City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Palmer, TX

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Palmer - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

2,449
Residents
$87,379
Median income
$203,400
Median home
$1,931
Median rent (state)

Palmer - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Palmer lands in the 69th percentile for household income and the 92nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

69th
percentile, household income
44th
percentile, home value
80th
percentile, median rent
92nd
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Palmer, TX

Texas's Palmer is a small town, with 2,449 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $87,379 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 4.2%. Palmer's housing stock carries a median value of $203,400, and the median resident age is 31.4 years. 13.5% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 69.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 10 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Slowing), down 17% from five years earlier. Palmer reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 307.2 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Texas tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Texas at 97.1 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,931 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Texas run around $223, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 81.6 out of 100 (High).

Population

2,449 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$87,379 /yr

Poverty 4.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Palmer compare to other US cities?

Here's how Palmer stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 69% higher than other cities
Home value 44% pricier than other cities
Median rent 80% pricier than other cities
Safety 92% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Texas and the picture shifts: Palmer ranks #50 of 624 Texas cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Palmer's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Texas, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

69thIncome percentile
92ndSafety percentile

69th percentile nationally for median household income · 92nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Palmer's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Palmer's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 66 Avg. percentile National median
Palmer's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Palmer's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$203,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 56% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Palmer $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Palmer, TX Palmer, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Palmer, TX-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Palmer, TX median $87,379/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Palmer, TX's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Palmer, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 13.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 69.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
2,449
Median Income
$87,379
Median Home Value
$203,400
Median Age
31.4
Poverty Rate
4.2%
Labor force participation
69.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
13.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
307.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
38.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
268.8
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,300 residents2,400 residents2,500 residents2,600 residents2,700 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,418 residents 2,644 residents ▲ +9.3%
Palmer's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
10
housing units authorized
Single-Family
10
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
4.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 12
2020 13
2021 15
2022 11
2023 11
2024 10

Permit volume decreased 17% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
85.7%
Carpool
6.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.2%
Work from Home
7.7%

Based on 1,241 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Texas - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$130
avg/month
Natural Gas
$45
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$48
avg/month
Total Utilities
$223
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Texas state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Texas state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Palmer sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,931/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
81.6 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

Sheldon
2,449 people
Tahoka
2,455 people
Junction
2,439 people
Italy
2,460 people
Jonestown
2,462 people
Pantego
2,467 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Palmer's 2,449 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Rockwell City, IA
2,449 people
Janesville, MN
2,449 people
Sag Harbor, NY
2,449 people
Louisville, GA
2,448 people
Matamoras, PA
2,448 people
Matoaca, VA
2,448 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Palmer's $87,379 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

South Holland, IL
$87,378 median income
Santa Nella, CA
$87,375 median income
Fultonville, NY
$87,386 median income
Wilsonville, OR
$87,371 median income
Random Lake, WI
$87,370 median income
DeBary, FL
$87,391 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Palmer, TX Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Palmer, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 79.1% 12.3% 7.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 35.3% White 79.1% Black or African American 1.1% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 12.3% Two or more races 7.3% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Palmer compares to nearby Texas cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Palmer (this city) 2,449 $87,379
Sheldon 2,449 $72,937
Tahoka 2,455 $52,576
Junction 2,439 $51,667
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Palmer, TX?

What is the population of Palmer, TX? +

Palmer, TX has a population of 2,449 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Palmer, TX? +

Palmer households earn a median of $87,379 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Palmer? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Palmer; the closest available measure is the Texas state average, a cost of living index of 97.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Texas vary by metro area.

Is Palmer, TX safe? +

Palmer has a total crime rate of 307.2 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Palmer, TX? +

Palmer's median home value sits at $203,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.