Section Image

Palmer

Palmer

$354,157 Average Value
$253 Average Price per Sq Ft
91 Homes For Sale

Palmer is an Alaska community offering a quiet, rustic setting

Considered a rural, Mayberry kind of town, Palmer's blend of valley and highland beauty offers an escape from metropolitan buzz. Often called “Alaska at its Best,” streetscapes here are dotted with tall pines and the community is surrounded by snow-capped ridges. Established in 1916 by George Palmer as a river trading post, it soon became a station on the Alaska Railroad. However, it was in 1935 that several hundred Midwest families headed to Palmer to pioneer a colony under President Roosevelt’s New Deal. Given a barn and 40 acres, these families were asked to establish Palmer as a farm community. Eighteen colony buildings from the ‘30s and ‘40s remain in a nine-block historic downtown, including the Colony House Museum.

Housing market includes established options and new construction

Home styles can range from a two-bedroom ‘80s downtown fixer-upper for $215,000 to a five-bedroom home with painted vertical siding for $425,000. You can also find newly constructed two-story Craftsman homes in the Green Acres community for $455,000 and new contemporary three-bedroom homes in the Hidden Ranch community for around $490,000. Yards are well-kept; and depending on where you live, Palmer’s flat streets sometimes feature sidewalks. Residents stay prepared for windstorms that sometimes blow in from the Matanuska River, and homes are often fortified with metal roofs.

Golf is a popular pastime in Palmer

George Collum, General Manager for the Palmer Municipal Golf Course, says, “I’ve talked to homeowners who’ve chosen to live in Palmer specifically because they can golf here in the valley. There’s the Mountain Rose Estates senior community about a mile down the street, where you’ll find many residents who golf. There’s also the new Rocky Point development with homes scattered around the course.” Local athletes play baseball and soccer at the Sherrod sports complex, where you’ll also find a BMX Bike Park and a walking trail along the Matanuska River.

Though rural, Palmer remains accessible by car and plane

While you won’t live here to walk to large employers, you commute to downtown Anchorage within about 40 miles. Collum adds, “One of the many interesting things about Palmer’s 18-hole championship course is that it’s situated right by Palmer Airport, which serves a lot of private planes. So, golfers actually fly in from other parts of the state to play for the day. It’s a public course, on flat terrain right along the Mat River, ranked by Golf Digest as one of Alaska’s best courses. And because we allow walking, it’s an excellent community resource for exercise when we have such long winters here. We have members who play 100 rounds of golf anywhere from mid-April to late October.”

Local high school has a standout cross-country program

Palmer public schools are within the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, which earns an A-minus grade from Niche. Younger students can start their journey at Swanson or Sherrod elementary schools, both earning a B-plus from Niche, before moving on to Palmer Middle, which Niche gives a B-minus grade. Older students head to Palmer High, which earns an overall B grade from Niche. In 2022 and 2023, Palmer High’s girls’ cross-country team won the Division II state title.

Fajitas to corn fritters, Palmer's restaurants offer variety

Locals enjoy homestyle meals and specialty apps such as corn fritters with honey butter at the high-spirited, family-owned Noisy Goose Restaurant when dining out. When the mood for authentic Mexican hits, colorful La Fiesta is the spot for “Las Famosas Fajitas.” For all your at-home cooking and essential needs, you can stock up at Fred Meyer, or across the street at Carr’s.

State fair is a staple of the community

Residents commemorate Palmer’s founding families yearly with a Colony Days celebration and 5-K in June, and a Colony Christmas parade in December. Palmer’s premier event, however, is the Alaska State Fair — the largest statewide. This lively 14-day extravaganza features bands, carnival rides, and a giant cabbage weigh-off. Thanks to summer days with 20 hours of sunshine, Palmer is known for producing mammoth vegetables.

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Bill Borden, an experienced agent in this area.

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Palmer Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$474,806
Median Sale Price
$448,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$466,635
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$372,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
426
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
8%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$253

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes for Sale
91
Months of Supply
2.60

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Jul 12
    1 - 3pm

    1447 N Ranch Rd, Palmer, AK 99645

    $450,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2,150 Sq Ft
    • 1447 N Ranch Rd
    • New 1 day ago

    Spacious, TRI-LEVEL home on quiet, corner lot! Do not be deceived! At first glance, this home could easily be mistaken for a ranch-style home, with the oversized garage and 3rd level around back. Covered porch. Many updates throughout.All bedrooms and family room are on the main level. Family room, primary bed and bath have vaulted ceilings.Conveniently located between Wasilla & Palmer.Spacious,

    Kristan Cole The Kristan Cole Team Branch Office Keller Williams Realty - Alaska Group

    Section Image
  • Sunday, Jul 13
    11am - 2pm

    9700 E Strand Dr, Palmer, AK 99645

    $475,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 2,668 Sq Ft
    • 9700 E Strand Dr
    • New 5 days ago

    This ranch-style home delivers thoughtful design with three full bathrooms, a spacious layout, and a full unfinished basement ready to be customized to your needs featuring stubbed in plumbing to add a bathroom. Whether you're upsizing, rightsizing, or investing, this home is a rare find with endless opportunity. As a bonus it features a fun private fire pit area for friends and family to enjoy!!

    Joshua Horacek Valley Market Real Estate

    Section Image
  • Saturday, Jul 12
    11am - 2pm

    10821 E Valley Crest Dr, Palmer, AK 99645

    $575,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,536 Sq Ft
    • 10821 E Valley Crest Dr
    • New 26 days ago

    Stunning 3 bedroom house on almost 2 acres of land with mountain views. The wall of windows provides a grand living space with a stone gas fireplace. There is a large primary suite upstairs and ample garage space. It is a private from the neighbors and in a great area of Palmer with potential for better mountain views! The yard and deck would be great for families or entertaining.

    Kalee Bowen Valley Market Real Estate

    Section Image

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Palmer Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
8,080
Median Age
36
Population under 18
26.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$72,660
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$91,290

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
93.7%
College Graduates
24.6%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
8.6%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
63%

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®®

78 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®®

69 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Palmer