Palmer at a glance
- Population: 6,378 people, the 8th-largest place among Alaska's 149 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 5,878 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: up about 8.5% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Alaska places: 8th-largest of 149 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 95% of the places in Alaska (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 61.5972, -149.1147 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities: Wasilla, AK (11 mi); Anchorage, AK (30 mi); Kenai, AK (100 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Nearest smaller towns: Houston, AK (23 mi); Whittier, AK (59 mi); Valdez, AK (99 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Palmer
With an installment loan the payment is fixed for the life of the loan, so the schedule is predictable from the first month to the last.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
Lenders weigh your credit history, income and debts when they set the rate, and the term you choose then determines how that rate compounds into total cost.
A useful rule is to keep the new payment inside the room your budget already has, so the loan eases pressure instead of adding to it.
Alaska lending rules that apply in Palmer
Each row below is a Alaska rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 10.5% per annum default; by contract, the greater of 10% or 5 percentage points above the 12th Federal Reserve District advance rate (loans over $25,000 exempt) Source says: "The rate of interest in the state is 10.5 percent a year and no more on money after it is due"; "more than the greater of 10 percent or five percentage points above the annual rate charged member banks for advances by the 12th Federal Reserve District". | Alaska Legislature — Alaska Statutes § 45.45.010 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted — licensed deferred deposit advances; max $500 outstanding per borrower; origination fee ≤$5; fee ≤$15 per $100 or 15%; minimum 14-day term Source says: "may not make advances to an advance recipient that exceed $500 outstanding in advances to the recipient at one time"; "a fee that does not exceed $15 for each $100 of an advance, or 15 percent of the total amount of the advance". | Alaska Legislature — Alaska Statutes §§ 06.50.410, 06.50.460 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | License required from the department to make loans of $25,000 or less at above-legal rates; $25,000 liquid assets and $25,000 bond required Source says: "without first obtaining a license from the department"; "liquid assets of at least $25,000". | Alaska Legislature — Alaska Statutes §§ 06.20.010, 06.20.040 as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (Division of Banking and Securities) Source says: "department means the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development". The Division of Banking and Securities (commerce.alaska.gov/web/dbs) administers the department's lending license programs. | Alaska Legislature — Alaska Statutes § 06.50.900(5) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Palmer
Before you commit to a personal loan in Palmer, work through these steps:
- Pull your free credit reports and dispute any error — it is the cheapest way to improve the rate you are offered.
- Run your figures through the personal loan calculator on this site so you know the payment before a lender quotes one.
- Pre-qualify with at least three lenders and compare the APR, not the interest rate.
- Check that the lender is licensed in Alaska using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.