Palmer, Alaska
Population: 10,002
Located in Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Palmer is located in the center of the lush farmlands of the Matanuska Valley, 42 miles northeast of Anchorage on the Glenn Highway, and is county seat of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Mat-Su is the link between Alaska's two largest cities, Anchorage to the south and Fairbanks to the north. It's truly Alaska's gateway to Denali National Park. Surrounded by Alaska's rich history and lore, Palmer is a quiet town that draws visitors from around the world to explore the area attractions. And there is no shortage of attractions from the Hatcher Pass Recreation Area to Independance Mine. Why not hike countless trails to glaciers, up rugged mountains, and picnic beside a rushing river? Set between two distinct ranges of towering, snowcapped mountains, Palmer began as a farming community and served as a gateway to the Alaska interior for fur traders, trappers, gold miners and those wanting to live life on the frontier. Since the late 1980s, Palmer has experienced steady growth. Expansion of the airport and the industrial park areas has also contributed to local growth. While Palmer has seen slower growth than neighboring Wasilla, it has retained the small-town feel and charm that sets it apart and draws visitors year after year. Palmer is home of the Alaska State Fair and is steeped in Alaska history. Where record size vegetables, museum and simple frontier buildings tell the tale of the struggles and success of a farm and mining community. Palmer has always placed its residents first and this is obvious by the tennis courts, baseball and softball parks, museums, library, and the indoor swimming pool. Why not attend a game with the Mat-Su miners baseball team, or play a round of golf? For something closer to home come and pick your own vegetables or meet our professional business people who run the local shopping centers, specialty stores and service businesses. Don't forget about winter! Sled dog rides and races, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing and a variety of social events are also popular winter activities. Alpine skiing is just an hour's drive from Palmer. The Reindeer Farm is about eight miles outside of Palmer on the Old Glenn Highway. The reindeer have starred in feature movies and commercials and frequently make guest appearances with Santa and serve as props in Christmas Cards. Palmer is home to 200 musk ox whose underwool (qiviut) is knitted into garments by Alaska Native women from 12 rural villages. Between 2,500 and 3,500 garments are created each year by these women, and sold by an Anchorage cooperative. The 75-acre musk ox farm is also a tourist attraction. The City of Palmer is located in the striking Matanuska Valley of Southcentral Alaska, between the Chugach and Talkeetna mountain ranges. The city's history and heritage are unique in Alaska. In 1935, the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, one of President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal projects, established the Matanuska Colony. From the drought starved Midwest, 203 families traveled by train and ship to reach the fledgling colony. Upon their arrival they were housed in a tent city during their first Alaskan summer. Each family drew lots for 40 acre tracts and their farming adventure began in earnest. While the colonists had varying degress of success with farming, Palmer is the only Alaskan Community that developed from an agricultural lifestyle. In addition to an agrarian heritage, the colony families brought with them small town values, institutional structures, and a well planned city center. Many of the structures built are now in a nationally recognized historic district. Today, Palmer is in the midst of a significant metamorphosis. In less than 20 years, the heart of the Matanuska Valley has evolved from rural, to bedroom community, to its own increasingly self-sufficient, commercial and employment center. The population growth in Palmer and the surrounding areas has been significant and the City's population has increased on the average of 3.3% since 2000, with 5,343 residents currently residing in the 5.2 square mile city. Since 2000, over $100,000,000 in new construction has been permitted in the City. This is substantial investment from both the public and private sector continues to fuel growth. The city is in the midst of major expansion of its water and sewer utilities to the new Mat-Su Regional Medical Center seven miles to the south at the juncture of the Glenn and Parks Highway. This substantial investment in the city's infrastructure helps set the foundation for future growth and expansion. Palmer is the home of several public and private schools, an active Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Merchants group, the Alaska State Fair the Alaska Job Corps Center, and State Superior and District courts. City facilities include an airport, library, ice arena, numerous parks and ball fields. In the past year a Museum Association, the Palmer Arts Council and a downtown business improvement district have been established by local citizens. Land is abundant in and around Palmer, and a selection of homes are available too – from bungalows, to sprawling contemporary homes, there is always something out here for the buyer. Land varies in price from $15,000 for 1.37 acres, and home prices average $160,000 for a three bedroom home, but there are certainly homes to be found for less than that! With excellent housing, great natural beauty, wonderful activities and so much more, is it any wonder then that Palmer has become such a premier place to live?
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