Palmer, TN

Tennessee

Palmer is a small town in Tennessee with a population of 734. Residents earn $41,250 per year, which is 45% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
734 Population 149/sq mi density
$41,250 Median Income $15,535 per capita
$86,500 Home Value $134,112 Zillow
$573 Median Rent 9.0% income on rent
55°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$41,250 median income, 1.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$86,500 home value, $573/mo rent
F
Education
1.2 / 5.0
2.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $41,250
45% lower than US avg
Home Value $86,500
69% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 2.6%
92% lower than US avg
Median Rent $573
51% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.2%
28% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.6%
56% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 23.3%
88% higher than US avg

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

People

Population734
Median Age44.2 yrs
Density149/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 93%
Veterans4.5%

Economy

C+
Median Income$41,250
Per Capita$15,535
Unemployment1.6%
Poverty23.3%
County GDP$344M
Commute39 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$86,500
Rent$573
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$134,112
Rent Burden9.0%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity41.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression33.6%
Heart Disease7.7%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain63.2 in/yr
Elevation1,846 ft

Education

F
Bachelor's+2.6%
High School+71.3%
School Score5.08

Community

2024 VoteR 84% / D 15%
Commute39 min
Broadband82.7%
EV Stations1
Libraries5

Is Palmer a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Palmer receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, long commute times. 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 $41,250, 45% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.6%. The poverty rate of 23.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 39 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Palmer is $86,500, 69% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $573 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

2.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 71.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Palmer experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 63.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Palmer has a population of 734 with a density of 149 people per square mile. The median age is 44.2 years, 14% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.6%).

Population

734
Total Population
149
People / sq mi
44.2yrs
Median Age
14% above US avg
4.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.4%
Female 52.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Palmer vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Palmer vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Palmer is $41,250, which is 45% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 23.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 39 minutes.

Income: Palmer vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$41,250
45% below US avg
Per Capita Income$15,535
Avg Weekly Wage$758
IRS Avg AGI$53,656

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.6%
56% below US avg
Poverty Rate23.3%
88% above US avg
Establishments (County)246
County GDP$344M

Business (County)

Restaurants11
Healthcare17
Retail38
Manufacturing13

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,522
28% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.92%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time39.0 min
Drive Alone79.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Palmer is $86,500, 69% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $573 (51% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $134,112.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$86,500
69% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$134,112

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$573
51% below US avg
Rent Burden9.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$882
1 Bedroom$924
2 Bedrooms$1,118
3 Bedrooms$1,445
4 Bedrooms$1,644

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied85.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,522
28% below US avg
Effective Rate2.92%
In Palmer, 41.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 33.6% report depression. 32.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.2%
28% above US avg
Diabetes13.5%
Heart Disease7.7%
High Blood Pressure39.1%
Asthma12.1%
COPD11.6%
Stroke4.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.6%
Physical Inactivity32.0%
Depression33.6%
Mental Distress24.3%
Physical Distress18.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate76.9%
Checkup Rate74.5%
Premature Death16,198/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.0/10
Exercise Access37.7%
Healthcare Facilities17

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Palmer has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 63.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average54.9°F
2% above US avg
January Average35°F (2°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall63.2 inches
66% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,846 ft (563 m)
Area4.9 sq mi (12.8 km²)
Population Density149/sq mi
Coordinates35.3576°N, 85.5656°W
County FIPS47061
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 2.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (92% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 69.3-point margin. 82.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 84.3%
D 15%

Winner: Republican by 69.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+2.6%
92% below US avg
High School+71.3%
School Test Score5.08
F Education Grade (1.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density149/sq mi
Total Area4.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access82.7%
EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities17
Restaurants11
Retail Stores38

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute39.0 min
Drive Alone79.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.9%

Nearby Cities

Compare Palmer with another city: