Living in Palmer, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Palmer · Census data 2020–2024
Palmer has 134 residents with a median age of 52.9. The median household income is $59,063 (21% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $39,600.
Palmer is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Palmer at a glance
- Population
- 134
- Median age
- 52.9State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $59,063State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $39,600State: $208,000
- Homeowners
- 88.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 7.5%
- Average commute
- 26 min
Is Palmer a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 81% lower than the state median; unemployment of 1.6%.
Cons: Median household income 21% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 26 minutes; a poverty rate of 32.1%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Palmer
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Palmer the median home value is $39,600, 88% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of — per month. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,625 a month in housing costs.
Palmer median household income
The median household income in Palmer is $59,063 and the income per person is $42,588. 32.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Palmer: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 103
- Owner-occupied
- 88.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 11.4%
- Vacant
- 23.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1941
- Average household size
- 1.70
Palmer demographics
- Population
- 134
- Median age
- 52.9
- Under 18
- 10.4%
- 65 and older
- 32.8%
- Households
- 79
- Foreign-born
- 0%
- Veterans
- 13.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Palmer ›
Education in Palmer
7.5% of adults 25 and older in Palmer have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 0.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Palmer
- Unemployment rate
- 1.6%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 26 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 3.2%
- Drive alone
- 83.9%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 84.8%
Palmer vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palmer | 134 | $59,063 | $39,600 | — |
| Pomeroy | 542 | $53,542 | $70,200 | $645 |
| Manson | 1,645 | $66,250 | $116,900 | $714 |
| Pocahontas | 1,763 | $66,574 | $106,100 | $932 |
| Twin Lakes | 579 | $109,712 | $561,500 | — |
| Gilmore City | 748 | $53,375 | $83,900 | — |
| Fonda | 589 | $54,853 | $58,500 | $546 |
| Rolfe | 626 | $51,250 | $48,500 | $583 |
| Clare | 128 | $80,417 | $72,500 | $656 |
More for people moving to Palmer
Palmer ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Palmer: FAQ
What is the median household income in Palmer, IA?
The median household income in Palmer is $59,063, 21% lower than the Iowa median of $75,059 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Palmer?
The median home value in Palmer is $39,600, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
Is Palmer, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 81% lower than the state median; unemployment of 1.6%. Minuses: median household income 21% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 26 minutes; a poverty rate of 32.1%.
What is the median age in Palmer?
The median age in Palmer is 52.9 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Palmer?
The average commute to work in Palmer is 26 minutes; 3.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Palmer?
The unemployment rate in Palmer is 1.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Palmer?
7.5% of adults in Palmer have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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