| City: | Palmer, Michigan |
| County: | Marquette County |
| Timezone: | Eastern (GMT -05:00) |
| Local Time: | 8:07:00 AM |
| Population: | 476 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 906 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 46.4416, -87.5797 |
| Land Area: | 16.685 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Palmer sits in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, about 12 miles west of Marquette in Marquette County. It's a PO Box Only Zone, meaning there's no alternative to PO Box delivery for residents in this area. The post office maintains 215 boxes for a community of 190 households, a 1.13 adoption rate that shows the office serves some residents beyond the immediate area.
Despite the PO Box classification, rural mail routes do operate here. Two distinct rural routes serve 29 delivery points along streets like Nicholas Avenue, Kirkpatrick Avenue, and County Road ME. This isn't unusual for Upper Peninsula communities where the classification predates current delivery patterns.
Palmer is a working-class community. The median household income sits at $60,625, with homes valued at a modest $75,600. Nearly 90% of occupied homes are owner-occupied, and 99.5% of residents were born in the United States. The population of 476 has a median age of 43.1 years. About 28.6% of workers work from home, and the transportation sector employs a notable portion of the workforce.
The street grid tells a story of an old mining-era town. Names like Nicholas, Kirkpatrick, Simpson, and Isabella avenues suggest a platted community from the iron ore boom that shaped Marquette County. State Highway M-35 runs through the area, connecting Palmer to Negaunee and Marquette.
Street names reflect a platted mining-era town with county and state highway access.
ZIP Code 49871 has 476 residents and 190 households (average 2.43 persons per household). The median age is 43.1 years, older than the state (40.1) and older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 51.1% male and 48.9% female, which is slightly higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (94.3%, much higher than the state average of 73.9% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (2.1%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 2.1%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 476Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 392Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 28.5 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $63,125Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 190Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $81,900Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.43Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.99Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 759 | 761 | 611 | 580 | 485 | 484 | 549 | 588 | 558 | 536 | 619 | 499 | 448 | 392 |
| Decennial Census | 510 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 476 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 43.1
Male Median Age: 41.8
Female Median Age: 43.5
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 11 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 4 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 25 | 22 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Female | 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 18 | 7 | 10 | 28 | 7 | 10 | 34 | 24 | 8 | 17 | 6 | 0 | 3 |
| Total | 25 | 28 | 24 | 24 | 14 | 39 | 28 | 32 | 44 | 21 | 25 | 59 | 46 | 24 | 25 | 12 | 3 | 3 |
| White: | 449 | 96.35% |
| Black: | 0 | 0% |
| Hispanic:* | 10 | 2.15% |
| Asian: | 2 | 0.43% |
| American Indian: | 4 | 0.86% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 1 | 0.21% |
| Total: | 466 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 243 | 51.05% | 41.8 years |
| Females: | 233 | 48.95% | 43.5 years |
| Total: | 476 | 100% | 43.1 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 390 | 99.49% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 2 | 0.51% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Population: | 392 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 392 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $63,125, which is considerably lower than the national median ($80,734), is up $28,510 (82.4%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $12,625. Family households earn a median of $68,333 versus $41,250 for nonfamily households (a difference of $27,083). By gender, male median income is $65,417 and female is $22,222, which is considerably lower than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $43,195 that has widened from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 59.2%, which is below the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 6.9%, which is above the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Service (38.6%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $34,615 | $34,750 | $32,500 | $36,625 | $37,431 | $37,404 | $46,875 | $49,896 | $50,500 | $49,444 | $55,313 | $56,250 | $60,625 | $63,125 |
| Median Family Income | $50,833 | $45,938 | $41,750 | $48,068 | $50,625 | $46,250 | $49,479 | $51,094 | $50,438 | $50,521 | $56,250 | $59,375 | $66,071 | $68,333 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $25,577 | $27,250 | $27,031 | $26,667 | $26,563 | $25,781 | $22,143 | $0 | $41,875 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $47,500 | $41,250 |
| Median Male Income | $35,556 | $37,000 | $40,938 | $47,031 | $49,250 | $49,000 | $48,958 | $50,962 | $50,962 | $55,179 | $54,861 | $59,643 | $70,893 | $65,417 |
| Median Female Income | $31,944 | $32,344 | $45,208 | $34,792 | $34,000 | $28,750 | $30,893 | $31,750 | $31,071 | $28,333 | $30,313 | $28,571 | $27,500 | $22,222 |
| Employed: | 189 | 55.10% |
| Unemployed: | 14 | 4.08% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 140 | 40.82% |
