Palmer, NE

Nebraska · Metropolitan Area

Palmer is a small town in Nebraska with a population of 446. Residents earn $54,861 per year, which is 27% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
446 Population 842/sq mi density
$54,861 Median Income $28,888 per capita
$102,900 Home Value $299,438 Zillow
$785 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$54,861 median income, 0.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$102,900 home value, $785/mo rent
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $54,861
27% lower than US avg
Home Value $102,900
63% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.2%
49% lower than US avg
Median Rent $785
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.3%
22% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.3%
92% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.8%
69% lower than US avg

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

People

Population446
Median Age38.3 yrs
Density842/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 94%

Economy

A
Median Income$54,861
Per Capita$28,888
Unemployment0.3%
Poverty3.8%
County GDP$554M
Commute31 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$102,900
Rent$785
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$299,438

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.4%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI32 (Good)
Rain27.3 in/yr
Elevation1,795 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.2%
High School+96.8%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 82% / D 17%
Commute31 min
Libraries3

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, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. 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 $54,861, 27% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.3%. Only 3.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Palmer is $102,900, 63% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $785 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

17.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 96.8% 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 52°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 27.3 inches, including 22.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Palmer has a population of 446 with a density of 842 people per square mile. The median age is 38.3 years, 2% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.4%), with 1.8% Hispanic.

Population

446
Total Population
842
People / sq mi
38.3yrs
Median Age
2% below US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.2%
Female 53.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Palmer vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.5%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.5%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Palmer vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Palmer is $54,861, which is 27% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: Palmer vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$54,861
27% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,888
Avg Weekly Wage$1,105
IRS Avg AGI$74,323

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.3%
92% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.8%
69% below US avg
Establishments (County)275
County GDP$554M

Business (County)

Restaurants10
Healthcare18
Retail27
Manufacturing16

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,300
23% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.18%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time31.0 min
Work from Home4.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Palmer is $102,900, 63% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $785 (33% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $299,438.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$102,900
63% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$299,438

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$103
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio96.8%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory1

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$785
33% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$706
1 Bedroom$791
2 Bedrooms$1,001
3 Bedrooms$1,274
4 Bedrooms$1,409

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied85.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,300
23% above US avg
Effective Rate4.18%
In Palmer, 39.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 19.4% report depression. 26.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.3%
22% above US avg
Diabetes9.1%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure30.0%
Asthma9.4%
COPD6.0%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.8%
Physical Inactivity26.7%
Depression19.4%
Mental Distress16.0%
Physical Distress12.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.1%
Checkup Rate72.5%
Premature Death8,240/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.3/10
Exercise Access51.2%
Healthcare Facilities18

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Palmer has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 27.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average51.7°F
4% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall27.3 inches
28% below US avg
Snowfall22.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,795 ft (547 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.4 km²)
Population Density842/sq mi
Coordinates41.2225°N, 98.2598°W
County FIPS31121
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 17.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (49% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 65-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 81.8%
D 16.8%

Winner: Republican by 65 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.2%
49% below US avg
High School+96.8%
School Test Score5.81
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density842/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities18
Restaurants10
Retail Stores27

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute31.0 min
Work from Home4.2%

Nearby Cities

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