Where is Palmer, Alaska, USA?

Written and fact-checked by | Reviewed by WhereIG Editorial Team | Last updated: August 14, 2026, 18:45 ET

Where is Palmer Located? - Palmer is a city located in the Matanuska-Susitna County of Alaska, United States. Palmer lies between 59.0395 Degrees North latitudes and 158.4633 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Palmer, Alaska

Where is Palmer, Alaska

Palmer Map, Alaska, USA

Where is Palmer?: The Google Map showing the location of Palmer in the U.S. state of Alaska.

Where is Palmer Located?

Palmer is a city located in the Matanuska-Susitna County of Alaska, United States. Palmer lies between 59.0395 Degrees North latitudes and 158.4633 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Palmer city is 5888 people and the city has a total area of 5.07 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

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Palmer, Alaska Quick Facts

AttributeDetails
CityPalmer
CountyMatanuska-Susitna Borough
StateAlaska
State CapitalJuneau
US RegionWestern United States (Pacific Region)
Latitude61.5994° N
Longitude149.1146° W
Elevation236 ft (72 m)
Land Area5.06 sq mi
Water Area0.07 sq mi
Total Area5.13 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)5,888
Population DensityApproximately 1,164 people per sq mi
ZIP Codes99645
Area Code907
Time Zone StandardAlaska Standard Time (AKST, UTC−9)
Time Zone DaylightAlaska Daylight Time (AKDT, UTC−8)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code02-58000
Congressional DistrictAlaska At-Large Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in Palmer, Alaska

CategoryDetails
Airport NamePalmer Municipal Airport
IATA CodePAQ
PortNo commercial port
Major HighwaysGlenn Highway (AK-1), Parks Highway (AK-3, nearby), Palmer-Wasilla Highway
Train/Amtrak ServiceNo Amtrak service; Alaska Railroad passenger service available nearby in Wasilla
Local Bus/Transit ServiceMatanuska-Susitna Community Transit (Valley Transit)
  • Glenn Highway (AK-1) – Main highway connecting Palmer with Anchorage, Glennallen, and eastern Alaska.
  • Parks Highway (AK-3) – Accessible via nearby Wasilla, linking the region with Denali National Park and Fairbanks.
  • Palmer-Wasilla Highway – Connects Palmer with Wasilla and serves as a major commuter corridor in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley.

Top Places to Visit in Palmer, Alaska

Landmark NameType
Alaska State FairgroundsFairgrounds
Musk Ox FarmWildlife Attraction
Reindeer FarmFarm
Lazy MountainMountain
Hatcher PassScenic Area
Independence Mine State Historical ParkHistoric Site
Palmer Museum of History and ArtMuseum
Matanuska GlacierGlacier
Government Peak Recreation AreaRecreation Area
Pioneer FallsNatural Attraction

Driving Distances from Palmer, Alaska to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
WasillaAlaska1320 minutes
HoustonAlaska2835 minutes
AnchorageAlaska4355 minutes
Eagle RiverAlaska3240 minutes
Big LakeAlaska3545 minutes
Sutton-AlpineAlaska2330 minutes
WillowAlaska521 hour
GlennallenAlaska1392 hours 30 minutes
TalkeetnaAlaska891 hour 45 minutes
FairbanksAlaska3155 hours 45 minutes

Colleges and Universities in Palmer, Alaska

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
University of Alaska Anchorage – Matanuska-Susitna CollegePublicCollegeTransfer and workforce education
Alaska Bible CollegePrivateCollegeChristian ministry education
University of Alaska Fairbanks – Cooperative Extension Service (Palmer)PublicExtension CenterAgricultural research and outreach
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School DistrictPublicK–12 DistrictPrimary and secondary education

Waterbodies in Palmer, Alaska

Matanuska River, Knik River, Bodenburg Creek, Moose Creek, Eklutna Lake, Finger Lake, Wasilla Lake, Matanuska Lake, Jim Creek, Matanuska Glacier Lake

Stadiums in Palmer

Matanuska-Susitna College Gymnasium, Palmer High School Stadium, Alaska State Fairgrounds Event Arena, Government Peak Recreation Area, Palmer Golf Course, Settlers Bay Golf Course, Fishhook Golf Course

Palmer, Alaska — Key Historical Facts

  • Palmer was established in the 1930s as part of the federally sponsored Matanuska Colony Project, which relocated farming families from the Midwest to south-central Alaska.
  • The city's fertile glacial soils helped it become one of Alaska's leading agricultural communities, known for producing exceptionally large vegetables.
  • The Alaska State Fair, first held in Palmer in 1936, has grown into one of the state's largest annual events and showcases the region's agricultural heritage.
  • Palmer's location along the Glenn Highway strengthened its role as a transportation and commercial center for the Matanuska-Susitna Valley.
  • Today, Palmer serves as a gateway to Hatcher Pass, Matanuska Glacier, and other outdoor destinations while preserving its unique farming history.

References

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