Living in Palmer, Tennessee
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Palmer · Census data 2020–2024
Palmer has 818 residents with a median age of 40.2. The median household income is $56,447 (19% lower than the Tennessee median), the median home value is $78,900, the median rent is $583/month.
Palmer is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Palmer at a glance
- Population
- 818
- Median age
- 40.2State: 38.9
- Median household income
- $56,447State: $69,595
- Median home value
- $78,900State: $286,700
- Median rent
- $583/moState: $1,189
- Homeowners
- 86.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 7.4%
- Average commute
- 40 min
Is Palmer a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 72% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 19% lower than the Tennessee median; an average commute of 40 minutes; unemployment of 8.7%; a poverty rate of 14.7%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Palmer
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Palmer the median home value is $78,900, 76% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $583 per month, which is 9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,000 a month in housing costs.
Palmer median household income
The median household income in Palmer is $56,447 and the income per person is $16,724. 14.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Tennessee: 13.8%).
Housing in Palmer: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 302
- Owner-occupied
- 86.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 13.9%
- Vacant
- 11.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1984
- Average household size
- 3.08
Palmer demographics
- Population
- 818
- Median age
- 40.2
- Under 18
- 30%
- 65 and older
- 11.5%
- Households
- 266
- Foreign-born
- 0%
- Veterans
- 5.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Palmer ›
Education in Palmer
7.4% of adults 25 and older in Palmer have a bachelor's degree or higher (Tennessee: 31.1%), and 3.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Palmer
- Unemployment rate
- 8.7%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 40 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 3.5%
- Drive alone
- 86.9%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 91%
Palmer vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palmer | 818 | $56,447 | $78,900 | $583 |
| Gruetli-Laager | 1,480 | $47,313 | $154,700 | $773 |
| Coalmont | 906 | $53,917 | $151,400 | $700 |
| Beersheba Springs | 654 | $72,885 | $101,000 | — |
| Dunlap | 5,678 | $45,589 | $192,100 | $868 |
| Altamont | 1,322 | $41,373 | $91,900 | $850 |
| Whitwell | 2,052 | $67,774 | $140,500 | $872 |
| Tracy City | 1,682 | $39,479 | $136,300 | $400 |
| Powells Crossroads | 1,498 | $67,549 | $187,800 | $1,090 |
More for people moving to Palmer
Palmer ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Palmer: FAQ
What is the median household income in Palmer, TN?
The median household income in Palmer is $56,447, 19% lower than the Tennessee median of $69,595 (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 $78,900, compared with $286,700 in Tennessee.
How much is rent in Palmer?
The median gross rent in Palmer is $583 per month, about 9% of household income.
Is Palmer, TN a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 72% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 19% lower than the Tennessee median; an average commute of 40 minutes; unemployment of 8.7%; a poverty rate of 14.7%.
What is the median age in Palmer?
The median age in Palmer is 40.2 years (Tennessee: 38.9).
How long is the commute in Palmer?
The average commute to work in Palmer is 40 minutes; 3.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Palmer?
The unemployment rate in Palmer is 8.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Palmer?
7.4% 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.
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