Palmerton, PA

Pennsylvania · Metropolitan Area

Palmerton is a small city in Pennsylvania with a population of 5,624. Residents earn $71,471 per year, which is 5% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
5,624 Population 2,259/sq mi density
$71,471 Median Income $43,680 per capita
$161,500 Home Value $248,727 Zillow
$913 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
206 Violent Crime/100K 1,951 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$71,471 median income, 1.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$161,500 home value, $913/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
206 violent crimes/100K (46% below avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $71,471
5% lower than US avg
Home Value $161,500
43% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 206/100K
46% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.2%
52% lower than US avg
Median Rent $913
21% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.1%
69% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.7%
38% lower than US avg

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

People

Population5,624
Median Age43.4 yrs
Density2,259/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 96%

Economy

A
Median Income$71,471
Per Capita$43,680
Unemployment1.1%
Poverty7.7%
County GDP$2,798M
Commute30 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$161,500
Rent$913
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$248,727

Crime

F
Violent206/100K
Property1,951/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault169/100K
Burglary356/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain51.9 in/yr
Elevation540 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.2%
High School+88.8%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 32%
Commute30 min
Libraries4

Is Palmerton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Palmerton receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Palmerton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Palmerton is $71,471, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.1%. Only 7.7% 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 Palmerton is $161,500, 43% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $913 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Palmerton is below the national average at 206 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,951 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

16.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Palmerton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 51.9 inches, including 27.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Palmerton has a population of 5,624 with a density of 2,259 people per square mile. The median age is 43.4 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.2%).

Population

5,624
Total Population
2,259
People / sq mi
43.4yrs
Median Age
12% above US avg
2.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.7%
Female 54.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Palmerton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.7%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.3%
68% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Palmerton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Palmerton is $71,471, which is 5% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Palmerton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$71,471
5% below US avg
Per Capita Income$43,680
Avg Weekly Wage$860
IRS Avg AGI$62,587

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.1%
69% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.7%
38% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,305
County GDP$2,798M

Business (County)

Restaurants132
Healthcare175
Retail196
Manufacturing47

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,285
80% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.89%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.5 min
Work from Home4.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Palmerton is $161,500, 43% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $913 (21% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $248,727.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$161,500
43% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$248,727
Median List Price$187,450

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$187,450
$/Sq Ft$180
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio95.6%
Price Drops33.3%
Inventory3

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$913
21% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$900
1 Bedroom$996
2 Bedrooms$1,225
3 Bedrooms$1,570
4 Bedrooms$1,744

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied62.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,285
80% above US avg
Effective Rate3.89%

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.8%
Premature Death10,784/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access64.9%
Healthcare Facilities175
Palmerton has a violent crime rate of 206 per 100,000 residents, 46% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,951 per 100,000 (0% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent206.4/100K
46% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape37.5/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault168.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,951.2/100K
0% below US avg
Burglary356.5/100K
Theft1,538.5/100K
Vehicle Theft56.3/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Palmerton has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 51.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average50.0°F
7% below US avg
January Average27°F (-3°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall51.9 inches
37% above US avg
Snowfall27.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation540 ft (165 m)
Area2.5 sq mi (6.4 km²)
Population Density2,259/sq mi
Coordinates40.8041°N, 75.6171°W
County FIPS42025
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 16.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (52% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 34.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67%
D 32.2%

Winner: Republican by 34.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.2%
52% below US avg
High School+88.8%
School Test Score5.95
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density2,259/sq mi
Total Area2.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities175
Restaurants132
Retail Stores196

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.5 min
Work from Home4.9%

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