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CITY

Palmer

Alaska · 6,710 residents (2025 est.) · 5.07 sq mi
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The short version

With 6,268 people, Palmer is a city in Alaska. This skews young, with a median age of 32.9. 1,735 more people live here than in 2000. About 25% of adults have finished a four-year degree. 3% of residents were born outside the United States. Households here earn about 22% less than in Alaska as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
median household income $72,201, below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 32.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
25% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 58%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place

What stands out about Palmer

What changed most since 1990

  • Population2,866 → 6,268 (+119%)US over the same years: +35%
  • Median home value (2024 dollars)$130,324 → $294,900 (+126%)US over the same years: +67%
  • Poverty rate6.2% → 13.0% (+6.8 pts)US over the same years: −0.8 pts

Among the 29 cities and towns in the Anchorage metro

  • 18th in household income$72,201
  • 16th in share with a bachelor's degree24.5%
  • 18th in home value$294,900
  • 5th in diversity score57.2

Its weight in Matanuska-Susitna

Palmer's population equals 5.5% of Matanuska-Susitna's. Its number of households without a car equals 12% of the county's.

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
6,268
+38%since 2000
from 4,533 in 2000
6,710 in 2025 (Census Bureau estimate)
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,236 / sq mi
+38%since 2000
from 894 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
32.9
+14%since 2000
from 28.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Land area
5.07 sq mi
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K4K5K7K8K19902000201020202024Palmer
20246K
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 2024
Under 55.3%(330)
US avg: 5.6%
5 to 95.3%(332)
US avg: 6%
10 to 145.9%(372)
US avg: 6.4%
15 to 1910.4%(651)
US avg: 6.6%
20 to 249.9%(618)
US avg: 6.5%
25 to 3416.1%(1,008)
US avg: 13.7%
35 to 4412.8%(801)
US avg: 13.2%
45 to 549.8%(617)
US avg: 12.2%
55 to 648.8%(553)
US avg: 12.7%
65 to 749.6%(599)
US avg: 10.2%
75 to 844.9%(305)
US avg: 5.1%
85 and over1.3%(82)
US avg: 1.9%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$72,201
−13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $45,571 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$37,718
+119%since 2000
from $17,203 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
48.3%
+14.6 ptssince 2009
from 33.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
13.0%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 12.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.448
+12%since 2010
from 0.402 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information11.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade8.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance5.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services3.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade2.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Public administration2.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing1.7%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food1.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$294,900
+58%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $102,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,125
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $623 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
63.1%
−1.4 ptssince 2000
from 64.5% in 2000
36.9% rent
Vacancy rate
7.5%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Persons per household
2.58 people
−24%since 2009
from 3.38 people in 2009
US average: 2.54
Owner cost-burdened
25.9%
−6.8 ptssince 2009
from 32.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
52.8%
+7.4 ptssince 2009
from 45.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.1
+38%since 2009
from 3.0 in 2009
1990 – 2024
Years of local income it takes to buy a local home, on a scale of about 0 to 15. Lower is more affordable.
Gentrification Score
43
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means faster recent growth in incomes, home values, and college degrees.
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic79.3%(3,595)
Black2%(91)
Hispanic / Latino3.5%(159)
Asian1%(45)
Other0%
2024
White, non-Hispanic70.9%(4,441)
Black2%(125)
Hispanic / Latino6.7%(419)
Asian1.6%(102)
Other18.8%(1,181)
Diversity Score
57
+14%since 2009
from 50 in 2009
1990 – 2024
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Hispanic origin
Mexican4.5%(285)
Chilean0.4%(22)
Cuban0.2%(15)
Peruvian0.2%(13)
Dominican0.1%(5)
Asian origin
Filipino1.4%(87)
Korean0.3%(20)
Laotian0%(2)
Thai0%(2)
Hmong0%(1)
Pacific Islander origin
Chamorro1.7%(108)
Samoan0.1%(7)
Ancestry
German15.4%(966)
English10.3%(648)
Irish10.1%(630)
American7.6%(475)
Scottish3.3%(209)
Polish3%(189)
Italian2.6%(163)
Norwegian2.4%(153)
Swedish2%(128)
Dutch1.9%(117)
French1.2%(74)
Scotch-Irish1.1%(69)
+ 25 more ancestry groups with data
Danish0.9%(54)
British0.8%(50)
Finnish0.7%(47)
Welsh0.6%(39)
Czech0.4%(23)
Swiss0.3%(18)
West Indian0.2%(14)
Australian0.2%(11)
Ukrainian0.2%(11)
Arab0.1%(7)
Syrian0.1%(7)
Lithuanian0.1%(7)
Portuguese0.1%(7)
Austrian0.1%(6)
Hungarian0.1%(6)
Belgian0.1%(5)
Greek0.1%(5)
Turkish0.1%(5)
Russian0%(2)
Slovak0%(1)
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.5%
+10.0 ptssince 2000
from 14.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
93.0%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 87.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.8%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 6.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.8 min
−4%since 2000
from 27.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
73.7%
+9.0 ptssince 2009
from 64.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.6%
−7.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.4%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.6%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 6.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.3%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.4%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
8.0%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.9%
−3.3 ptssince 2011
from 10.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
61.2%
−5.4 ptssince 2011
from 66.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Women 20-64 in the labor force
72.4%
+4.7 ptssince 2020
from 67.7% in 2020
US average: 74.6%
Self-employed
17.1%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
32.0%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 30.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.8%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Female
51.2%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Foreign born
3.3%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
11.1%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 12.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.3%
+5.6 ptssince 2012
from 13.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
9.8%
−10.1 ptssince 2013
from 19.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.6%
+8.9 ptssince 2017
from 82.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
Computer in household
97.3%
+2.2 ptssince 2020
from 95.1% in 2020
US average: 95.5%
Same house as last year
86.9%
+4.4 ptssince 2020
from 82.4% in 2020
US average: 87.7%
English only at home
93.9%
+0.8 ptssince 2016
from 93.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.5%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 2.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Marital status
Men 15+
Never married47.3%(1,205)
Married42.1%(1,071)
Widowed2.2%(56)
Divorced8.4%(214)
Women 15+
Never married33.1%(891)
Married39.6%(1,065)
Widowed10%(269)
Divorced17.2%(463)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
Section 09

