Palo, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Palo, Michigan had a total population of 375, the 588th largest community in Michigan, with a median household income of $34,489, which is 53% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 53% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Palo Quick Facts
How Palo 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 | 409 | 375 | -8.3% |
| Median household income | $34,403 | $34,489 | +0.2% |
| Median home value | $92,600 | $94,300 | +1.8% |
How Palo 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+)
Palo Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Ionia County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ionia | 12,753 | $63,978 | 12.0% | $164,800 |
| Belding | 5,960 | $60,373 | 15.5% | $163,800 |
| Portland | 3,790 | $65,845 | 7.3% | $166,200 |
| Lake Odessa | 2,155 | $62,813 | 13.5% | $148,600 |
| Saranac | 2,013 | $66,944 | 15.3% | $202,800 |
| Lyons | 896 | $68,603 | 12.2% | $121,500 |
| Muir | 490 | $46,771 | 14.1% | $143,100 |
| Pewamo | 439 | $72,500 | 6.6% | $189,400 |
| Clarksville | 417 | $75,625 | 9.3% | $173,000 |
Cities Similar to Palo
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powers | 360 | $35,417 | $99,400 | 9.9% | 15.3% |
| Dodgeville | 409 | N/A | $217,300 | 15.9% | 12.3% |
| White Pine | 369 | $39,861 | $59,500 | 12.7% | 19.2% |
| Glen Arbor | 336 | N/A | $700,000 | 76.8% | 1.5% |
| Otter Lake | 379 | $42,969 | $101,400 | 6.1% | 14.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 375, Palo'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
Palo is a small community located in Michigan, within Ionia County. The total population is 375. It ranks as the 588th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Palo is 30.2 years. This is 25% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Palo is $34,489. This is 53% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.3%. This is 53% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. 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 Palo, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $94,300. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Palo is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Palo is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 14.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (14.1% vs 5.9%).
Education
0.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Palo, 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 Palo, Michigan?
Palo, Michigan has a population of 375 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Palo, MI?
The median household income in Palo is $34,489, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Palo, MI?
The poverty rate in Palo is 20.3%. This means approximately 76 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Palo, Michigan?
Palo's population is 84.8% White, 0.0% Black, 14.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Palo, MI?
The median home value in Palo is $94,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Palo, Michigan?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Palo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.