Population 21,590 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Palmer
Household size in Palmer
| Period | Palmer | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.78 | 2.79 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.02 | 2.88 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.40 | 2.91 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.77 | 2.72 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.01 | −0.07 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Palmer holds 2.77 people, slightly more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Alaska as a whole looks much the same. Households are largest in the southwest and smallest in the east.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Palmer
| Period | Palmer | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.7 | 35.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 34.7 | 35.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 34.6 | 35.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 38.3 | 37.1 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.7 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Palmer is 38.3 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 34.7, mirroring the country. Residents skew youngest in the center and oldest in the southeast.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Palmer
| Period | Palmer | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.9% | 14.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.1% | 13.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.3% | 12.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.6% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | −2.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in ten households in Palmer (9.6%), below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has edged down 1.3 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Palmer
Renters in Palmer
| Period | Palmer | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.0% | 35.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.5% | 36.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.4% | 35.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 20.4% | 33.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −2.6 pts | −2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 20.4% of households in Palmer rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 33.6% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the east; owners are most common in the southwest. The renter share has fallen 2.6 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Palmer
| Period | Palmer | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.0% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.1% | 15.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.5% | 16.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.2% | 15.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.8 pts | +1.0 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Palmer is close to the national rate: 8.2% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. The rate is lower than in Alaska as a whole (15.2%). Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 2.8 points, in line with the national trend.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Palmer
| Period | Palmer | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1987 | 1982 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1991 | 1984 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1993 | 1985 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1997 | 1987 | 1980 |
| Change | +11 | +5 | +6 |
Palmer has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1997, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1987 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the southwest, the oldest in the northeast.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Palmer
| Period | Palmer | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $893 | $1,067 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $999 | $1,192 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,066 | $1,322 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,521 | $1,518 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$628 | +$451 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Palmer costs $1,521 a month with utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $628 a month from 2006–10, a 70% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 29.3% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the east; the highest are in the southwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Palmer
Bachelor's degrees in Palmer
| Period | Palmer | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.5% | 26.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 27.1% | 26.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.3% | 29.1% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 31.8% | 31.1% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.3 pts | +4.9 pts | +7.2 pts |
Nearly a third of adults 25 and older in Palmer (31.8%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, a little below the national share of 35.6%. Alaska as a whole looks much the same. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 7.3 points, in line with the national trend.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Palmer
| Period | Palmer | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 91.5% | 90.6% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 94.1% | 91.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 93.2% | 92.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.0% | 93.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.5 pts | +2.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Palmer: 95.0% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 3.5 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Palmer
| Period | Palmer | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.1% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.5% | 9.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.5% | 7.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.4% | 6.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.7 pts | −3.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Palmer is the same as the national rate: 5.4% of the labor force. The rate is lower than in Alaska as a whole (6.2%). Unemployment has fallen 4.7 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Palmer compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palmer | 2.77 | 38.3 | 9.6% | 20.4% | 8.2% | 1997 | $1,521 | 31.8% | 95.0% | 5.4% |
| Gateway | 3.12 | 34.5 | 9.2% | 17.5% | 6.7% | 2001 | $1,614 | 34.9% | 95.3% | 4.3% |
| Lazy Mountain | 2.67 | 41.4 | 4.2% | 17.8% | 10.8% | 1990 | $980 | 32.7% | 96.5% | 6.5% |
| Buffalo Soapstone | 2.63 | 44.4 | 5.0% | 12.9% | 10.4% | 2000 | $1,450 | 34.3% | 94.6% | 5.5% |
| Lakes | 2.91 | 37.3 | 10.6% | 20.2% | 8.1% | 1993 | $1,680 | 25.2% | 95.4% | 7.2% |
| Wasilla | 2.70 | 36.5 | 10.8% | 38.3% | 8.0% | 1997 | $1,392 | 24.4% | 95.8% | 6.3% |
| Tanaina | 3.02 | 33.8 | 14.0% | 23.1% | 6.3% | 1996 | $1,451 | 22.7% | 92.9% | 5.8% |
| Eska | 2.80 | 48.6 | 4.5% | 14.2% | 21.6% | 1991 | $981 | 14.9% | 91.2% | 7.2% |
| Knik-Fairview | 3.04 | 33.1 | 10.7% | 15.3% | 9.6% | 2003 | $1,658 | 21.5% | 94.1% | 4.9% |
| Meadow Lakes | 2.78 | 37.1 | 13.6% | 23.0% | 18.7% | 1996 | $1,453 | 17.6% | 92.0% | 6.1% |
| Chugiak | 2.43 | 45.0 | 3.8% | 14.8% | 13.1% | 1988 | $1,294 | 47.6% | 95.3% | 3.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Rio Rico, AZ · Jasper, IN · Jenkintown, PA · La Crescenta-Montrose, CA · Lajas, PR · Lake Forest, IL · Lebanon, IN · Ludlow, MA · Pennsauken, NJ · Powhatan, VA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Palmer. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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