countyscore
38.6
County Score
Income & Jobs 79.5Disaster Risk 66Safety 60.6

County Report Card

About Nome Census Area, Alaska

Significantly Below National Livability Standard

Nome Census Area scores 38.6, nearly 12 points below the national median of 50.0 and in the 25th percentile. This places it among the lowest-scoring U.S. counties for overall livability.

Lowest Performer Among Alaska Counties

Nome ranks well below Alaska's state average of 51.1, making it one of the least livable counties in the state. This low standing reflects extreme isolation combined with economic pressures.

Strong Income Offsets Remote Challenges

Nome's income score of 79.5 and median household income of $76,643 are notably strong, suggesting well-compensated jobs in resource extraction and government. The safety score of 60.6 also provides moderate protection.

Health, Taxes, and Water Quality Critical

Nome faces severe challenges with a health score of 8.2 and water score of 1.0, plus the nation's steepest tax burden with a 1.547% effective rate and tax score of just 10.9. High rent at $1,328/month compounds the affordability squeeze.

For Specialists Earning High Wages Only

Nome suits highly specialized workers—mining engineers, seasonal health professionals, government contractors—who earn premium wages to offset extreme isolation and harsh living costs. This is not suitable for average-income families or those seeking urban conveniences.

2040608010010.936.660.68.254.479.566149.9Tax10.9Cost36.6Safety60.6Health8.2Schools54.4Income79.5Risk66Water1Weather49.938.6/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Nome Census Area DNA

Foverall

How Nome Census Area compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Nome Census Area is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (79.5/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
10.9-41.1
Cost
36.6-11.399999999999999
Safety
60.6
Health
8.2-41.8
Schools
54.4
Income
79.5+28.5
Risk
66+19
Water
1-57
Weather
49.9
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$201,000

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$1,328/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$201,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$53,120/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $76,643/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

131.0

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

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Nearby counties

Kusilvak Census Area
Alaska
55.2
Northwest Arctic Borough
Alaska
50.1
Bethel Census Area
Alaska
45.9
Dillingham Census Area
Alaska
46.8
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area
Alaska
32.6
Denali Borough
Alaska
47
Bristol Bay Borough
Alaska
45.9
North Slope Borough
Alaska
48.6

Deep Dives

Nome Census Area across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Nome Census Area

via TaxByCounty

Nome's taxes rank among nation's steepest

At 1.547%, Nome Census Area's effective tax rate places it in the top 10% nationally—higher than 90% of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $3,110 exceeds the national median of $2,690 by 16%, despite homes averaging $201,000, well below the national median.

Second-highest taxes in Alaska

Nome's 1.547% rate ranks second only to Matanuska-Susitna's 1.100% in the state, nearly double Alaska's 0.772% average. Median taxes ($3,110) come in 42% above the state median ($2,187), reflecting Nome's remote location and high service costs.

Nome stands out for tax burden

Nome's 1.547% rate significantly exceeds Northwest Arctic Borough (0.122%), North Slope Borough (0.948%), and Kusilvak (0.274%), its nearest regional peers. This disparity reflects Nome's higher municipal infrastructure and service demands as Alaska's northwestern regional hub.

What $201,000 homes cost annually

On Nome's median home valued at $201,000, homeowners pay approximately $3,110 per year in property taxes—roughly $260 monthly. With a mortgage, the burden climbs to $3,401, making Nome one of Alaska's priciest jurisdictions to own property.

Appeal if your assessment is inflated

High effective rates like Nome's often correlate with overassessment across the region. Request a detailed comparison of your home to recent comparable sales, and file a formal assessment appeal if your property value appears misaligned with market reality.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Nome Census Area

via CostByCounty

Nome's rents pinch despite strong income

Nome's median household income of $76,643 slightly exceeds the U.S. average of $74,755, yet its rent-to-income ratio of 20.8% marks Alaska's highest affordability challenge. At $1,328/month, Nome's rents are among Alaska's priciest, driven by extreme remoteness and limited supply.

Alaska's tightest rental squeeze

Nome's 20.8% rent-to-income ratio ranks worst among all eight surveyed Alaska boroughs, exceeding the state average of 18.6% by 2.2 percentage points. This reflects Nome's unique isolation as a remote gold-rush region where supply constraints push rents toward the state's highest levels.

Isolated supply drives expensive rents

Nome's $1,328/month rent ranks among Alaska's highest despite moderate local income, reflecting extreme remoteness and limited housing stock typical of frontier communities. Compared to slightly-better-positioned Northwest Arctic ($1,336) and Kusilvak ($832), Nome occupies an affordability sweet spot between urban and subsistence-level Alaska.

High rent burden, moderate income

Renters dedicate $1,328/month to rent against a $76,643 annual income ($6,387/month), consuming one-fifth of gross earnings and limiting savings capacity. Homeowners face monthly costs of $748 on properties valued at $201,000, offering slightly better long-term wealth-building than renting despite higher absolute payments.

