Palmer ZIP Codes — Christian County, IL

There is one unique ZIP code in Palmer, Illinois and it is 62556. Area code: 217.

ZIP codes

23.07

sq mi land

0.01

sq mi water

217

area code

Palmer, IL ZIP code map

About Palmer, IL

Palmer, Illinois, is a small village located in Christian County. Known for its quiet rural charm, Palmer offers a serene lifestyle for its residents. The community is characterized by friendly neighbors and a close-knit atmosphere, making it an inviting place to live.

Location & geography

Geographically, Palmer is situated in the central part of Illinois, approximately 25 miles southwest of the larger city of Decatur. The terrain is predominantly flat, featuring agricultural land typical of this region, with a total land area of 23.07 square miles and a minimal water area of 0.01 square miles. Nearby cities include Taylorville to the northwest, Kincaid to the southwest, and Pana to the southeast.

Community & economy

The character of Palmer reflects its agricultural roots, with many residents engaged in farming and related industries. Daily life is peaceful and community-oriented, with local events fostering a sense of belonging amongst residents. While it is a small village, it provides a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of urban life, often appealing to those seeking slower-paced living.

Transportation

Palmer is accessible via several highways, including Illinois Route 29, which connects to nearby towns and cities. The nearest major airport is Decatur Airport, located about 25 miles to the northeast, providing regional air travel options. Local transport largely relies on private vehicles, as public transit options are limited in this rural area.

History

Palmer was founded in the late 19th century and, like many towns in Christian County, has a history rooted in agriculture. The village has seen growth and changes in industries over the years but has remained small and agricultural-focused. Notable events in its history include various community gatherings that celebrate local heritage.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Palmer is that it has only one ZIP code, 62556, reflecting its small size. The village’s quiet charm attracts visitors looking for a taste of rural life in Illinois.

ZIP codes for Palmer, IL (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
62556	Palmer	Christian	View map

Demographics & statistics

321

Population

47.2

Median age

$51,731

Median household income

$31,404

Per capita income

$85,000

Median home value

$594

Median monthly rent

89.7%

Home ownership

8.4%

Poverty rate

7.1%

Unemployment

130

Housing units

14.0%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	61	19.0%
18 and over	260	81.0%
65 and over	85	26.5%
Median age	47.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 100%

Group	Count	%
White	321	100%

Household income

Under $10k 6.6%

$10k–$15k 0.7%

$15k–$25k 7.4%

$25k–$35k 16.9%

$35k–$50k 11.8%

$50k–$75k 20.6%

$75k–$100k 15.4%

$100k–$150k 6.6%

$150k–$200k 6.6%

$200k+ 7.4%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.6%
$10k–$15k	0.7%
$15k–$25k	7.4%
$25k–$35k	16.9%
$35k–$50k	11.8%
$50k–$75k	20.6%
$75k–$100k	15.4%
$100k–$150k	6.6%
$150k–$200k	6.6%
$200k+	7.4%
Median income	$51,731

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 25.4%

$50k–$100k 32.0%

$100k–$150k 27.9%

$150k–$200k 2.5%

$200k–$300k 6.6%

$300k–$500k 5.7%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$85,000
Median rent / month	$594
Owner occupied	89.7%
Renter occupied	10.3%
Vacant	5.6%
Single-family detached	91.0%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	9.0%
Median rooms	5.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.39

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	2.8%
2000–2009	0.7%
1990–1999	1.4%
1980–1989	6.9%
1970–1979	29.2%
1960–1969	1.4%
1950–1959	3.5%
1940–1949	9.7%
1939 or earlier	44.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	2.1%
2 bedrooms	33.3%
3 bedrooms	50.0%
4 bedrooms	14.6%
5+ bedrooms	0.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.9%
1 vehicle	39.7%
2 vehicles	26.5%
3 or more	30.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	57.4%
Electricity	22.1%
Propane / LP gas	16.9%
Wood	3.7%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	83	61.0%
Cohabiting couple	4	2.9%
Male householder, no spouse	13	9.6%
Female householder, no spouse	36	26.5%
Households with children under 18	36	26.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	71	52.2%
Average household size	2.36

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	23.7%	21.9%
Married	63.3%	52.6%
Separated	1.4%	0.0%
Widowed	0.7%	22.6%
Divorced	10.8%	2.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.2%

Some HS, no diploma 3.0%

HS graduate 49.6%

Some college, no degree 20.8%

Associate's degree 8.5%

Bachelor's degree 11.9%

Graduate / professional 2.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	92.8%
Bachelor's or higher	14.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	4	4.8%
Kindergarten	4	4.8%
Elementary school	37	44.6%
High school	22	26.5%
College / grad school	16	19.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 34.7%

Public administration 13.2%

Transportation & utilities 11.8%

Agriculture & mining 8.3%

Retail trade 8.3%

Other services 7.6%

Manufacturing 4.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 3.5%

Professional & management 2.8%

Finance & real estate 2.1%

Construction 1.4%

Wholesale trade 1.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	45.8%
Service	13.9%
Sales & office	14.6%
Natural resources & construction	4.2%
Production & transportation	21.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	59.7%
Government	26.4%
Self-employed	13.9%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	91.7%
Carpool	0.0%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	22.8

Poverty

All people 8.4%

Under 18 years 13.1%

18 and over 7.3%

Married-couple families 1.2%

Female-led households 29.4%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	55.1%
Retirement income	39.0%
Supplemental Security	8.8%
Cash public assistance	2.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	10.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	34.1%
High cholesterol	34.8%
Heart disease	6.7%
Stroke	3.0%
Asthma	9.4%
Arthritis	28.4%
Kidney disease	2.8%
Pulmonary disease	7.1%
Cancer	7.5%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.3%
No physical activity	23.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.0%
Fair or poor health	13.0%
Poor mental health	12.3%
Poor physical health	9.6%
No health insurance	9.1%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.0%
Visited dentist	64.7%
Cholesterol screening	91.1%
Teeth loss	12.5%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	6	2.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	11.8%
Under 18	6.6%
18–64 years	11.4%
65 and over	16.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	65.7%
Public insurance	45.2%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	317	98.8%
Spanish	11	3.5%
Other Indo-European	9	2.8%
Asian & Pacific Islander	2	0.6%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	321	100.0%
Born in same state	321	100.0%
Born in different state	287	89.4%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	0	0.0%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	68	21.2%
Italian	38	11.8%
Arab	17	5.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	5	1.6%
English	1	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	42.4%
Internet access	93.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Palmer, IL have?

Palmer, IL has one ZIP code: 62556. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.