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CITY

Palmer

Illinois · 199 residents (2025 est.) · 0.995 sq mi
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The short version

Palmer has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $49,500. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $82,900. With a median age of 53.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 41% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 53.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
8% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
241
−3%since 2000
from 248 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
242 / sq mi
−3%since 2000
from 249 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
53.3
+46%since 2000
from 36.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:199 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1201642082522961990201020202024Palmer
2024241
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$49,500
−24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,750 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,010
+53%since 2000
from $17,615 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
25.9%
+13.6 ptssince 2009
from 12.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
11.2%
+5.9 ptssince 2000
from 5.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.387
+33%since 2010
from 0.290 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Finance & insurance12%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical10%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing6%
US avg: 1.6%
Information6%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade5%
US avg: 9.9%
Manufacturing4%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction2%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services2%
US avg: 0.9%
Other services1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration1%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade0%
US avg: 6.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$82,900
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $46,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$740
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $382 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
88.4%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 84.3% in 2000
11.6% rent
Vacancy rate
11.8%
−7.9 ptssince 2009
from 19.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
37.4%
+11.8 ptssince 2009
from 25.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
30.8%
+5.8 ptssince 2009
from 25.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.7
+28%since 2000
from 1.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
31
RELATED:See current rent listings in Palmer on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.4%(239)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0%(0)
2024
White, non-Hispanic99.6%(240)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0.4%(1)
Diversity Score1%(2)
Diversity Score
1
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
8.5%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 2.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
89.4%
+17.1 ptssince 2000
from 72.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
0.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.4 min
+61%since 2000
from 15.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
94.0%
+20.0 ptssince 2009
from 74.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
0.0%
−18.9 ptssince 2009
from 18.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−7.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.0%
+6.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.5%
−5.7 ptssince 2009
from 10.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.0%
−4.5 ptssince 2011
from 5.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
48.6%
−18.4 ptssince 2011
from 67.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.0%
+10.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
39.0%
−18.3 ptssince 2009
from 57.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.2%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 44.1% in 2009
Female
54.8%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 55.9% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.5%
−40.8 ptssince 2009
from 44.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.1%
+3.6 ptssince 2012
from 15.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.9%
−80.4 ptssince 2013
from 83.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
74.1%
+6.6 ptssince 2017
from 67.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.6%
+0.8 ptssince 2016
from 98.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Palmer

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Pop 200
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Pop 205
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Pop 192
Santa Claus
Pop 202
Places similar to Palmer
Head to head

Compare Palmer to nearby cities

PALMER VS
Taylorville
Income$57,552+16%
Home value$104,100+26%
Population10,522+5187%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PALMER VS
Chatham
Income$106,773+116%
Home value$243,200+193%
Population14,579+7226%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PALMER VS
Springfield
Income$66,064+33%
Home value$162,100+96%
Population112,989+56678%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PALMER VS
Decatur
Income$51,592+4%
Home value$99,600+20%
Population67,884+34013%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Palmer, Illinois?

Palmer, Illinois has about 241 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Palmer, Illinois?

The typical household in Palmer, Illinois earns about $49,500 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Palmer, Illinois expensive?

In Palmer, Illinois, the median home is worth about $82,900, and the typical rent is about $740 a month.

How educated are people in Palmer, Illinois?

About 8.5% of adults age 25 and over in Palmer, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Palmer, Illinois?

About 11.2% of people in Palmer, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Palmer, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Palmer, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 21 residents, a change of about -8 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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