Nome demands strong income buffer

Moving to Nome requires household income above $76,600 to maintain reasonable affordability—and ideally significantly higher to avoid rent stress. The region's gold-rush heritage and Arctic lifestyle appeal, but plan for elevated housing costs even as an established income earner.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Nome Census Area

via IncomeByCounty

Nome keeps pace with national earnings

Nome's median household income of $76,643 tracks just slightly above the U.S. median of $74,755, demonstrating solid middle-class earnings. The per capita income of $30,047 is below the national average, suggesting wage concentration among fewer high earners.

Upper-middle income in Alaska

Nome ranks above Alaska's state median income of $79,407 by just 3%, placing it solidly in the state's upper-middle tier. Despite lower per capita income of $30,047 compared to Alaska's average of $42,832, Nome households still maintain respectable collective earnings.

Stronger than western region peers

Nome's $76,643 income exceeds Prince of Wales-Hyder ($59,079) and approaches Northwest Arctic Borough ($81,298), positioning it as a mid-tier earner among rural Alaskan communities. The region's gold mining heritage and fishing economy support these moderate-to-good wage levels.

Housing costs demand careful budgeting

At 20.8%, Nome's rent-to-income ratio is slightly elevated, meaning housing consumes roughly one-fifth of household income—a manageable but not-ideal proportion. The median home value of $201,000 reflects Arctic real estate premiums balanced against solid household earnings.

Build wealth strategically in Nome

Consistent household income of $76,643 supports steady wealth-building through automatic savings transfers and retirement plan contributions. Explore employer pension benefits common in resource-based economies and consider long-term investment strategies suited to Alaska's economic cycles.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Nome Census Area

via CrimeByCounty

Safety score stays on par

Nome Census Area holds a safety score of 98.6, which is identical to the Alaska average. Its total crime rate of 908.4 remains well below the national total of 2,385.5 per 100,000.

Matches the Alaska state average

The area's safety score of 98.6 perfectly matches the state average for Alaska. While total crime is lower than the U.S. average, specific local trends require attention.

Total crime exceeds state norms

Nome's total crime rate of 908.4 per 100,000 is slightly higher than the Alaska state average of 861.7. This single-agency data points to a more active law enforcement environment than some neighbors.

High violent crime vs low property crime

The violent crime rate is 718.7, which is nearly double the national average of 369.8. Conversely, property crime is very low at 189.7, which is less than a tenth of the national average.

Personal safety is the priority

Because violent crime rates are elevated locally, situational awareness is particularly important. Ensuring homes are secure and communities are connected can help improve local safety metrics.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Nome Census Area

via SchoolsByCounty

A High-Performing Western Alaska Network

Nome Census Area supports 2,549 students across 19 public schools divided into two primary districts. The system is built around 16 'other' schools that provide PK-12 education, alongside dedicated elementary, middle, and high school facilities. This structure ensures consistent educational access across remote coastal and inland communities.

Exceptional Scores and Record Funding

The area boasts a school score of 75.8, significantly outperforming the state average of 62.3 and the national median of 50.0. This performance is backed by a substantial per-pupil investment of $20,058, nearly double the national average of $13,000. The graduation rate of 78.7% sits right at the state average but shows room for growth compared to national benchmarks.

Bering Strait and Nome Public Districts

The Bering Strait School District is the larger of the two, managing 15 schools for 1,830 students. Nome Public Schools serves the regional hub with 4 schools and 719 students. One charter school currently operates in the area, offering a specialized alternative to the traditional public school model.

Remote Rural Learning with Small Classes

With 18 of 19 schools classified as rural, students benefit from small environments averaging just 134 students per school. Nome Elementary is the area's largest facility with 338 students, providing a more traditional 'town' school feel. Other campuses like Hogarth Kingeekuk Memorial offer the small-scale, high-attention learning typical of the Bering Strait region.

Education Quality in the Bering Sea Region

If you are prioritizing high school scores and significant per-pupil investment, Nome is a standout choice in Alaska. Homes in the city of Nome offer the easiest access to the area's larger elementary and middle/high schools. Quality education is a primary driver for property values in this regional hub.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Nome Census Area

via RiskByCounty

Nome's risk slightly below national average

Nome Census Area scores 34.06 on the composite risk scale, just under the national average and earning a Very Low rating. The county's remote location and sparse development mitigate disaster exposure despite Alaska's active natural hazards.

Middle-of-pack risk for Alaska

Nome ranks near the median among Alaska counties with a 34.06 score, marginally below the state average of 35.22. The census area represents a typical risk profile for rural Alaskan communities.

Less risky than some, similar to others

Nome's 34.06 score trails Kusilvak Census Area (57.92) but exceeds North Slope Borough (14.76) and Northwest Arctic Borough's neighbors. The county sits squarely in Alaska's moderate-risk midrange.

Earthquake and wildfire share top billing

Earthquake risk scores 73.54 in Nome, the area's dominant hazard, while wildfire risk reaches 45.17. Flood risk remains minimal at 5.73, reflecting the region's coastal drainage patterns.

