[4] Palmer hosts the annual Alaska State Fair, and is also the headquarters of the National Tsunami Warning Center.

[5] In the late 19th century, the U.S. government began to take interest in the Matanuska coal fields located north of Palmer.

Eleven million dollars from Federal Emergency Relief Administration was spent to create the town of Palmer and relocate 203 families from the hard hit Iron Range region of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

In 1971, the National Outdoor Leadership School started operating wilderness education courses in the nearby Talkeetna and Chugach mountain ranges from a local historic farmhouse, the Berry House, which is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In addition to an agrarian heritage, the colony families brought with them Midwest America's small-town values, institutional structures, and a well-planned city center reminiscent of their old hometowns in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

Construction of the statewide road system and the rapid development of Anchorage has fueled growth around Palmer.

Hatcher Pass, a local favorite for hiking, skiing and other recreational activities, is located in this mountain range about 22 mi (35 km) from Palmer.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.8 square miles (9.8 km2), all of it land.

Palmer has a climate similar to that of Anchorage, although with low temperatures that are on average 1.4 °F (0.8 °C) cooler and highs 0.8 °F (0.4 °C) warmer.

The town straddles the border between USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 4b and 5a, indicating the coldest temperature of the year is typically around −20 °F (−29 °C).

In 2008, Scott Robb of Palmer won 1st place and a $2,000 prize for his 79.1 lb (35.9 kg) cabbage.

The Palmer Museum of History and Art is located in the Visitor Information Center and offers visitors a chance to view artifacts from Palmer's history, provides maps to historical places to see and stocks guidebooks for more information on local attractions.

The Friday Fling is a local downtown event that takes place around the public library and train depot.

It serves as a local back-country area for skiers, snowboarders, snowmachiners, and hikers as well as a tourist attraction in the summer months.

[18] Colony High School bands play pep rally music, and different venders get together to bring a large crowd to support.

With Division I collegiate players from all over the United States, the Miners have twice captured the coveted National Baseball Congress championship, in 1987 and 1997.

Primary and secondary education in Palmer is a part of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District.

The Palmer Alaska Job Corps is at 800 E. Lynn Martin Drive, across from the Hageland airfield.

[22] On October 28, 1980,[26] Palmer and Saroma agreed to a bilateral sister relation to promote cultural exchange and support a home-stay program for their residents.

[27] The relationship began with a friendship formed between Mr. Mutsuhiro Ishiguro,[28] an English teacher at Saroma High School,[citation needed] and Palmer resident Edward Holmes.