Palmerton, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Palmerton, Pennsylvania had a total population of 5,622, the 234th largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $68,143, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.8%.
Palmerton Quick Facts
How Palmerton 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 | 5,624 | 5,622 | -0.0% |
| Median household income | $71,471 | $68,143 | -4.7% |
| Median home value | $161,500 | $180,000 | +11.5% |
How Palmerton 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+)
Palmerton Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Carbon County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lehighton | 5,268 | $64,651 | 12.9% | $213,600 |
| Jim Thorpe | 4,540 | $72,904 | 7.6% | $209,800 |
| Lansford | 4,156 | $44,713 | 23.8% | $55,800 |
| Nesquehoning | 3,344 | $61,354 | 12.9% | $122,500 |
| Summit Hill | 3,137 | $65,268 | 24.0% | $99,700 |
| Weatherly | 2,551 | $52,125 | 22.3% | $163,200 |
| Towamensing Trails | 1,716 | $81,429 | 6.8% | $308,400 |
| Weissport East | 1,646 | $54,837 | 10.3% | $193,500 |
| Bowmanstown | 968 | $68,365 | 8.4% | $191,900 |
| Holiday Pocono | 743 | $62,333 | 5.4% | $206,900 |
Cities Similar to Palmerton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollidaysburg | 5,558 | $69,458 | $196,100 | 42.1% | 8.2% |
| Selinsgrove | 5,593 | $65,650 | $198,500 | 33.9% | 5.1% |
| Oxford | 5,825 | $67,733 | $313,800 | 32.7% | 23.7% |
| Monaca | 5,519 | $73,538 | $162,700 | 25.5% | 10.5% |
| Olyphant | 5,381 | $66,423 | $160,900 | 27.6% | 8.8% |
Population Overview
Palmerton is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Carbon County. The total population is 5,622. It ranks as the 234th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Palmerton is 48.3 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 40.9 years. Only 13.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.2% 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 Palmerton is $68,143. This is 13% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 16% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.9%. This is 36% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 1.8%. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $180,000. Housing costs are 29% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Palmerton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 57.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Palmerton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.5%.
Education
18.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Palmerton, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. 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 Palmerton, Pennsylvania?
Palmerton, Pennsylvania has a population of 5,622 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Palmerton, PA?
The median household income in Palmerton is $68,143, which is 16% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Palmerton, PA?
The poverty rate in Palmerton is 15.9%. This means approximately 886 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Palmerton, Pennsylvania?
Palmerton's population is 93.8% White, 0.0% Black, 5.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Palmerton, PA?
The median home value in Palmerton is $180,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Palmerton, Pennsylvania?
18.3% of adults (25+) in Palmerton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.