Palmer, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Palmer, Texas had a total population of 1,435, the 866th largest community in Texas, with a median household income of $18,675, which is 76% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 76.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 76% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (76.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
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 | 1,606 | 1,435 | -10.6% |
| Median household income | $27,418 | $18,675 | -31.9% |
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: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Palmer Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Cameron County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brownsville | 189,177 | $52,130 | 23.7% | $139,900 |
| Harlingen | 72,087 | $53,645 | 25.1% | $140,600 |
| San Benito | 24,709 | $43,639 | 29.7% | $85,300 |
| Los Fresnos | 8,291 | $61,938 | 34.7% | $152,200 |
| La Feria | 6,891 | $45,081 | 25.0% | $106,900 |
| Cameron Park | 5,955 | $36,089 | 44.6% | $74,800 |
| Primera | 5,344 | $80,116 | 13.1% | $160,900 |
| Port Isabel | 5,111 | $32,222 | 34.2% | $182,600 |
| Laureles | 4,224 | $34,771 | 35.4% | $152,400 |
| Laguna Vista | 3,673 | $63,632 | 21.8% | $255,900 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lasara | 1,467 | N/A | $57,700 | 24.9% | 16.5% |
| Elmo | 1,379 | N/A | $199,200 | 8.2% | 0.5% |
| César Chávez | 1,351 | N/A | $162,300 | 0.0% | 20.4% |
| Oyster Creek | 1,288 | N/A | $164,500 | 2.6% | 13.8% |
| Beauxart Gardens | 1,276 | N/A | $171,600 | 10.0% | 3.2% |
Population Overview
Palmer is a small community located in Texas, within Cameron County. The total population is 1,435. It ranks as the 866th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Palmer is 18.5 years. This is 48% lower than the state median of 35.6 years. With 47.3% 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 $18,675. This is 76% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 77% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 76.2%. This is 453% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. 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. 72.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Palmer was recorded as Hispanic or Latino. A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
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 42.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Palmer, Texas 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 Texas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas. 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, Texas?
Palmer, Texas has a population of 1,435 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Palmer, TX?
The median household income in Palmer is $18,675, which is 77% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Palmer, TX?
The poverty rate in Palmer is 76.2%. This means approximately 1,094 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Palmer, Texas?
Palmer's population is 0.0% White, 0.0% Black, 100.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Palmer, TX?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Palmer — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Palmer, Texas?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Palmer hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.