Palo, MI

Michigan

Palo is a small town in Michigan with a population of 409. Residents earn $34,403 per year, which is 54% below the national average.

4.3 /5.0
A Great
409 Population 584/sq mi density
$34,403 Median Income $13,500 per capita
$92,600 Home Value
$965 Median Rent 24.7% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.3 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$34,403 median income, 1.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$92,600 home value, $965/mo rent
A+
Education
4.6 / 5.0
0.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $34,403
54% lower than US avg
Home Value $92,600
67% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Median Rent $965
17% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.6%
33% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.9%
47% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.5%
1% higher than US avg

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

People

Population409
Median Age26.1 yrs
Density584/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans1.5%

Economy

B
Median Income$34,403
Per Capita$13,500
Unemployment1.9%
Poverty12.5%
County GDP$1,982M
Commute43 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$92,600
Rent$965
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units127
Rent Burden24.7%

Health

Obesity42.6%
Uninsured8.8%
Smoking20.3%
Depression32.0%
Heart Disease6.6%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F (10°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain34.0 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation801 ft (244 m)

Education

A+
Bachelor's+0.0%
High School+88.9%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 34%
Commute43 min
Broadband85.7%
Libraries6

Is Palo a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Palo receives an overall livability score of 4.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, long commute times, high obesity rates. Palo stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Palo is $34,403, 54% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.9%. 12.5% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 43 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Palo is $92,600, 67% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $965 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

0.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Palo experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 34.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Palo has a population of 409 with a density of 584 people per square mile. The median age is 26.1 years, 33% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

409
Total Population
584
People / sq mi
26.1yrs
Median Age
33% below US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.1%
Female 46.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Palo vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only85.7%
9% above US avg
Spanish14.3%
7% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Palo vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Palo is $34,403, which is 54% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 12.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 43 minutes.

Income: Palo vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$34,403
54% below US avg
Per Capita Income$13,500
Avg Weekly Wage$1,055
IRS Avg AGI$60,876

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.9%
47% below US avg
Poverty Rate12.5%
1% above US avg
Establishments (County)794
County GDP$1,982M

Business (County)

Restaurants73
Healthcare106
Retail124
Manufacturing47

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,958
13% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.27%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time43.4 min
Drive Alone29.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Palo is $92,600, 67% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $965 (17% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$92,600
67% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$965
17% below US avg
Rent Burden24.7%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied85.7%
Housing Units127
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,958
13% above US avg
Effective Rate4.27%
In Palo, 42.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.8% of residents lack health insurance. 20.3% are current smokers. 32.0% report depression. 29.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.6%
33% above US avg
Diabetes11.3%
Heart Disease6.6%
High Blood Pressure34.6%
Asthma13.1%
COPD9.8%
Cancer7.6%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking20.3%
45% above US avg
Binge Drinking16.7%
Physical Inactivity29.1%
Depression32.0%
Mental Distress22.8%
Physical Distress16.2%
Short Sleep37.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate81.1%
Uninsured8.8%
2% above US avg
Checkup Rate77.4%
Dental Visits61.6%
Premature Death8,638/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.4/10
Exercise Access69.9%
Healthcare Facilities106
Palo has an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.0 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.1°F
9% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.0 inches
11% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation801 ft (244 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Population Density584/sq mi
Coordinates43.1107°N, 84.9861°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26057
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 0.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (100% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 31.3-point margin. 85.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 65%
D 33.7%

Winner: Republican by 31.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+0.0%
100% below US avg
High School+88.9%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.23
A+ Education Grade (4.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density584/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access85.7%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities106
Restaurants73
Retail Stores124

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute43.4 min
Drive Alone29.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Carson City, MI 1,161 pop · 8.6 mi Ionia, MI 12,950 pop · 10.3 mi Belding, MI 5,949 pop · 12.5 mi Stanton, MI 1,292 pop · 13.5 mi Greenville, MI 8,897 pop · 14.3 mi Fowler, MI 1,446 pop · 14.4 mi Saranac, MI 1,973 pop · 17.0 mi Portland, MI 3,821 pop · 17.2 mi Edmore, MI 1,417 pop · 20.7 mi Lowell, MI 4,133 pop · 21.9 mi St. Johns, MI 7,712 pop · 23.0 mi Ithaca, MI 2,831 pop · 23.3 mi Lake Odessa, MI 2,174 pop · 23.9 mi Alma, MI 9,421 pop · 25.0 mi
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