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CITY

Palmer

Tennessee · 584 residents (2025 est.) · 4.931 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 $56,447. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $78,900.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 40.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
7% 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
818
+13%since 2000
from 726 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
166 / sq mi
+13%since 2000
from 147 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
40.2
−1%since 2000
from 40.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:584 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
5176207238269291990201020202024Palmer
2024818
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$56,447
+62%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $19,167 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$16,724
+63%since 2000
from $10,251 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
18.0%
+7.4 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
14.7%
−12.5 ptssince 2000
from 27.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.339
−16%since 2010
from 0.404 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade20.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade16.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Information14.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance2.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services2.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$78,900
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$583
−18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $388 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
86.1%
−5.7 ptssince 2000
from 91.8% in 2000
13.9% rent
Vacancy rate
11.9%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
7.0%
−19.8 ptssince 2009
from 26.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
8.1%
−23.3 ptssince 2009
from 31.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.4
−24%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
50
RELATED:See current rent listings in Palmer on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.5%(715)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.3%(2)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0.7%(5)
2024
White, non-Hispanic88.4%(723)
Black1.7%(14)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other9.9%(81)
Diversity Score26.1%(213)
Diversity Score
26
+3651%since 2000
from 1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
7.4%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 1.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
77.1%
+31.1 ptssince 2000
from 46.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.4%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 1.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
40.2 min
+6%since 2000
from 37.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
86.9%
+8.3 ptssince 2009
from 78.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
0.0%
−15.2 ptssince 2009
from 15.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
3.5%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% 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
8.6%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.7%
+4.4 ptssince 2011
from 4.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
51.7%
+7.9 ptssince 2011
from 43.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
9.2%
−5.5 ptssince 2009
from 14.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
14.2%
−42.7 ptssince 2009
from 56.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.9%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Female
51.1%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.8%
−43.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
31.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2012
from 31.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
13.4%
−75.3 ptssince 2013
from 88.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.0%
+32.8 ptssince 2017
from 58.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+0.6 ptssince 2016
from 99.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Palmer to nearby cities

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PALMER VS
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PALMER VS
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PALMER VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Palmer, Tennessee?

Palmer, Tennessee has about 818 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Palmer, Tennessee?

The typical household in Palmer, Tennessee earns about $56,447 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Palmer, Tennessee expensive?

In Palmer, Tennessee, the median home is worth about $78,900, and the typical rent is about $583 a month.

How educated are people in Palmer, Tennessee?

About 7.4% of adults age 25 and over in Palmer, Tennessee hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Palmer, Tennessee?

About 14.7% of people in Palmer, Tennessee live below the federal poverty line.

Has Palmer, Tennessee grown since 1990?

Yes, Palmer, Tennessee has grown since 1990. The population has added about 14 residents, a change of about 2 percent over that period.

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

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