CountyScore

Nome Census Area

Alaska · AK

#25 in Alaska
59.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Nome Census Area, Alaska

Moderately Above U.S. Average

Nome's composite score of 59.6 exceeds the national median of 50.0, positioning it solidly in the upper half of American counties. The census area outperforms about 60% of counties nationwide, a credible showing for a rural Arctic region.

Below Alaska's Statewide Performance

At 59.6, Nome trails Alaska's state average of 67.6, ranking it in the lower half of Alaska's eight measured counties. The census area faces steeper livability challenges than most state peers, reflecting remote geography and economic constraints.

Moderate Risk Management and Costs

Nome's risk score of 66.0 indicates reasonable resilience and safety planning compared to some peers. Housing costs remain moderate, with median rent at $1,328/month and median home values at $201,000, more balanced than some neighboring areas.

Income and Health Need Support

The median household income of $76,643 yields an income score of just 33.4, limiting earning potential for residents. Health outcomes lag too, with a score of 49.7 suggesting gaps in medical infrastructure and wellness services for the remote population.

Suits Self-Reliant Adventurers Seeking Adventure

Nome appeals to independent spirits and workers willing to trade moderate incomes and health access for Arctic frontier life. This is ideal for those embracing remote living with moderate risk acceptance and moderate housing costs.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax58.8Cost72.7SafetyComing SoonHealth49.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome33.4Risk66WaterComing Soon
🏛58.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠72.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼33.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤49.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡66
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Nome Census Area with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Bibb County
Georgia
59.6
Median income: $50,747
Livingston County
New York
59.6
Median income: $72,464
Fresno County
California
59.7
Median income: $71,434
Merced County
California
59.7
Median income: $65,044
Nevada County
California
59.7
Median income: $84,905

Deep Dives

Nome Census Area across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Health in Nome Census Area

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy 6+ years below national average

Nome residents live to 68.9 years on average, falling 6.3 years short of the U.S. average of 75.2 years. The poor/fair health rate of 28.8% substantially exceeds the national average of 18%, signaling concentrated health challenges. These disparities reflect both geographic isolation and community-level health factors.

Nome ranks low on Alaska health indicators

At 68.9 years, Nome's life expectancy trails Alaska's state average of 75.6 years by 6.7 years, placing it among the state's lower performers. The poor/fair health rate of 28.8% is nearly double the state average, indicating a community facing significant health burdens. Only Kusilvak (36.8%) reports worse health outcomes.

Health outcomes worse than most Alaska peers

Nome's life expectancy of 68.9 years falls short of North Slope (75.8 years), Petersburg (78.5 years), and Matanuska-Susitna (76.2 years), but exceeds Kusilvak (65.0 years) and Northwest Arctic (67.8 years). The poor/fair health rate of 28.8% is higher than most neighbors except Kusilvak. Nome's primary care provider rate of 132 per 100,000 and exceptionally high mental health providers (1,127 per 100,000) suggest targeted behavioral health infrastructure.

Robust mental health access amid broader challenges

Nome's uninsured rate of 14.5% is slightly below the state average, so most residents have coverage. The region boasts 132 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and an exceptional 1,127 mental health providers per 100,000—the highest in Alaska. This suggests focused investment in behavioral and mental health services to address community-level health burdens.

Ensure continuous coverage and preventive care

With 14.5% uninsured, Nome residents should verify ongoing coverage to access the region's strong mental health and primary care resources. Regular checkups and preventive services help address underlying health challenges reflected in poor/fair health rates. Review your insurance status and schedule screenings with your primary care provider today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

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

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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