Palmer, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Palmer, Alaska had a total population of 6,268, the 18th largest city in Alaska, with a median household income of $72,201, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Palmer Quick Facts
How Palmer Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,141 | 6,268 | +2.1% |
| Median household income | $70,550 | $72,201 | +2.3% |
| Median home value | $275,900 | $294,900 | +6.9% |
How Palmer Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Palmer Rankings in Alaska
Explore Alaska Rankings
Other Cities in Matanuska-Susitna Borough
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knik-Fairview | 19,972 | $96,437 | 9.2% | $340,200 |
| North Lakes | 10,223 | $101,679 | 7.3% | $357,600 |
| Wasilla | 9,720 | $67,234 | 17.5% | $358,400 |
| Tanaina | 9,646 | $105,536 | 8.6% | $328,500 |
| Meadow Lakes | 8,689 | $81,699 | 14.1% | $323,100 |
| Gateway | 6,845 | $137,772 | 4.5% | $446,200 |
| South Lakes | 6,180 | $98,141 | 7.6% | $377,500 |
| Fishhook | 5,819 | $111,375 | 9.2% | $416,300 |
| Butte | 4,085 | $101,042 | 6.7% | $374,600 |
| Big Lake | 3,585 | $81,406 | 11.5% | $298,700 |
Cities Similar to Palmer
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homer | 5,877 | $74,449 | $388,400 | 40.1% | 11.8% |
| South Lakes | 6,180 | $98,141 | $377,500 | 24.1% | 7.6% |
| Sterling | 6,323 | $102,415 | $353,400 | 29.2% | 4.5% |
| Bethel | 6,312 | $117,255 | $360,200 | 24.5% | 11.6% |
| Kodiak | 5,447 | $90,292 | $347,100 | 25.3% | 7.5% |
Population Overview
Palmer is a small city located in Alaska, within Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The total population is 6,268. It ranks as the 18th most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Palmer is 32.9 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 35.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Palmer is $72,201. This is 22% lower than the state median of $92,788. It is also 11% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.0%. This is 29% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.1%. The unemployment rate is 6.9%. This is 18% higher than the state rate of 5.9%. The median home value is $294,900. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $352,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 63.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Palmer is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.7%. The Asian population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 6.3%.
Education
24.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 23% lower than the state rate of 31.7%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Palmer, Alaska is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Alaska state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 326 Census-designated places in Alaska. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Palmer, Alaska?
Palmer, Alaska has a population of 6,268 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Palmer, AK?
The median household income in Palmer is $72,201, which is 11% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Palmer, AK?
The poverty rate in Palmer is 13.0%. This means approximately 788 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Palmer, Alaska?
Palmer's population is 70.9% White, 2.0% Black, 6.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Palmer, AK?
The median home value in Palmer is $294,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Palmer, Alaska?
24.5% of adults (25+) in Palmer hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.