countyscore
38.1
County Score
Income & Jobs 79.7Disaster 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.

204060801009.53560.68.254.479.766149.9Tax9.5Cost35Safety60.6Health8.2Schools54.4Income79.7Risk66Water1Weather49.938.1/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Nome Census Area DNA

Foverall

How Nome Census Area compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Nome Census Area is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (79.7/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
9.5-42.5
Cost
35-13
Safety
60.6
Health
8.2-41.8
Schools
54.4
Income
79.7+28.700000000000003
Risk
66+19
Water
1-57
Weather
49.9
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Think property taxes are too high in Nome Census Area?

Many homeowners in Nome Census Area pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$211,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,394/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$211,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$55,760/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $78,681/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

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Nome Census Area with Van Buren County →Share on X

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Nearby counties

Kusilvak Census Area
Alaska
56.2
Northwest Arctic Borough
Alaska
50.3
Bethel Census Area
Alaska
53.8
Dillingham Census Area
Alaska
45.6
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area
Alaska
26.7
Denali Borough
Alaska
49.9
Bristol Bay Borough
Alaska
45.4
North Slope Borough
Alaska
46.7

Deep Dives

Nome Census Area across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 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

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

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 38.1 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 $3,264, with an effective tax rate of 1.55%. This earns Nome Census Area a tax score of 9.5/100 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 $78,681 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Nome Census Area earns an income score of 79.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Nome Census Area, Alaska a good place to live?
Nome Census Area scores 38.1/100 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 Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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.