Living in Palmer, Michigan
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Palmer · Census data 2020–2024
Palmer has 309 residents with a median age of 42.6. The median household income is $65,833 (10% lower than the Michigan median), the median home value is $83,900, the median rent is $763/month.
Palmer is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Palmer at a glance
- Population
- 309
- Median age
- 42.6State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $65,833State: $72,875
- Median home value
- $83,900State: $231,600
- Median rent
- $763/moState: $1,129
- Homeowners
- 88.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17.4%
- Average commute
- 30 min
Is Palmer a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 64% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 5.2%.
Cons: Median household income 10% lower than the Michigan median; an average commute of 30 minutes; unemployment of 7.3%.
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 $83,900, 75% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $763 per month, which is 10.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $900 a month in housing costs.
Palmer median household income
The median household income in Palmer is $65,833 and the income per person is $30,858. 5.2% of residents live below the poverty line (Michigan: 13.2%).
Housing in Palmer: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 154
- Owner-occupied
- 88.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 11.7%
- Vacant
- 16.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1945
- Average household size
- 2.41
Palmer demographics
- Population
- 309
- Median age
- 42.6
- Under 18
- 16.8%
- 65 and older
- 15.2%
- Households
- 128
- Foreign-born
- 0%
- Veterans
- 11.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Palmer ›
Education in Palmer
17.4% of adults 25 and older in Palmer have a bachelor's degree or higher (Michigan: 32.4%), and 0.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Palmer
- Unemployment rate
- 7.3%State: 5.7%
- Average commute
- 30 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 5.9%
- Drive alone
- 86.3%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.3%
Palmer vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palmer | 309 | $65,833 | $83,900 | $763 |
| Negaunee | 4,656 | $70,568 | $170,100 | $861 |
| Ishpeming | 6,181 | $52,754 | $111,900 | $733 |
| West Ishpeming | 2,851 | $95,129 | $193,900 | $1,063 |
| Trowbridge Park | 2,396 | $50,125 | $239,600 | $1,186 |
| Harvey | 2,880 | $78,674 | $262,800 | $845 |
| Marquette | 21,325 | $55,613 | $274,700 | $1,011 |
| Gwinn | 1,435 | $46,414 | $117,000 | $682 |
| K. I. Sawyer | 2,817 | $60,833 | $87,300 | $782 |
More for people moving to Palmer
Palmer ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Palmer: FAQ
What is the median household income in Palmer, MI?
The median household income in Palmer is $65,833, 10% lower than the Michigan median of $72,875 (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 $83,900, compared with $231,600 in Michigan.
How much is rent in Palmer?
The median gross rent in Palmer is $763 per month, about 10.4% of household income.
Is Palmer, MI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 64% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 5.2%. Minuses: median household income 10% lower than the Michigan median; an average commute of 30 minutes; unemployment of 7.3%.
What is the median age in Palmer?
The median age in Palmer is 42.6 years (Michigan: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Palmer?
The average commute to work in Palmer is 30 minutes; 5.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Palmer?
The unemployment rate in Palmer is 7.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Palmer?
17.4% 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.
Last updated: