Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 15 h 19 min5:40 am – 8:59 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 3 min7:45 am – 4:47 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People273 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 62.9180 householdsMedian household income $59,583Median home value $58,900Median rent $1,037 a month76% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $839 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting0.7% unemployment rate52% of adults are in the labour force, 138 employedMain industries: farming, forestry and mining 43%, transport, warehousing and utilities 26%, education and health care 11%Average commute 17 minutes81% drive alone, 15% car-pool, 1% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages13% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher93% finished high school, 5% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 100%Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 84°F, lows 62°FColdest month January: highs 26°F, lows 8°F33 in of rain a year, on about 62 dayswettest month June39 in of snow a year, on about 22 days18 days above 90°F, 157 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Pocahontas station, 8 mi away
Nearby landmarksLizard Lakelake · 5.1 miSource: USGS Geographic Names Information System
Parks and public landsKalsow Prairie State Preservestate conservation land · 4.3 mi · 160 acresNorthern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refugenational wildlife refuge · 6.4 mi · 763 acresLizard Lake Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 5.2 mi · 187 acresCooper's Cove Parkpark · 5.9 miTwin Lakes State Parkstate park · 10.9 miMoore Recreation Areapark · 9.4 miSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
EarthquakesNone of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 1970Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Very LowPocahontas County, IA, compared with all US countiesHigher-risk hazardsDrought Relatively HighSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality72% of days had good air in 2025263 of 364 days measured92 moderate, 9 unhealthy for sensitive groups daysMedian index 40, worst day 134main pollutant: fine particles (PM2.5)Source: US EPA Air Quality Index, nearest monitors: Palo Alto County, IA, 31 mi away
Internet at home88% of households have a broadband subscription73% have cable, fibre or DSL4% rely on a mobile data plan alone12% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterPalmer Water Supplyserves 138 people from ground waterNo health-based violations since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation1,237 ft377 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalPocahontas Community Hospital8.8 miPost officePalmer Post Office1.0 miTown hallPalmer City Hall1.0 miPoliceManson Police Department7.7 miFire stationPalmer Fire Department1.0 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportFort Dodge Regional Airport FOD21 miMajor airportDes Moines International Airport DSM90 miUS highwayUS 49.6 miCoachFort DodgeJefferson Lines22 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 50571 ZIP area.
