Palmer Town, MA

Massachusetts · Metropolitan Area

Palmer Town is a small city in Massachusetts with a population of 12,372. Residents earn $78,789 per year, which is 5% above the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
12,372 Population 392/sq mi density
$78,789 Median Income $44,562 per capita
$255,000 Home Value
$1,041 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$78,789 median income, 2.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$255,000 home value, $1,041/mo rent
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
24.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $78,789
5% higher than US avg
Home Value $255,000
10% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.0%
29% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,041
10% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 32.6%
2% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.2%
39% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.9%
60% lower than US avg

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

People

Population12,372
Median Age50.5 yrs
Density392/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 87%

Economy

A+
Median Income$78,789
Per Capita$44,562
Unemployment2.2%
Poverty4.9%
County GDP$30,598M
Commute32 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$255,000
Rent$1,041
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity32.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression29.8%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain47.5 in/yr
Elevation424 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.0%
High School+88.4%
School Score6.49

Community

2024 VoteR 45% / D 53%
Commute32 min
Libraries33

Is Palmer Town a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Palmer Town receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Palmer Town 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 Town is $78,789, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.2%. Only 4.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Palmer Town is $255,000, 10% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,041 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

24.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.4% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.5/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Palmer Town experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.5 inches, including 47.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Palmer Town has a population of 12,372 with a density of 392 people per square mile. The median age is 50.5 years, 30% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (86.9%), with 2.7% Hispanic, 3.2% Black.

Population

12,372
Total Population
392
People / sq mi
50.5yrs
Median Age
30% above US avg
31.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.3%
Female 50.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Palmer Town vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.7%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.3%
46% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Palmer Town vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Palmer Town is $78,789, which is 5% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Income: Palmer Town vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$78,789
5% above US avg
Per Capita Income$44,562
Avg Weekly Wage$1,208
IRS Avg AGI$69,945

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.2%
39% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.9%
60% below US avg
Establishments (County)18,727
County GDP$30,598M

Business (County)

Restaurants907
Healthcare1,223
Retail1,468
Manufacturing478

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,506
86% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.55%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time31.8 min
Work from Home8.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Palmer Town is $255,000, 10% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,041 (10% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$255,000
10% below US avg
Median List Price$335,413

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$335,413
$/Sq Ft$233
Homes Sold13
Sale-to-List Ratio101.9%
Price Drops20.0%
Inventory10

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,041
10% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,727
1 Bedroom$1,822
2 Bedrooms$2,300
3 Bedrooms$2,858
4 Bedrooms$3,232

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied70.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,506
86% above US avg
Effective Rate2.55%
In Palmer Town, 32.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 29.8% report depression. 24.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity32.6%
2% above US avg
Diabetes8.6%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure29.3%
Asthma13.1%
COPD6.5%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.6%
Physical Inactivity24.7%
Depression29.8%
Mental Distress20.5%
Physical Distress14.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.0%
Checkup Rate78.1%
Premature Death8,992/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access95.7%
Healthcare Facilities1,223

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)52

Safety Score

Palmer Town has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average47.6°F
12% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.5 inches
25% above US avg
Snowfall47.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation424 ft (129 m)
Area31.6 sq mi (81.8 km²)
Population Density392/sq mi
Coordinates42.1889°N, 72.3065°W
County FIPS25013
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 24.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (29% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 8.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 44.5%
D 53.4%

Winner: Democrat by 8.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.0%
29% below US avg
High School+88.4%
School Test Score6.49
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density392/sq mi
Total Area31.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries33
Healthcare Facilities1,223
Restaurants907
Retail Stores1,468

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)52

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute31.8 min
Work from Home8.1%

Nearby Cities

Compare Palmer Town with another city: