Palmer, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Palmer, Kansas had a total population of 149, the 484th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $52,500, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.5%.
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 (25.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
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 | 138 | 149 | +8.0% |
| Median household income | $46,250 | $52,500 | +13.5% |
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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Palmer Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Washington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 1,155 | $58,438 | 7.1% | $101,100 |
| Hanover | 828 | $67,813 | 6.7% | $110,400 |
| Linn | 470 | $74,432 | 8.7% | $108,800 |
| Greenleaf | 320 | $61,250 | 15.2% | $82,300 |
| Barnes | 177 | $27,222 | 27.1% | N/A |
| Haddam | 118 | $67,500 | 2.5% | $46,300 |
| Morrowville | 96 | $77,750 | 0.0% | $41,700 |
| Mahaska | 47 | $85,500 | 8.5% | N/A |
| Hollenberg | 9 | N/A | 44.4% | N/A |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offerle | 151 | $49,688 | $61,700 | 15.9% | 25.8% |
| St. Marks | 156 | N/A | N/A | 48.5% | 0.0% |
| Munden | 158 | $53,375 | $30,000 | 49.0% | 25.9% |
| Admire | 144 | $56,094 | N/A | 14.3% | 2.1% |
| Fall River | 148 | $46,500 | $39,700 | 11.1% | 22.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 149, 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 Kansas, within Washington County. The total population is 149. It ranks as the 484th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Palmer is 31.8 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 37.4 years. With 37.6% of the population under 18, Palmer has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Palmer is $52,500. This is 29% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.5%. This is 126% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Palmer, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $133,300. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Palmer is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Palmer is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 30.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (30.9% vs 13.6%).
Education
24.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Palmer, Kansas 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 Kansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 721 Census-designated places in Kansas. 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, Kansas?
Palmer, Kansas has a population of 149 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Palmer, KS?
The median household income in Palmer is $52,500, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Palmer, KS?
The poverty rate in Palmer is 25.5%. This means approximately 38 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Palmer, Kansas?
Palmer's population is 69.1% White, 0.0% Black, 30.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Palmer, KS?
The median home value in Palmer is $133,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Palmer, Kansas?
24.7% of adults (25+) in Palmer hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.