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CITY

Palmer

Alaska · 6,710 residents (2025 est.) · 5.072 sq mi
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The short version

Palmer has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $72,201. Population has grown 38% since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $294,900. At a median age of 32.9, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
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
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
6,268
+38%since 2000
from 4,533 in 2000
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

PEP 2025 EST:6,710 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2K4K5K7K8K1990201020202024Palmer
20246K
1990201020202024
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%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: 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%
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
+82%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
43
RELATED:See current rent listings in Palmer on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic79.3%(3,595)
Black2%(91)
Hispanic / Latino3.5%(159)
Asian1%(45)
Other0%
Diversity Score17.9%(813)
2024
White, non-Hispanic70.9%(4,441)
Black2%(125)
Hispanic / Latino6.7%(419)
Asian1.6%(102)
Other18.8%(1,181)
Diversity Score57.2%(3,583)
Diversity Score
57
+219%since 2000
from 18 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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%
Self-employed
17.1%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
32.0%
−26.4 ptssince 2009
from 58.4% 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%
−39.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% 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%
−70.3 ptssince 2013
from 80.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.6%
+8.9 ptssince 2017
from 82.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
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%
Drill deeper

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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%
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PALMER VS
Wasilla
Income$67,234−7%
Home value$358,400+22%
Population10,556+57%
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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 →