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CITY · 2020 ACS

Palmer

Tennessee · 551 residents · 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 $32,841. Population has fallen 24% since 2000, a loss of 175 residents. 5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $81,300. With a median age of 47.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 40% less than the Tennessee median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 47.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
5% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 53%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
551
−24%since 2000
from 726 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
112 / sq mi
−24%since 2000
from 147 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
47.8
+17%since 2000
from 40.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
5176207238269291990201020202024Palmer
2024818
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$32,841
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $19,167 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$14,904
+45%since 2000
from $10,251 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
7.8%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
20.8%
−6.4 ptssince 2000
from 27.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade23.9%
US avg: 10%
Information15%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade10.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Education & health services4.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Other services1.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration1.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Professional, scientific, technical0.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$81,300
+53%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$550
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $388 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
90.0%
−1.8 ptssince 2000
from 91.8% in 2000
10.0% rent
Afford Score
2.5
+34%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic94.2%(519)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.4%(2)
Asian0.2%(1)
Other2.8%(16)
Diversity Score8.4%(46)
Diversity Score
8
+1105%since 2000
from 1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
5.1%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 1.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
63.1%
+17.1 ptssince 2000
from 46.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
0.4%
−0.9 ptssince 2000
from 1.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
42.0 min
+11%since 2000
from 37.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
83.4%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 78.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.5%
−9.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
13.9%
+9.6 ptssince 2011
from 4.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
50.1%
+6.3 ptssince 2011
from 43.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
22.7%
−34.2 ptssince 2009
from 56.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.7%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Female
48.3%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
20.9%
−67.8 ptssince 2013
from 88.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Pop 558
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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 551 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Palmer, Tennessee?

The typical household in Palmer, Tennessee earns about $32,841 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 $81,300, and the typical rent is about $550 a month.

How educated are people in Palmer, Tennessee?

About 5.1% 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 20.8% of people in Palmer, Tennessee live below the federal poverty line.

Has Palmer, Tennessee grown since 1990?

Yes, Palmer, Tennessee has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 253 residents, a change of about -31 percent over that period.

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

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