Palmer is 68 km (42 miles) northeast of Anchorage on the Glenn Highway. This community of one of two towns in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, a region that grew dramatically in the past decade; Borough officials estimate the local population at 80,000. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.8 square miles (9.7 km²), all of it land.In the city the population was spread out with 33.6% under the age of 18, 11.8% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older.

Palmer is the gateway to Alaska's foremost recreation area with campgrounds, lakes and over 50 resorts - a fact long recognized and little publicized by local Alaskans. On a typical weekend. Palmer Municipal Airport supports private and chartered services with two paved airstrips, one at 6,009' long by 60' wide and the other at 3,617' long by 75' wide. There are seven additional privately-owned airstrips in the vicinity. Palmer is home to 200 musk ox whose underwool (qiviut) is knitted into garments by Alaska Native women from several 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.