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CITY · 2020 ACS

Palmer

Alaska · 5,888 residents · 5.072 sq mi
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The short version

Palmer has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $60,156. Population has grown 30% since 2000. 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $215,500. At a median age of 34.0, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 34.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 40%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,888
+30%since 2000
from 4,533 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,161 / sq mi
+30%since 2000
from 894 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
34.0
+18%since 2000
from 28.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K4K5K7K8K1990201020202024Palmer
20246K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$60,156
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $45,571 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,848
+50%since 2000
from $17,203 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
39.8%
+6.2 ptssince 2009
from 33.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
12.9%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 12.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information14.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade7.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food2%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing1.9%
US avg: 0.5%
Construction1.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Retail trade1.6%
US avg: 10%
Other services1.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.8%
Public administration0.3%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$215,500
+40%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $102,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$974
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $623 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
63.1%
−1.4 ptssince 2000
from 64.5% in 2000
36.9% rent
Afford Score
3.6
+60%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic69.6%(4,099)
Black1.5%(91)
Hispanic / Latino6.2%(364)
Asian1.6%(95)
Other21.2%(1,251)
Diversity Score58.5%(3,445)
Diversity Score
59
+226%since 2000
from 18 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.2%
+6.7 ptssince 2000
from 14.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
93.3%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 87.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.8%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 6.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.3 min
+2%since 2000
from 27.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
77.3%
+12.7 ptssince 2009
from 64.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.6%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
11.9%
+1.8 ptssince 2011
from 10.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
59.2%
−7.4 ptssince 2011
from 66.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
32.0%
−26.4 ptssince 2009
from 58.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Female
49.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Foreign born
2.7%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
12.8%
−67.3 ptssince 2013
from 80.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Palmer to nearby cities

PALMER VS
North Lakes
Income$101,679+69%
Home value$357,600+66%
Population10,223+52%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PALMER VS
Tanaina
Income$105,536+75%
Home value$328,500+52%
Population9,646+44%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PALMER VS
Wasilla
Income$67,234+12%
Home value$358,400+66%
Population10,556+57%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PALMER VS
Meadow Lakes
Income$81,699+36%
Home value$323,100+50%
Population8,689+29%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Palmer, Alaska?

Palmer, Alaska has about 5,888 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Palmer, Alaska?

The typical household in Palmer, Alaska earns about $60,156 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 $215,500, and the typical rent is about $974 a month.

How educated are people in Palmer, Alaska?

About 21.2% 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 12.9% 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 3,022 residents, a change of about 105 percent over that period.

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

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