Palmer, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Palmer, Iowa had a total population of 134, the 798th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $59,063, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 7.5% 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 0.7x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.6%.
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 | 114 | 134 | +17.5% |
| Median household income | $60,625 | $59,063 | -2.6% |
| Median home value | $36,500 | $39,600 | +8.5% |
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: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Palmer Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Pocahontas County
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot Mound | 132 | $58,750 | $75,000 | 6.4% | 4.5% |
| Soldier | 133 | $56,250 | $78,300 | 12.5% | 15.8% |
| Little Sioux | 129 | N/A | $39,400 | 12.4% | 25.6% |
| Floris | 128 | N/A | $53,300 | 13.0% | 6.3% |
| Arion | 137 | $63,125 | $53,300 | 10.4% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 134, 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 Iowa, within Pocahontas County. The total population is 134. It ranks as the 798th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Palmer is 52.9 years. This is 37% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. Only 10.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 17.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Palmer is $59,063. This is 21% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 27% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.1%. This is 190% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 1.6%. This is 56% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $39,600. Housing costs are 81% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.7x, Palmer is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 88.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Palmer has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.3% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 3.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
7.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 76% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Palmer, Iowa 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 Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. 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, Iowa?
Palmer, Iowa has a population of 134 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Palmer, IA?
The median household income in Palmer is $59,063, which is 27% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Palmer, IA?
The poverty rate in Palmer is 32.1%. This means approximately 43 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Palmer, Iowa?
Palmer's population is 96.3% White, 3.0% Black, 0.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Palmer, IA?
The median home value in Palmer is $39,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 0.7x.
How educated is Palmer, Iowa?
7.5% of adults (25+) in Palmer hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.