Palmer city, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Palmer city, Alaska has a total population of 6,141, the 18th largest city in Alaska, with a median household income of $70,550, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 8.4% is notably above the national average.
Palmer city Quick Facts
How Palmer city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Palmer city Rankings in Alaska
Explore Alaska Rankings
Cities Similar to Palmer city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homer city | 5,750 | $73,723 | $363,700 | 40.6% | 11.8% |
| Kodiak city | 5,497 | $71,373 | $314,800 | 24.4% | 7.7% |
| South Lakes CDP | 6,132 | $89,632 | $367,700 | 23.3% | 10.6% |
| Kenai city | 7,562 | $74,907 | $249,400 | 24.1% | 12.3% |
| Bethel city | 6,313 | $109,718 | $354,400 | 20.1% | 12.8% |
Population Overview
Palmer city is a small city located in Alaska. The total population is 6,141. It ranks as the 18th most populous out of 330 cities and towns in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Palmer city is 32.9 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 35.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Palmer city is $70,550. This is 21% lower than the state median of $89,336. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 10% lower. The poverty rate stands at 11.0%. This is 8% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.2%. The unemployment rate is 8.4%. This is 45% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $275,900. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $333,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 62.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Palmer city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.2%. The Asian population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 6.3%.
Education
23.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% lower than the state rate of 31.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Palmer city, Alaska is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Alaska state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 330 Census-designated places in Alaska. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Palmer city, Alaska?
Palmer city, Alaska has a population of 6,141 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Palmer city, AK?
The median household income in Palmer city is $70,550, which is 10% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Palmer city, AK?
The poverty rate in Palmer city is 11.0%. This means approximately 648 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Palmer city, Alaska?
Palmer city's population is 71.1% White, 2.7% Black, 5.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Palmer city, AK?
The median home value in Palmer city is $275,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Palmer city, Alaska?
23.8% of adults (25+) in Palmer city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.