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CITY

Palmer

Massachusetts · 12,367 residents (2025 est.) · 31.576 sq mi
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The short version

Palmer has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $78,480. Population has held roughly steady since 2023. Median home value is $271,400. With a median age of 47.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 47.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
23% 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
12,381
Unchangedsince 2023
from 12,372 in 2023
2010 – 2025
Population density
392 / sq mi
Unchangedsince 2023
from 392 / sq mi in 2023
US average: 281
Median age
47.8
−5%since 2023
from 50.5 in 2023
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:12,367 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 2010 – 2024
12K12K12K12K12K201020202024Palmer
202412K
201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$78,480
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2023
from $78,789 in 2023
US average: $82,259
2010 – 2024
Per capita income
$45,032
+1%since 2023
from $44,562 in 2023
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
53.3%
+0.7 ptssince 2023
from 52.7% in 2023
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
8.3%
−0.3 ptssince 2023
from 8.6% in 2023
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.450
+5%since 2023
from 0.427 in 2023
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information20.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade10.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance7.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade4.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services4.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food2.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services1.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$271,400
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2023
from $255,000 in 2023
US average: $376,019
2010 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,075
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2023
from $1,041 in 2023
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
71.5%
+1.5 ptssince 2023
from 70.0% in 2023
28.5% rent
Vacancy rate
7.0%
+2.7 ptssince 2023
from 4.2% in 2023
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
29.2%
+3.5 ptssince 2023
from 25.7% in 2023
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
50.9%
+6.2 ptssince 2023
from 44.7% in 2023
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.5
+7%since 2023
from 3.2 in 2023
2010 – 2024
Gentrification Score
43
RELATED:See current rent listings in Palmer on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2023
White, non-Hispanic84%(10,398)
Black3.2%(394)
Hispanic / Latino4.7%(579)
Asian0.2%(30)
Other7.8%(971)
Diversity Score35.5%(4,396)
2024
White, non-Hispanic83.9%(10,382)
Black3.7%(460)
Hispanic / Latino4.9%(607)
Asian0%(0)
Other7.5%(932)
Diversity Score35.9%(4,448)
Diversity Score
36
+1%since 2023
from 36 in 2023
2010 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.5%
−0.5 ptssince 2023
from 24.0% in 2023
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
89.8%
+1.4 ptssince 2023
from 88.4% in 2023
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.9%
+0.4 ptssince 2023
from 8.6% in 2023
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.3 min
−1%since 2023
from 31.8 min in 2023
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
81.6%
−1.4 ptssince 2023
from 83.0% in 2023
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.7%
+1.3 ptssince 2023
from 6.4% in 2023
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.2%
−0.1 ptssince 2023
from 0.3% in 2023
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.3%
−0.8 ptssince 2023
from 8.1% in 2023
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2023
from 0.9% in 2023
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.1%
−0.1 ptssince 2023
from 0.2% in 2023
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.3%
−1.3 ptssince 2023
from 7.6% in 2023
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.9%
−0.7 ptssince 2023
from 3.6% in 2023
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
62.4%
+1.3 ptssince 2023
from 61.1% in 2023
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.0%
−1.2 ptssince 2023
from 13.2% in 2023
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
37.2%
−0.8 ptssince 2023
from 38.0% in 2023
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.3%
−2.0 ptssince 2023
from 49.3% in 2023
Female
52.7%
+2.0 ptssince 2023
from 50.7% in 2023
Foreign born
1.2%
−0.9 ptssince 2023
from 2.1% in 2023
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.8%
−0.5 ptssince 2023
from 7.3% in 2023
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.5%
−0.9 ptssince 2023
from 18.4% in 2023
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
1.2%
−0.4 ptssince 2023
from 1.6% in 2023
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
90.4%
+0.6 ptssince 2023
from 89.8% in 2023
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.8%
+1.7 ptssince 2023
from 95.1% in 2023
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2023
from 0.9% in 2023
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Palmer to nearby cities

PALMER VS
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Home value$245,000−10%
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SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PALMER VS
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PALMER VS
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PALMER VS
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Home value$294,800+9%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Palmer, Massachusetts?

Palmer, Massachusetts has about 12,381 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Palmer, Massachusetts?

The typical household in Palmer, Massachusetts earns about $78,480 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Palmer, Massachusetts expensive?

In Palmer, Massachusetts, the median home is worth about $271,400, and the typical rent is about $1,075 a month.

How educated are people in Palmer, Massachusetts?

About 23.5% of adults age 25 and over in Palmer, Massachusetts hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Palmer, Massachusetts?

About 8.3% of people in Palmer, Massachusetts live below the federal poverty line.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →