Palmer, AK

Census Place

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2021 Population

5,978

18.8% 1-year decline

US Senator

Lisa Murkowski

Republican Party

US Senator

Dan Sullivan

Republican Party

US Representative

Mary Peltola

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

30.5

3.17% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

11.9%

7.36% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$62,068

3.18% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$224,500

4.18% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

2,457

14.7% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Palmer, AK had a population of 5.98k people with a median age of 30.5 and a median household income of $62,068. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Palmer, AK declined from 7,359 to 5,978, a −18.8% decrease and its median household income grew from $60,156 to $62,068, a 3.18% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Palmer, AK are White (Non-Hispanic) (68.9%), American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) (8.61%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (8.4%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (3.5%), and White (Hispanic) (3.46%).

None of the households in Palmer, AK reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

99.3% of the residents in Palmer, AK are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Palmer, AK are Alaska Bible College (5 degrees awarded in 2021).

In 2021, the median property value in Palmer, AK was $224,500, and the homeownership rate was 61.4%.

Most people in Palmer, AK drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 27.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Palmer, AK was 2 cars per household.

United States Alaska Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK Anchorage, AK Matanuska-Susitna & Kenai Peninsula Boroughs PUMA, AK

Population & Diversity

Palmer, AK is home to a population of 5.98k people, from which 99.3% are citizens. As of 2021, 2.89% of Palmer, AK residents were born outside of the country (173 people).

In 2021, there were 8 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (4.12k people) in Palmer, AK than any other race or ethnicity. There were 515 American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) and 502 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99.3%

2021 Citizenship

99%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 99.3% of Palmer, AK residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Palmer, AK was 99%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Palmer, AK compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Palmer, AK

White (Non-Hispanic)
4.12k ± 179
American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic)
515 ± 121
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
502 ± 98.6

6.96%

Hispanic Population

416 people

6.96% of the people in Palmer, AK are hispanic (416 people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Palmer, AK as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Alaska.

Most Common Origin

Philippines
20,618 ± 3,476 people
Thailand
3,480 ± 1,445 people
Mexico
3,321 ± 1,412 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Alaska was Philippines, the natal country of 20,618 Alaska residents, followed by Thailand with 3,480 and Mexico with 3,321.

Foreign-Born Population

2.89%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

173 people

2.7%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

199 people

As of 2021, 2.89% of Palmer, AK residents (173 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Palmer, AK was 2.7%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Palmer, AK compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
210 ± 45
Gulf War (1990s)
101 ± 53
Vietnam
94 ± 30

Palmer, AK has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 2.08 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Palmer, AK employs 2.46k people. The largest industries in Palmer, AK are Health Care & Social Assistance (443 people), Retail Trade (306 people), and Public Administration (294 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($100,750), Utilities ($77,917), and Finance & Insurance ($68,125).

Males in Alaska have an average income that is 1.27 times higher than the average income of females, which is $59,604. The income inequality in Alaska (measured using the Gini index) is 0.437, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

2.46k

2021 Value

± 166

−14.7%

1 Year decline

± 11.6%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Palmer, AK declined at a rate of −14.7%, from 2.88k employees to 2.46k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Palmer, AK, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (329 people), Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (178 people), and Management Occupations (176 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Palmer, AK.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Alaska (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

2.46k

2021 Value

± 166

−14.7%

1 Year decline

± 11.6%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Palmer, AK declined at a rate of −14.7%, from 2.88k employees to 2.46k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Palmer, AK, are Health Care & Social Assistance (443 people), Retail Trade (306 people), and Public Administration (294 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Palmer, AK, though some of these residents may live in Palmer, AK and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$47,255

Median earning men ± $3,748

$31,089

Median earning women ± $5,367

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($97,500), Public Administration ($73,750), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($56,964).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($57,813), Public Administration ($55,694), and Construction ($54,375).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Alaska. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Alaska.

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Alaska to other states, or from other states to Alaska.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Alaska product (by dollars) was Electronics with $11B, followed by Crude petroleum ($7.58B) and Meat/seafood ($4.53B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Alaska products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Alaska.

$43.1B

2020 Value in Alaska

$68.3B

Projected 2050 Value in Alaska

58.3% growth

In 2020, total outbound Alaska trade was $43.1B. This is expected to increase 58.3% to $68.3B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Alaska trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Alaska to other states, or from other states to Alaska.

Most Common Trade Partners

California
$8.09B
Texas
$3.13B
Washington
$2.85B

In 2020, the top outbound Alaska domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was California with $8.09B, followed by Texas with $3.13B and Washington and $2.85B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Alaska shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Alaska went to Donald J. Trump with 52.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (42.8%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (2.47%).

Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan are the senators currently representing the state of Alaska. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Palmer, AK is currently represented by Mary Peltola in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Palmer, AK. Showing the available data for Alaska.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (52.8%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (42.8%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (2.47%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Alaska went to Donald J. Trump with 52.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (42.8%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (2.47%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Alaska for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Alaska

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Alaska.

Lisa Murkowski

Senator from Alaska

Assumed office on December 20, 2002
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of her father Frank Murkowski, who was elected List of governors of Alaska|Governor of Alaska.

Dan Sullivan

Senator from Alaska

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan are the senators currently representing Alaska.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Alaska over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Palmer, AK

Mary Peltola

Alaska at-large Representative

Democratic Party

Palmer, AK is currently represented by Mary Peltola (Democratic Party).

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the member for Palmer, AK have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Palmer, AK awarded 5 degrees. The student population of Palmer, AK in 2021 is skewed towards men, with 28 male students and 16 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Palmer, AK are White (4 and 80%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (1 and 20%), Asian (0 and 0%), and Black or African American (0 and 0%).

The largest universities in Palmer, AK by number of degrees awarded are Alaska Bible College (5 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Palmer, AK are Biblical Studies (5 and 100%).

The median tuition cost in Palmer, AK for private four year colleges is $10,200.

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2021 there were 44 students enrolled in Palmer, AK, 63.6% men and 36.4% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 40 records, of which 37.5% were women and 62.5% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Biblical Studies

Most Common

4 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Palmer, AK was Biblical Studies with 4 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Palmer, AK according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Alaska Bible College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

5 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Alaska Bible College with 5 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2021, 3 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Palmer, AK, which is 1.5 times more than the 2 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 4 degrees mean that there were 4 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 1 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($10,200) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($700) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($400) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Alaska.

Measure

In 2021, 0.483% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.417% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Alaska.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (166k), Some college (150k), and Bachelors Degree (97.5k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Palmer, AK was $224,500 in 2021, which is 0.917 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $215,500 to $224,500, a 4.18% increase. The homeownership rate in Palmer, AK is 61.4%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Palmer, AK have an average commute time of 27.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Palmer, AK is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Palmer, AK is $62,068. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in Palmer, AK was Census Tract 3 with a value of $91,016, followed by Census Tract 12.02 and Census Tract 12.01, with respective values of $89,115 and $69,292.

Housing

Property

$224,500

Median Property Value 2021

±$6,670

$1,267

Median Property Taxes

±$117

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Palmer, AK the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Palmer, AK compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

61.4%

Homeownership

2021

67.4%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 61.4% of the housing units in Palmer, AK were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 64.4%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Palmer, AK compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 3
Census Tract 12.02
Census Tract 12.01

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Palmer, AK was Census Tract 3 with a value of $91,016, followed by Census Tract 12.02 and Census Tract 12.01, with respective values of $89,115 and $69,292.

The following map shows all of the places in Palmer, AK colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$62,068

Median Household Income

± $5,594

2.06k

Number of Households

± 141

In 2021, the median household income of the 2.06k households in Palmer, AK grew to $62,068 from the previous year's value of $60,156.

The following chart displays the households in Palmer, AK distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Palmer, AK is from Alaska.

0.437

2021 Wage GINI in Alaska

0.435

2020 Wage GINI in Alaska

In 2021, the income inequality in Alaska was 0.437 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.513% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Alaska was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Alaska in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Alaska across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (79.2%)
Carpooled (10.2%)
Worked At Home (5.18%)

In 2021, 79.2% of workers in Palmer, AK drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (10.2%) and those who worked at home (5.18%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

27.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Palmer, AK have a longer commute time (27.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.77% of the workforce in Palmer, AK have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Palmer, AK compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Palmer, AK distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Palmer, AK have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

11.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Palmer, AK (674 out of 5.65k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 18 - 24, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males < 5.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Palmer, AK is White, followed by Native American and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

87.7% of the population of Palmer, AK has health coverage, with 35.9% on employee plans, 25.4% on Medicaid, 7.3% on Medicare, 13.7% on non-group plans, and 5.46% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK see 1969 patients per year on average, which represents a 3% decrease from the previous year (2030 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2079 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 379 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK.

1,969 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK

Primary care physicians in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK see an average of 1,969 patients per year. This represents a 3% decrease from the previous year (2,030 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 28.9% under 18 years, 28.9% between 18 and 34 years, 30% between 35 and 64 years, and 12.2% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.7% were men and 49.3% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

12.3%

Uninsured

35.9%

Employer Coverage

25.4%

Medicaid

7.3%

Medicare

13.7%

Non-Group

5.46%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Palmer, AK declined by 4.44% from 12.8% to 12.3%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Palmer, AK changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.