City · Alaska
Palmer, Alaska
Palmer, city, in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska. Palmer had 6,710 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 14.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 5,888 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 6,268 (±36). GEOID 0258660.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
6,710
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,888 · ACS 2020-2024: 6,268 ±36
Median household income
$72,201
±$6,849 (90% margin)
Alaska: $92,788
Median home value
$294,900
±$13,119 (90% margin)
Alaska: $352,900
Median gross rent
$1,125
±$90 (90% margin)
Alaska: $1,419
Where is Palmer and what county is it in?
Palmer is a city in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska. It covers 5.1 square miles of land, 1,161 residents per square mile in 2020.
Palmer is in the Anchorage, AK metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 2 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Palmer, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 6,710 people lived in Palmer on July 1, 2025, up 14.0% since 2020, faster than Alaska (+0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 5,888 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 6,268 (±36).
| Measure | Palmer | Matanuska-Susitna Borough | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,268 ±36 | 112,988 | −863 |
| Households | 2,310 ±119 | 39,869 | +296 |
| Average household size | 2.58 ±0.14 | 2.77 | −0.76 |
| Housing units | 2,498 ±117 | 51,170 | +328 |
Palmer's population since 2000
From 4,533 in 2000 to 6,710 in 2025: up 48.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Palmer as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Palmer?
The median resident of Palmer is 32.9 years old; 21.5% are under 18 and 15.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 70.9%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 9.2%. 3.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Palmer | Matanuska-Susitna Borough | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.9 ±2.4 | 36.7 | +2.8 |
| Under 18 years | 21.5% ±2.0 pts | 25.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.7% ±2.2 pts | 13.7% | – |
| Male | 48.8% ±2.4 pts | 52.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.7% ±2.1 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 70.9% ±4.1 pts | 75.7% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.0% ±1.6 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.6% ±0.8 pts | 1.6% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 7.4% ±1.8 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 1.9% ±1.6 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 9.2% ±2.1 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.3% ±1.0 pts | 2.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.1% ±1.7 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 11.1% ±1.7 pts | 13.3% | – |
| With a disability | 19.3% ±2.5 pts | 14.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.8% ±2.3 pts | 11.9% | −4.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.0% ±2.0 pts | 94.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 24.5% ±2.8 pts | 24.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.8% ±1.6 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 86.9% ±2.7 pts | 88.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.8% ±1.7 pts | 2.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Palmer earn?
Half of Palmer's 2,310 households earn less than $72,201 a year (±$6,849), against $94,031 in Matanuska-Susitna Borough and $92,788 in Alaska. In 2015-2019 it was $76,720 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Palmer | Matanuska-Susitna Borough | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $72,201 ±$6,849 | $94,031 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $92,395 ±$7,991 | $115,954 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,718 ±$3,946 | $42,386 | +$6,403 |
| People below the poverty line | 13.0% ±2.4 pts | 10.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 13.6% ±5.3 pts | 11.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.0% ±2.8 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.3% ±1.2 pts | 97.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.6% ±2.4 pts | 93.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Palmer?
Owners occupy 63.1% of Palmer's occupied homes and renters 36.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $294,900 by its owner (±$13,119). The median renter pays $1,125 a month including utilities, and 43.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Palmer | Matanuska-Susitna Borough | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $294,900 ±$13,119 | $346,600 | +$39,900 |
| Median gross rent | $1,125 ±$90 | $1,299 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 43.1% ±7.1 pts | 41.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,678 ±$65 | $2,112 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 63.1% ±3.7 pts | 77.2% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 36.9% ±3.7 pts | 22.8% | – |
| Housing units | 2,498 ±117 | 51,170 | +328 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6% ±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.3% ±2.5 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 65.4% ±3.1 pts | 83.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.3% ±0.9 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.0% ±1.1 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 8.3% ±1.9 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.2% ±0.9 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 8.0% ±2.5 pts | 3.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Palmer building?
Builders took permits for 12 new housing units in Palmer in 2025 (12 in single-family houses), 1.8 per 1,000 residents against 1.2 across Alaska.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Palmer work and get to work?
73.7% of Palmer's workers drive alone and 8.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.9%.
| Measure | Palmer | Matanuska-Susitna Borough | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.2% ±3.1 pts | 60.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.9% ±2.1 pts | 5.8% | −4.0 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 73.7% ±2.9 pts | 71.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.6% ±1.9 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.4% ±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 4.3% ±1.6 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.6% ±2.4 pts | 11.7% | +4.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.8 min ±2.1 | 34.8 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Palmer?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Palmer, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $84,267 (Tract 12.01) to $101,118 (Tract 12.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 12.01Matanuska-Susitna Borough | 6,236 | $84,267 |
| Tract 12.02Matanuska-Susitna Borough | 4,933 | $101,118 |
| Tract 3Matanuska-Susitna Borough | 8,367 | $107,882 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Palmer) · Census block assignment files
How does Palmer compare with other places in Alaska?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Palmer is the 4,164th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 8th-most populous of 149 in Alaska.
Palmer ranks 51st of 69 places in Alaska with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 8th | 149 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 4th | 26 |
| Residents per square mile | 4th | 71 |
| Median household income | 51st | 69 |
| Per capita income | 55th | 71 |
| Median home value | 47th | 66 |
| Median gross rent | 46th | 62 |
| Poverty rate | 20th | 57 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 41st | 69 |
| Median age | 62nd | 71 |
| Owner-occupied share | 50th | 68 |
| Work from home | 30th | 50 |
| Travel time to work | 25th | 69 |
Palmer's figures with every place in Alaska (CSV)
Every place in Alaska, sortable · Compare Palmer with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Palmer?
7 of the 57 figures for Palmer on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Palmer are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Palmer.