| Total: | 343 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 14 | 7.41% |
| Service: | 73 | 38.62% |
| Sales and Office: | 50 | 26.46% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 32 | 16.93% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 20 | 10.58% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 189 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $81,900, which is well under the national median ($332,700), is up $26,200 (47.04%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $18,300. The median gross rent is $679, which is far less than the national median ($1,413), is up $189 (38.57%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $66. Of occupied housing, owners make up 86.75% (51.39% with a mortgage, 48.61% free-and-clear) and renters 13.25% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 13.54%, which is far higher than the national rate (10.12%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $55,700 | $60,200 | $57,000 | $58,800 | $60,700 | $63,000 | $63,400 | $62,800 | $63,600 | $65,700 | $64,700 | $67,800 | $75,600 | $81,900 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 15 | 68.18% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 6 | 27.27% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 1 | 4.55% |
| Total: | 22 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $490 | $490 | $540 | $813 | $700 | $820 | $563 | $588 | $613 | $609 | $644 | $692 | $629 | $679 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 74 | 44.58% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 70 | 42.17% |
| Renter Occupied: | 22 | 13.25% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 166 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 166 | 86.46% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 26 | 13.54% |
| Total Housing Units: | 192 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 180 | 93.75% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 8 | 4.17% |
| Other Units: | 4 | 2.08% |
| Total Housing Units: | 192 | 100% |
In 2024, 13.40% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far lower than the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 90.50%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 7.40%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.40%). The share of people in poverty is 2.50%, which is far lower than the national rate (8.80%), down 9.10 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 15.30 percentage points. This points to a pronounced improvement in local conditions - rising incomes, firmer consumer demand, and a stronger tax base. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (44.26%). College enrollment is 18.03%, which is comparable to the national rate (26.70%), meaning the community mirrors broader higher-education participation.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 0 | 0.00% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 27 | 9.54% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 88 | 31.10% |
| Some college, no degree: | 107 | 37.81% |
| Associate's degree: | 23 | 8.13% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 36 | 12.72% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 2 | 0.71% |
| Total: | 283 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 256 | 90.46% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 38 | 13.43% |
| Private Insurance: | 276 | 57.26% |
| Public Insurance: | 177 | 36.72% |
| No Insurance: | 29 | 6.02% |
| Total: | 482 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 453 | 93.98% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 9.1% | 6.5% | 12.4% | 10.7% | 9.9% | 10.1% | 12.4% | 13.7% | 15.3% | 10.1% | 4.9% | 3.4% | 0.0% | 2.5% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 4 | 6.56% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 27 | 44.26% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 19 | 31.15% |
| College or graduate school: | 11 | 18.03% |
| Total: | 61 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 4 | 6.56% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 46 | 75.41% |
ZIP Code 49871 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 5 business establishments, employing about 14 people with an annual payroll of $300,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 290Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 5Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $68,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $300,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 14Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 49871 is located in Marquette County, Michigan, within the Marquette, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 32100) and Michigan's 1st Congressional District. This Micro area has a population of 67,077 people, about 0.71% of whom live in ZIP Code 49871. It covers 16.685 sq mi of land and a water area of 1.113 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Marquette, MISource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 32100Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MicroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 67,077Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 16.685 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 1.113 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 01Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 25027.75 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 2662180Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Palmer CDP; MichiganSource: Census |
We could not locate which school district 49871 belongs to, but we will update this once new district data is released. There are no public schools nor private schools with a mailing address in this ZIP Code. Listing Nearby schools instead. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on February 1, 2026.