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Palmer, AK
City in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska.
Population
6,268
Land area
5.1sq mi
People per sq mi
1,236
ZIP codes
0
Palmer and its ZIP codes
Palmer at a glance
- Palmer is about 959 times as dense as Alaska as a whole.
- It is the 18th most populous of 326 cities and towns in Alaska.
- Households here earn a median of $72,201 a year, 22% less than the Alaska figure of $92,788.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $294,900 (16% below Alaska) and median rent is $1,125 a month.
Local data for Palmer, AK
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Palmer, AK, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$72,201
Poverty rate
13.0%
Median home value
$294,900
Median rent
$1,125/mo
Homeownership
63.1%
Bachelor's or higher
24.5%
Median age
32.9
Average commute
26.8 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (966), Irish Americans (630), Mexican Americans (285).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Matanuska-Susitna Borough. PPP loans are for Palmer.
Unemployment rate
3.5%
Aug 2026, -0.4 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$61,212
29,978 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$63,994
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$869M
FY 2026, $8,115 per person
How people get to work
Palmer, AK, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone73.7%
- Carpooled9.6%
- Public transit0.4%
- Walked4.3%
- Bicycle0.4%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other3.0%
- Worked from home8.6%
Average one-way commute: 26.8 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Palmer, AK, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Top: avalanche
Storm events since 1996
55
Countywide, mostly flood
Flood insurance policies
195
0.4% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
68° / 8°F
12.6 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone4 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Palmer, AK, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
36.5%
U.S. 33.3% +3.2 pts
Diabetes
8.6%
U.S. 12.1% -3.5 pts
Smoking
16.0%
U.S. 12.8% +3.2 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
9.8%
U.S. 11.1% -1.3 pts
Cities near Palmer
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Farm LoopCensus-designated place | 2.8 mi | 9.1 |
| GatewayCensus-designated place | 4.6 mi | 18.4 |
| ButteCensus-designated place | 4.7 mi | 33.8 |
| North LakesCensus-designated place | 6.7 mi | 15.5 |
| South LakesCensus-designated place | 6.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Buffalo SoapstoneCensus-designated place | 7.5 mi | 22.1 |
| Lazy MountainCensus-designated place | 8 mi | 58.6 |
| Knik RiverCensus-designated place | 9.8 mi | 81.7 |
| FishhookCensus-designated place | 10 mi | 65.2 |
| TanainaCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 30.3 |
| WasillaCity | 12 mi | 12.4 |
| Sutton-AlpineCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 57.6 |
| Meadow LakesCensus-designated place | 16 mi | 75.5 |
| Knik-FairviewCensus-designated place | 22 mi | 73.5 |
| HoustonCity | 23 mi | 23.9 |
| WillowCensus-designated place | 24 mi | 690.4 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Palmer, AK in?
- Palmer is in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska.
- What is the population of Palmer, AK?
- About 6,268 people live in Palmer, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Palmer?
- Nearby places include Farm Loop (2.8 mi), Gateway (4.6 mi), Butte (4.7 mi), North Lakes (6.7 mi), South Lakes (6.9 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023