Males had a median income of $31,278 versus $21,781 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $16,225. About 8.5% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over. Palmerton is currently the location of the Palmerton Zinc Superfund site. It was added to the National Priority List in 1983. The site is broken down into four Operable Units: the defoliated slope of Blue Mountain, the cinder banks, the soil in town, and the ground and surface water. The remediation process in Palmerton has been contentious. Both the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the citizens' group Palmerton Citizens for a Clean Environment (PCCE) believe that extensive cleanup of the town's soil is necessary to protect human health. On the other hand, many citizens, including the Pro-Palmerton Coalition (PPC), argue that the health risks are exaggerated and that the town's Superfund status stigmatizes it. Both groups, as well as other stakeholders, are part of a Superfund Community Advisory Group called the Palmerton Environmental Task Force. The Palmerton Community Park is located downtown between Third and Fourth Streets. It includes the Palmerton Area Veterans Memorial, which was dedicated in 2012. The Appalachian Trail crosses the Lehigh River less than south of Palmerton. The former town jail, below City Hall, had been converted into a hostel which served Appalachian Trail thru-hikers for forty years. It was announced in April 2015 that they would no longer provide this service. The Palmerton Community Band is a non-profit concert band located in Palmerton. The band began playing summer concerts in the Palmerton Borough Park bandshell in 1911. Today, the band consists of about 35 musicians from Palmerton and nearby communities. The band continues to play in summer concerts and festivals, continuing its long tradition of community performances. The borough is served by the Palmerton Area School District, which provides full day kindergarten through 12th grade. In 2016, the Palmerton Area School District's enrollment declined to 1,756 students. The District's enrollment was 1,920 pupils in 2005-06. In 2016, Palmerton Area School District's graduation rate was 97.35%. The District was ranked 376th out of 494 Pennsylvania public school districts, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking examined the school's academic achievement over the prior three years.