Palmer, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Palmer, Michigan had a total population of 309, the 618th largest community in Michigan, with a median household income of $65,833, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x.
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 | 342 | 309 | -9.6% |
| Median household income | $64,000 | $65,833 | +2.9% |
| Median home value | $74,700 | $83,900 | +12.3% |
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: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Palmer Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Marquette County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marquette | 21,325 | $55,613 | 22.4% | $274,700 |
| Ishpeming | 6,181 | $52,754 | 18.7% | $111,900 |
| Negaunee | 4,656 | $70,568 | 12.4% | $170,100 |
| Harvey | 2,880 | $78,674 | 8.6% | $262,800 |
| West Ishpeming | 2,851 | $95,129 | 5.0% | $193,900 |
| K. I. Sawyer | 2,817 | $60,833 | 13.9% | $87,300 |
| Trowbridge Park | 2,396 | $50,125 | 11.7% | $239,600 |
| Gwinn | 1,435 | $46,414 | 12.4% | $117,000 |
| Republic | 519 | $37,083 | 18.3% | $74,400 |
| Big Bay | 306 | $51,953 | 21.3% | $273,100 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bendon | 315 | $69,750 | $196,200 | 3.0% | 15.0% |
| Glen Arbor | 336 | N/A | $700,000 | 76.8% | 1.5% |
| Nunica | 295 | $60,515 | $327,100 | 20.1% | 0.0% |
| Eastport | 311 | $55,761 | $331,300 | 27.7% | 14.8% |
| Henderson | 320 | $73,750 | $173,100 | 17.1% | 11.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 309, 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 Michigan, within Marquette County. The total population is 309. It ranks as the 618th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Palmer is 42.6 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Palmer is $65,833. This is 10% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.2%. This is 61% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 7.3%. This is 28% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $83,900. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x, Palmer is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 88.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Palmer has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.8% of all residents.
Education
17.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% lower than the state rate of 32.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Palmer, Michigan 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 Michigan state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 745 Census-designated places in Michigan. 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, Michigan?
Palmer, Michigan has a population of 309 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Palmer, MI?
The median household income in Palmer is $65,833, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Palmer, MI?
The poverty rate in Palmer is 5.2%. This means approximately 16 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Palmer, Michigan?
Palmer's population is 94.8% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Palmer, MI?
The median home value in Palmer is $83,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.3x.
How educated is Palmer, Michigan?
17.3% of adults (25+) in Palmer hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.