Earthquake insurance paired with wildfire prep

Nome residents should prioritize earthquake coverage given significant seismic exposure in western Alaska. Wildfire insurance and community preparedness plans provide secondary protection for a balanced risk mitigation strategy.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Nome Census Area

via WaterByCounty

Severe Compliance Challenges in Nome

Nome Census Area carries a water quality grade of F with 295 health violations over a five-year period. The violation rate of 2857.1 per 100,000 people is more than double the Alaska state average. These frequent SDWA violations indicate persistent issues with public drinking water systems.

Watersheds Await Official Assessment

Local water bodies in the Nome Census Area are not yet covered in the federal §303(d) assessment. There are currently no reported impairments, but this is due to a lack of data rather than confirmed purity. The absence of an ATTAINS reporting cycle makes it difficult to judge regional ecosystem health.

Substantial Monitoring Data Tracks Local Inorganics

Over the last five years, 23 monitoring sites have generated ,1725 measurements in the region. Most efforts focus on inorganic chemicals, physical characteristics, and metals. This data provides the primary baseline for understanding the chemical makeup of Nome's water resources.

Unalakleet River Gauge Lacks Flow Data

The USGS gauge on the Unalakleet River above Chiroskey River currently provides no live discharge or mean flow data. While the gauge covers a 1,050 square mile drainage area, the lack of real-time stats limits immediate insights into runoff levels. Compliance data remains the most active signal for water health in this area.

Address High Violation Risk at Home

The high violation rate makes point-of-use filtration and regular testing essential for Nome residents. Since watershed impairment data is missing, checking for local inorganic contaminants is a smart precaution. Relying on bottled or deeply filtered water during active violation alerts is highly recommended.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Nome Census Area

via WeatherByCounty

Extreme subarctic cold far from national norms

Nome averages just 28.0°F annually, placing it among the coldest regions in the United States. This temperature sits roughly 25 degrees below the national median, defining a truly subarctic environment. Extreme heat is nonexistent here, with zero days ever reaching 90°F.

One of the colder regions in Alaska

The area's 28.0°F average is significantly lower than the Alaska state average of 35.9°F. It ranks among the colder third of the state's regions due to its exposed Bering Sea location. This makes it much colder than southern hubs like the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.

A middle ground between Arctic and Interior

Nome is significantly warmer than the North Slope’s 14.5°F average but colder than the Northwest Arctic Borough. Its 17.2 inches of annual precipitation is higher than the North Slope but lower than the state average. This balance creates a unique, wind-swept maritime-tundra climate.

Severe winters and nearly 81 inches of snow

Winters are harsh with a January average of only 5.6°F and 80.8 inches of annual snowfall. Summers offer little relief from the cold, with July temperatures averaging a cool 52.0°F. The region remains frozen for a large portion of the year, with zero extreme heat days recorded.

Focus on insulation and wind protection

Residents must invest in high-performance arctic clothing to survive winter averages of 7.9°F. Specialized home insulation and backup heating are vital for the long, snow-heavy winter months. Rain gear is also necessary, as 17.2 inches of precipitation falls across the seasons.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Lawn Care in Nome Census Area

via LawnByCounty

Tough Conditions for Nome Lawns

Nome Census Area has a lawn difficulty score of 53.8, making it more challenging than the state average of 57.8. Short seasons and low temperatures mean lawn care requires more patience and specific local knowledge than elsewhere in the country.

Minimal Warmth and Low Rainfall

The area sees only 17.2 inches of annual precipitation and just 247 growing degree days, which is very low for turf development. Without any extreme heat, the primary challenge is the short, cool growing window where the July average is only 52.0°F.

Building a Base in Nome

Native soil data is unavailable, but the sub-arctic environment often features thin or rocky topsoil. Homeowners should aim to build a nutrient-rich foundation with compost to help grass establish quickly during the brief summer.

Nome Faces Significant Dry Spells

Currently, 67.6% of the area is classified as abnormally dry (D0), a high percentage for this region. Even though there were no weeks of official drought, this dryness combined with low annual rainfall makes irrigation essential.

A Tight Window for Growth

The last spring frost arrives late on June 5, and the first fall frost hits by September 3, leaving less than 100 days for growth. Use specialized sub-arctic seed mixes and plant immediately after the spring thaw to maximize the season.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nome Census Area's county score?
Nome Census Area, Alaska has a composite county score of 38.6 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Nome Census Area rank among counties in Alaska?
Nome Census Area ranks #27 among all counties in Alaska on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Nome Census Area, Alaska?
The median annual property tax in Nome Census Area is $3,110, with an effective tax rate of 1.55%. This earns Nome Census Area a tax score of 10.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Nome Census Area?
The median household income in Nome Census Area, Alaska is $76,643 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Nome Census Area earns an income score of 79.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Nome Census Area, Alaska a good place to live?
Nome Census Area scores 38.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #27 in Alaska. The best way to evaluate Nome Census Area is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Nome Census Area with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.