The Town of Palmer is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 12,497 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. Although known as a town, Palmer adopted a home rule charter in 2004 with a council-manager form of government and is considered a city under Massachusetts law. The communities of Bondsville, Thorndike, Palmer, and Three Rivers are located in the town.