Median Income $64,000

15% lower than US avg

Home Value $74,700

74% lower than US avg

Bachelor's+ 14.8%

56% lower than US avg

Obesity Rate 37.2%

16% higher than US avg

Unemployment 3.3%

8% lower than US avg

Poverty Rate 3.5%

72% lower than US avg

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

People

Population342

Median Age39.0 yrs

Density580/mi²

Male / Female50% / 50%

Largest GroupWhite 94%

Veterans10.8%

Economy

Median Income$64,000

Per Capita$29,352

Unemployment3.3%

Poverty3.5%

County GDP$3,597M

Commute30 min

Housing

A+

Home Value$74,700

RentN/A

OwnershipN/A

Housing Units157

Rent Burden32.4%

Health

Obesity37.2%

Uninsured6.0%

Smoking14.5%

Depression27.9%

Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp40°F (4°C)

AQI38 (Good)

Rain30.3 in/yr

Sunny Days249/yr

Elevation1,325 ft (404 m)

Education

Bachelor's+14.8%

High School+93.0%

Graduate+0.0%

School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 45% / D 54%

Commute30 min

Broadband88.7%

Libraries6

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, a low 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 $64,000, 15% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.3%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 3.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Palmer is $74,700, 74% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 1.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

14.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Palmer has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F. Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area gets 249 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 30.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Palmer has a population of 342 with a density of 580 people per square mile. The median age is 39.0 years, 0% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.6%), with 5% Hispanic.

Population

342

Total Population

580

People / sq mi

39.0yrs

Median Age

0% below US avg

0.6mi²

Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50%

Female 50%

Race & Ethnicity

Palmer vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only	100.0%
	27% above US avg
Spanish	0.0%
	100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Palmer vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Palmer is $64,000, which is 15% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Palmer vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income	$64,000
	15% below US avg
Per Capita Income	$29,352
Avg Weekly Wage	$1,051
IRS Avg AGI	$66,951

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment	3.3%
	8% below US avg
Poverty Rate	3.5%
	72% below US avg
Establishments (County)	1,762
County GDP	$3,597M

Business (County)

Restaurants	184
Healthcare	217
Retail	260
Manufacturing	48

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)	$5,514
	58% above US avg
Cost of Living	96.20 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate	7.38%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time	29.6 min
Drive Alone	70.6%
Public Transit	0.0%
Work from Home	5.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Palmer is $74,700, 74% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median	$74,700
	74% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft	$124
Homes Sold	1
Sale-to-List Ratio	101.1%
Price Drops	50.0%
Inventory	2

Rental Costs


Rent Burden	32.4%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio	$807
1 Bedroom	$891
2 Bedrooms	$1,113
3 Bedrooms	$1,419
4 Bedrooms	$1,588

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied	91.5%
Housing Units	157
Median Year Built	1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)	$5,514
	58% above US avg
Effective Rate	7.38%

In Palmer, 37.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.0% of residents lack health insurance. 14.5% are current smokers. 27.9% report depression. 20.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity	37.2%
	16% above US avg
Diabetes	9.3%
Heart Disease	5.8%
High Blood Pressure	31.3%
Asthma	11.1%
COPD	6.8%
Cancer	7.9%
Stroke	2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking	14.5%
	4% above US avg
Binge Drinking	20.2%
Physical Inactivity	20.3%
Depression	27.9%
Mental Distress	18.1%
Physical Distress	12.7%
Short Sleep	31.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate	95.5%
Uninsured	6.0%
	30% below US avg
Checkup Rate	78.5%
Dental Visits	67.4%
Premature Death	7,011/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment	7.7/10
Exercise Access	84.7%
Healthcare Facilities	217

Palmer has an average annual temperature of 40°F (4°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation is 30.3 inches. The area enjoys 249 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 65°F Jul (19°C)

Annual Average	39.8°F
	26% below US avg
January Average	14°F (-10°C)
July Average	65°F (19°C)
Sunny Days	249 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall	30.3 inches
	20% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median	38.0
Rating	Good

Geography

Elevation	1,325 ft (404 m)
Area	0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density	580/sq mi
Coordinates	46.4436°N, 87.5817°W
Timezone	America/Detroit
County FIPS	26103

It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 14.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (56% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 8.7-point margin. 88.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 44.8%

D 53.5%

Winner: Democrat by 8.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+	14.8%
	56% below US avg
High School+	93.0%
Graduate Degree+	0.0%
School Test Score	5.23

C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5	Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density	580/sq mi
Total Area	0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access	88.7%
Public Libraries	6
Healthcare Facilities	217
Restaurants	184
Retail Stores	260

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)	5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute	29.6 min
Drive Alone	70.6%
Public Transit	0.0%
Work from Home	5.6%

Palmer, MI

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

People

Economy

Housing

Health

Climate

Education

Community

Is Palmer a Good Place to Live?

Economy & Jobs

Cost of Living & Housing

Education

Climate & Weather

Population

Gender Distribution

Race & Ethnicity

Palmer vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

Social Characteristics

Palmer vs U.S. Average

Income: Palmer vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Employment & Poverty

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

Ownership & Property

Property Tax

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Food & Exercise

Temperature

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

Geography

2024 Presidential Election (County)

Education

Urban-Rural Classification

Infrastructure & Services

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Nearby Cities