacturing156

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,238
50% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.15%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.3 min
Work from Home21.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Palmer Lake is $454,000, 61% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,913 (64% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $528,830.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$454,000
61% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$528,830
Median List Price$605,250

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$605,250
$/Sq Ft$0
Sale-to-List Ratio0.0%
Price Drops21.1%
Inventory19

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,913
64% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,083
1 Bedroom$1,161
2 Bedrooms$1,429
3 Bedrooms$1,861
4 Bedrooms$2,178

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied88.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,238
50% above US avg
Effective Rate1.15%
In Palmer Lake, 25.9% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 25.9% report depression. 15.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity25.9%
19% below US avg
Diabetes6.9%
Heart Disease4.3%
High Blood Pressure25.3%
Asthma11.4%
COPD4.4%
Stroke2.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.5%
Physical Inactivity15.5%
Depression25.9%
Mental Distress17.1%
Physical Distress11.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.5%
Checkup Rate73.3%
Premature Death4,121/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.6/10
Exercise Access91.3%
Healthcare Facilities1,115
Palmer Lake has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 0 per 100,000 (100% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Palmer Lake vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Burglary0.0/100K
Theft0.0/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)24

Safety Score

Palmer Lake has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 22.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average46.5°F
14% below US avg
January Average29°F (-2°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall22.5 inches
41% below US avg
Snowfall121.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation7,138 ft (2,176 m)
Area3.1 sq mi (8.0 km²)
Population Density853/sq mi
Coordinates39.1158°N, 104.9092°W
County FIPS08035
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 46.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (37% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 52.3%
D 45.3%

Winner: Republican by 7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+46.3%
37% above US avg
High School+97.6%
School Test Score5.90
A+ Education Grade (4.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density853/sq mi
Total Area3.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities1,115
Restaurants647
Retail Stores955

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)24

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.3 min
Work from Home21.3%

Nearby Cities

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