Palmer (town), Massachusetts
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Palmer is a town located in Hampden County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 12,497.
For geographic and demographic information on specific parts of the town of Palmer, please see the articles on Bondsville, Palmer (CDP), and Three Rivers.
History
Palmer was first settled in 1727 and was officially incorporated in 1775.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 82.9 km² (32.0 mi²). 81.7 km² (31.5 mi²) of it is land and 1.3 km² (0.5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.53% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 12,497 people, 5,078 households, and 3,331 families residing in the town. The population density is 153.0/km² (396.3/mi²). There are 5,402 housing units at an average density of 66.2/km² (171.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 96.82% White, 0.75% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. 1.23% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 5,078 households out of which 31.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% are married couples living together, 12.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% are non-families. 28.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.45 and the average family size is 3.01.
In the town the population is spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $41,443, and the median income for a family is $49,358. Males have a median income of $35,748 versus $26,256 for females. The per capita income for the town is $18,664. 7.9% of the population and 5.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 10.3% of those under the age of 18 and 9.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.