Palmer, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Palmer, Tennessee had a total population of 818, the 326th largest town in Tennessee, with a median household income of $56,447, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 7.4% 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 1.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.7% is notably above the national average.
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 | 734 | 818 | +11.4% |
| Median household income | $41,250 | $56,447 | +36.8% |
| Median home value | $86,500 | $78,900 | -8.8% |
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: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Palmer Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Grundy County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy City | 1,682 | $39,479 | 24.2% | $136,300 |
| Gruetli-Laager | 1,480 | $47,313 | 10.2% | $154,700 |
| Altamont | 1,322 | $41,373 | 15.9% | $91,900 |
| Coalmont | 906 | $53,917 | 31.2% | $151,400 |
| Pelham | 704 | $70,096 | 22.2% | $187,500 |
| Beersheba Springs | 654 | $72,885 | 19.3% | $101,000 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roan Mountain | 797 | $55,625 | $166,200 | 20.5% | 1.7% |
| Riceville | 823 | $51,100 | $286,500 | 25.3% | 6.7% |
| Sunbright | 792 | $59,375 | $120,400 | 5.1% | 14.8% |
| Eastview | 767 | $58,750 | $153,300 | 16.0% | 16.8% |
| Orebank | 816 | $67,740 | $185,100 | 25.9% | 12.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 818, 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 Tennessee, within Grundy County. The total population is 818. It ranks as the 326th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Palmer is 40.2 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 38.9 years. With 29.9% 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 $56,447. This is 19% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.7%. This is 7% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 8.7%. This is 87% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $78,900. Housing costs are 72% lower than the state median of $286,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Palmer is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 86.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% higher than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Palmer has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.7%. The Black or African American population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 15.4%.
Education
7.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 76% lower than the state rate of 31.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 77.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Palmer, Tennessee 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 Tennessee state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee. 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, Tennessee?
Palmer, Tennessee has a population of 818 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Palmer, TN?
The median household income in Palmer is $56,447, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Palmer, TN?
The poverty rate in Palmer is 14.7%. This means approximately 120 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Palmer, Tennessee?
Palmer's population is 88.4% White, 1.7% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Palmer, TN?
The median home value in Palmer is $78,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Palmer, Tennessee?
7.4% of adults (25+) in Palmer hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.