Health coverage

Uninsured
9.8%
−10.1 ptssince 2013
from 19.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Employer-based
48.0%
+2.6 ptssince 2020
from 45.4% in 2020
US average: 54.8%
Direct-purchase
7.8%
+1.6 ptssince 2020
from 6.2% in 2020
US average: 13.8%
Medicare
17.8%
+3.3 ptssince 2020
from 14.5% in 2020
US average: 18.4%
Medicaid
30.0%
−3.0 ptssince 2020
from 33.0% in 2020
US average: 20.9%
VA health care
4.6%
Unchangedsince 2020
from 4.6% in 2020
US average: 2.2%
Any private
61.3%
+5.3 ptssince 2020
from 56.0% in 2020
US average: 67.1%
Any public
45.8%
+1.1 ptssince 2020
from 44.7% in 2020
US average: 36.7%

Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.

Section 09 · Service history

Veterans

Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)39.6%(212)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)35.8%(192)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era27.6%(148)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War2.1%(11)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0%(0)
US avg: 1%

Share of the 536 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.

BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time

Palmer, decade by decade

Palmer population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
YearPopulationMedian household incomeMedian home valueBachelor's degree+Diversity score
19902,866$83,858$130,32415.4%29.2
20004,533$83,015$186,35514.5%43.6
20105,937$78,698$252,75720.3%47.4
20205,888$72,911$261,19421.2%58.2
20246,268$72,201$294,90024.5%57.2

Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Palmer

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Head to head

Compare Palmer to nearby cities

PALMER VS
North Lakes
Income$101,679+41%
Home value$357,600+21%
Population10,223+52%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PALMER VS
Tanaina
Income$105,536+46%
Home value$328,500+11%
Population9,646+44%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PALMER VS
Wasilla
Income$67,234−7%
Home value$358,400+22%
Population10,556+57%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PALMER VS
Meadow Lakes
Income$81,699+13%
Home value$323,100+10%
Population8,689+29%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Palmer, Alaska?

Palmer, Alaska has about 6,268 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Palmer, Alaska?

The typical household in Palmer, Alaska earns about $72,201 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Palmer, Alaska expensive?

In Palmer, Alaska, the median home is worth about $294,900, and the typical rent is about $1,125 a month.

How educated are people in Palmer, Alaska?

About 24.5% of adults age 25 and over in Palmer, Alaska hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Palmer, Alaska?

About 13.0% of people in Palmer, Alaska live below the federal poverty line.

Has Palmer, Alaska grown since 1990?

Yes, Palmer, Alaska has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,402 residents, a change of about 119 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →