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CITY · 2020 ACS

Palmer

Massachusetts · 12,448 residents · 31.576 sq mi
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The short version

Palmer has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $68,694. Population has held roughly steady since 2019. Median home value is $201,800. With a median age of 44.5, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 44.5
US median: 38.8
Less educated
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
12,448
+2%since 2019
from 12,237 in 2019
2010 – 2025
Population density
394 / sq mi
+2%since 2019
from 388 / sq mi in 2019
US average: 280
Median age
44.5
+4%since 2019
from 42.6 in 2019
US average: 38.8
Population, 2010 – 2024
12K12K12K12K12K201020202024Palmer
202412K
201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$68,694
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2019
from $64,651 in 2019
US average: $66,278
2010 – 2024
Per capita income
$34,200
+5%since 2019
from $32,495 in 2019
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
43.7%
+0.4 ptssince 2019
from 43.3% in 2019
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
9.7%
−1.6 ptssince 2019
from 11.3% in 2019
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade17.1%
US avg: 10%
Information9.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance7.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical6.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade5.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services4.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration4.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.8%
Construction0.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$201,800
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2019
from $197,000 in 2019
US average: $265,253
2010 – 2024
Median gross rent
$926
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2019
from $962 in 2019
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
65.7%
−6.0 ptssince 2019
from 71.7% in 2019
34.3% rent
Afford Score
2.9
−4%since 2019
from 3.0 in 2019
2010 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Palmer on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2019
White, non-Hispanic87.4%(10,691)
Black2.1%(261)
Hispanic / Latino4.5%(556)
Asian2%(240)
Other4%(489)
Diversity Score29%(3,552)
2020
White, non-Hispanic85.8%(10,679)
Black1.9%(235)
Hispanic / Latino6.4%(794)
Asian1.4%(169)
Other3.4%(417)
Diversity Score30%(3,728)
Diversity Score
30
+3%since 2019
from 29 in 2019
2010 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.3%
+1.4 ptssince 2019
from 24.9% in 2019
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.7%
−2.9 ptssince 2019
from 91.7% in 2019
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.8%
+1.3 ptssince 2019
from 5.5% in 2019
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.0 min
+12%since 2019
from 27.7 min in 2019
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
84.6%
−1.8 ptssince 2019
from 86.4% in 2019
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.1%
+0.3 ptssince 2019
from 6.8% in 2019
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.3%
Unchangedsince 2019
from 6.4% in 2019
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
63.7%
−3.0 ptssince 2019
from 66.7% in 2019
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
36.5%
+4.1 ptssince 2019
from 32.4% in 2019
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.0%
+3.2 ptssince 2019
from 47.8% in 2019
Female
49.0%
−3.2 ptssince 2019
from 52.2% in 2019
Foreign born
4.8%
−0.6 ptssince 2019
from 5.4% in 2019
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2019
from 3.5% in 2019
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Palmer

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Pop 11,440
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Pop 12,531
Places similar to Palmer
Head to head

Compare Palmer to nearby cities

PALMER VS
Springfield
Income$52,656−23%
Home value$245,000+21%
Population154,702+1151%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PALMER VS
Chicopee
Income$62,615−9%
Home value$274,500+36%
Population55,310+347%
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PALMER VS
Amherst
Income$66,968−3%
Home value$484,900+140%
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PALMER VS
Southbridge
Income$66,287−4%
Home value$294,800+46%
Population18,105+46%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Palmer, Massachusetts?

Palmer, Massachusetts has about 12,448 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Palmer, Massachusetts?

The typical household in Palmer, Massachusetts earns about $68,694 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 $201,800, and the typical rent is about $926 a month.

How educated are people in Palmer, Massachusetts?

About 26.3% 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 9.7% 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

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