What are the schools like in Palmetto, FL?

Palmetto is served primarily by MANATEE. The district operates 44 elementary schools, 12 middle schools, and 13 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 17.4:1.

What is the median household income in Palmetto?

The median household income in Palmetto, FL is $55,584 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 6.7%.

What is the weather like in Palmetto, FL?

Palmetto has an average high temperature of 72.0°F in January and 92.0°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 56.3 inches.

Palmetto, FL Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Palmetto, FL affordable or expensive?

Palmetto's cost of living index is 104, where 100 represents the national average. This means Palmetto is 4% more expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $219,700 and the median rent is $1,222 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Palmetto, FL?

Palmetto has a violent crime rate of 607.5 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1778.7 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Palmetto, FL a Good Place to Live?

Palmetto is a small city of 13,384 in Florida, with a median household income of $55,584 and a 6.7% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 104 (US average = 100), which is 4% above the national average.

Strengths: Palmetto stands out for below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Palmetto is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Palmetto city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 103.6

Palmetto's overall cost of living index is 103.6, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Palmetto costs roughly 4% more than the average American city.

Metric	Palmetto, FL	National Avg
Median Home Value	$219,700	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,222	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	64.6%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$55,584	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Near National Average

Palmetto's violent crime rate is 607.5 per 100,000 residents — 60% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

607.5 /100k

Property Crime

1778.7 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Palmetto is served primarily by MANATEE. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.4:1 (slightly above the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Palmetto, FL	National Avg
School District	MANATEE	—
Elementary Schools	44	—
Middle Schools	12	—
High Schools	13	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	17.4:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	27.3%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	85.5%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Palmetto sees average highs of 72.0°F in January and 92.0°F in July, with 56.3 inches of annual precipitation .

Metric	Palmetto, FL
Average High — January	72.0°F
Average High — July	92.0°F
Annual Precipitation	56.3"
Annual Snowfall	Trace / None

Demographics

Metric	Palmetto, FL	National Avg
Population	13,384	—
Median Age	50.0	38.9
Unemployment Rate	6.7%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	24.4 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	73.8%	59.3%
Black or African American	15.3%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	7.8%	18.9%
Asian	1.9%	6.3%
Under 18	19.4%	22.2%
65 and over	28.0%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Memphis, FL 2 mi Bradenton, FL 2 mi West Bradenton, FL 3 mi Ellenton, FL 3 mi Samoset, FL 4 mi

ZIP Codes in Palmetto

Palmetto, FL is covered by 1 ZIP code:

34221

Palmetto vs Other Cities

Palmetto, FL vs Memphis, FL Palmetto, FL vs Bradenton, FL Palmetto, FL vs West Bradenton, FL Palmetto, FL vs Ellenton, FL Palmetto, FL vs Samoset, FL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Palmetto, FL affordable or expensive?

Palmetto's cost of living index is 104, where 100 is the national average. That puts Palmetto roughly 4% above the national average in cost. The median home price is $219,700 and median rent is $1,222/month.

What is the crime rate in Palmetto, FL?

Palmetto's violent crime rate is 607.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1778.7 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Palmetto?

Public schools in Palmetto are operated by MANATEE. The district has 44 elementary, 12 middle, and 13 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.4:1. 27.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Palmetto, FL a good place to live?

Palmetto, FL has a population of 13,384, a median household income of $55,584, and an unemployment rate of 6.7%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Palmetto?

Palmetto averages 72.0°F in January and 92.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 56.3 inches . Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Palmetto?

Palmetto, FL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 34221.

What is the population of Palmetto?

The population of Palmetto, Florida is 13,384 with a median age of 50.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Palmetto?

Key numbers for living in Palmetto: cost of living index 104 (100 = US average), median home $219,700, median household income $55,584, crime index 130 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Palmetto side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.