Palmer, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Palmer, Illinois had a total population of 241, the 1149th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $49,500, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 8.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.0%.
Palmer Quick Facts
How Palmer Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 233 | 241 | +3.4% |
| Median household income | $52,917 | $49,500 | -6.5% |
| Median home value | $80,400 | $82,900 | +3.1% |
How Palmer Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Palmer Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Christian County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taylorville | 10,646 | $57,552 | 12.4% | $104,100 |
| Pana | 5,217 | $46,168 | 13.4% | $77,900 |
| Moweaqua | 1,915 | $69,625 | 3.4% | $114,500 |
| Kincaid | 1,278 | $64,821 | 15.5% | $88,100 |
| Assumption | 1,205 | $57,500 | 11.7% | $89,700 |
| Edinburg | 1,195 | $89,886 | 10.3% | $117,100 |
| Morrisonville | 926 | $71,597 | 17.1% | $95,800 |
| Stonington | 655 | $65,972 | 10.6% | $106,100 |
| Tovey | 629 | $89,000 | 5.3% | $79,100 |
| Owaneco | 613 | $65,313 | 17.5% | $101,700 |
Cities Similar to Palmer
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander | 239 | N/A | $118,200 | 18.9% | 0.0% |
| Fillmore | 241 | $47,813 | $66,400 | 6.2% | 16.6% |
| Gladstone | 237 | $50,000 | $59,400 | 3.3% | 10.1% |
| Raleigh | 235 | $49,167 | $80,000 | 9.0% | 17.4% |
| Cabery | 235 | $48,750 | $107,600 | 8.5% | 23.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 241, Palmer's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Palmer is a small community located in Illinois, within Christian County. The total population is 241. It ranks as the 1149th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Palmer is 53.3 years. This is 37% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Palmer is $49,500. This is 41% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.2%. This is 5% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 1.0%. This is 83% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $82,900. Housing costs are 69% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Palmer is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 88.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Palmer was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 99.6% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
8.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 78% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Palmer, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Palmer, Illinois?
Palmer, Illinois has a population of 241 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Palmer, IL?
The median household income in Palmer is $49,500, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Palmer, IL?
The poverty rate in Palmer is 11.2%. This means approximately 27 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Palmer, Illinois?
Palmer's population is 99.6% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Palmer, IL?
The median home value in Palmer is $82,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Palmer, Illinois?
8.5% of adults (25+) in Palmer hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.