Palmer is the seat of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, 42 miles northeast of Anchorage on the Glenn Highway. Founded as part of the 1935 Matanuska Colony, it was incorporated on 30 April 1951 and had 5,888 residents in 2020.[1]
| Borough | Matanuska-Susitna Borough (seat) |
|---|---|
| Population | 5,888 (2020) |
| Incorporated | 30 Apr 1951 |
| Known for | Matanuska Colony, Alaska State Fair |
Matanuska Colony
In 1935 the Federal Emergency Relief Administration spent about $11 million creating a planned agricultural settlement and relocating 203 families from the Iron Range of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The families arrived by train and ship in May 1935, spent their first summer in a tent city and drew lots for 40-acre farm tracts. Many farms failed, but descendants still live in the area.[1]
Agriculture
Railroad access opened markets for Matanuska Valley farmers, and working farms remain. The Alaska State Fair is held in Palmer; in 2008 a Palmer grower won a fair contest with a 79.1-pound cabbage.[1]
FAQs
What was the Matanuska Colony? A 1935 federal resettlement project that moved 203 families to farms in the valley.
How far is Palmer from Anchorage? 42 miles northeast.
What event does Palmer host? The Alaska State Fair.
Sources
Key facts
- Population 5,888 (2020)
- Colony 1935
- Alaska State Fair host
Quick checkHow many families joined the Matanuska Colony?Show answer
203.
Sources
- Wikipedia. Palmer, Alaska. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-12)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 12, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue