Census-designated place · Florida
Palm River-Clair Mel, Florida
Palm River-Clair Mel, census-designated place, in Hillsborough County, Florida. Palm River-Clair Mel had 27,844 people in the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (±2,206). GEOID 1254387.
Residents, 2020-2024
27,844
±2,206 (90% margin)
2020 Census count: 26,142
Median household income
$71,787
±$6,213 (90% margin)
Florida: $74,568
Median home value
$271,700
±$24,610 (90% margin)
Florida: $359,000
Median gross rent
$1,525
±$140 (90% margin)
Florida: $1,669
Where is Palm River-Clair Mel and what county is it in?
Palm River-Clair Mel is a census-designated place: an unincorporated community the Census Bureau draws for counting, with no city government of its own, in Hillsborough County, Florida. It covers 11.4 square miles of land, 2,288 residents per square mile in 2020.
Palm River-Clair Mel is in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 4 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Palm River-Clair Mel, and is it growing?
The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts Palm River-Clair Mel's population at 27,844 (±2,206). The 2020 Census counted 26,142 residents.
The Census Bureau publishes yearly population estimates for incorporated places only; Palm River-Clair Mel is a census-designated place, so its figures come from the ACS and the 2020 Census.
| Measure | Palm River-Clair Mel | Hillsborough County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 27,844 ±2,206 | 1,522,748 | +4,000 |
| Households | 10,053 ±632 | 583,192 | +1,956 |
| Average household size | 2.77 ±0.14 | 2.56 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 10,749 ±551 | 630,692 | +2,157 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Palm River-Clair Mel?
The median resident of Palm River-Clair Mel is 34.9 years old; 25.1% are under 18 and 12.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 43.8%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 26.9%. 24.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Palm River-Clair Mel | Hillsborough County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.9 ±1.0 | 37.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 25.1% ±2.6 pts | 21.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 12.3% ±1.8 pts | 15.0% | – |
| Male | 49.6% ±1.9 pts | 49.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 43.8% ±4.0 pts | 30.4% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 26.9% ±4.7 pts | 44.8% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 19.8% ±3.1 pts | 15.3% | −7.2 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.4% ±1.7 pts | 4.5% | +3.0 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.5% ±1.9 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 24.0% ±3.3 pts | 19.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 41.3% ±3.9 pts | 30.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.9% ±1.4 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 14.7% ±2.8 pts | 12.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 13.6% ±2.6 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 82.2% ±2.7 pts | 89.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 25.0% ±3.3 pts | 38.1% | +8.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.2% ±1.3 pts | 14.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 87.7% ±2.5 pts | 84.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.6% ±1.2 pts | 3.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Palm River-Clair Mel earn?
Half of Palm River-Clair Mel's 10,053 households earn less than $71,787 a year (±$6,213), against $79,540 in Hillsborough County and $74,568 in Florida. In 2015-2019 the median was $58,896 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $12,891 after inflation. 13.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Palm River-Clair Mel | Hillsborough County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $71,787 ±$6,213 | $79,540 | +$12,891 |
| Mean household income | $84,792 ±$4,915 | $112,697 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,732 ±$2,069 | $44,342 | +$4,411 |
| People below the poverty line | 13.1% ±3.6 pts | 12.7% | −5.3 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.9% ±7.5 pts | 15.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 23.7% ±4.5 pts | 13.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.2% ±1.2 pts | 97.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.1% ±2.5 pts | 93.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Palm River-Clair Mel?
Owners occupy 60.5% of Palm River-Clair Mel's occupied homes and renters 39.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $271,700 by its owner (±$24,610). The median renter pays $1,525 a month including utilities, and 48.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Palm River-Clair Mel | Hillsborough County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $271,700 ±$24,610 | $371,500 | +$107,649 |
| Median gross rent | $1,525 ±$140 | $1,667 | +$324 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 48.8% ±6.4 pts | 47.7% | +12.8 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,556 ±$120 | $2,003 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 60.5% ±4.0 pts | 61.5% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 39.5% ±4.0 pts | 38.5% | – |
| Housing units | 10,749 ±551 | 630,692 | +2,157 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4% ±0.6 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.0% ±2.9 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 61.4% ±3.9 pts | 56.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 7.2% ±1.7 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 6.0% ±1.9 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 18.5% ±4.6 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.1% ±0.6 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 3.7% ±1.4 pts | 5.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Palm River-Clair Mel work and get to work?
68.2% of Palm River-Clair Mel's workers drive alone and 16.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 30.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.7%.
| Measure | Palm River-Clair Mel | Hillsborough County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.2% ±3.4 pts | 65.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7% ±1.8 pts | 4.5% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 68.2% ±4.5 pts | 66.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.7% ±2.9 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6% ±0.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Walked | 0.9% ±0.5 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 16.8% ±3.8 pts | 20.7% | +12.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 30.6 min ±2.1 | 28.8 min | +5.8 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Palm River-Clair Mel?
6 census tracts lie mostly in Palm River-Clair Mel, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $57,092 (Tract 135.04) to $82,066 (Tract 136.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 137.03Hillsborough County | 8,438 | $80,906 |
| Tract 136.02Hillsborough County | 4,503 | $82,066 |
| Tract 135.01Hillsborough County | 4,358 | $75,066 |
| Tract 135.03Hillsborough County | 3,758 | $59,602 |
| Tract 135.05Hillsborough County | 3,590 | $67,256 |
| Tract 135.04Hillsborough County | 3,096 | $57,092 |
| Tract 136.04Hillsborough County | 1,478 | $49,792 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Palm River-Clair Mel) · Census block assignment files
How does Palm River-Clair Mel compare with other places in Florida?
Palm River-Clair Mel ranks 380th of 754 places in Florida with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population (ACS 2020-2024) | 154th | 766 |
| Residents per square mile | 335th | 770 |
| Median household income | 380th | 754 |
| Per capita income | 526th | 763 |
| Median home value | 518th | 749 |
| Median gross rent | 390th | 710 |
| Poverty rate | 280th | 634 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 458th | 733 |
| Median age | 674th | 762 |
| Owner-occupied share | 567th | 760 |
| Work from home | 274th | 596 |
| Travel time to work | 212th | 764 |
Palm River-Clair Mel's figures with every place in Florida (CSV)
Every place in Florida, sortable · Compare Palm River-Clair Mel with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Palm River-Clair Mel?
5 of the 57 figures for Palm River-Clair Mel on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Palm River-Clair Mel are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.