Nome Census Area
Alaska

What stands out

Against every county in America, Nome Census Area is unusual in three ways: unemployment is in the top 2% of American counties (6.9%), life expectancy is in the bottom 2% of American counties (68.5 years), and natural-hazard risk is in the bottom 3% of American counties (3 of 100). Within Alaska it ranks 6th of 30 counties for unemployment.

Where you are

You live in Nome Census Area, Alaska. 10,018 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -124).

Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax, and it pays residents an annual Permanent Fund Dividend from oil revenue. Most goods arrive by barge or air, so groceries, fuel and building materials cost well above the national average, and winter heating is a major line item. Roughly half the population lives in the Anchorage area; much of the rest is reachable only by plane or ferry.

Money

The typical household here brings in $70,121 a year, higher than 74% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $75,229. Unemployment runs 6.9%, higher than 98% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home.

Alaska has no state income tax, so none of that goes to the state.

Home

A two-bedroom rents for around $1,391 a month. Property tax is 1.52% of home value, roughly $2,752 a year on that median home, higher than 86% of American counties. 63% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 5.1 per 1,000 residents, higher than 96% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 17 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 68.5 years, shorter than 98% of American counties. There are 20 active physicians in the county, about 20.0 per 10,000 people. 13.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

88% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

Under Alaska law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 3 out of 100, safer than 97% of American counties; the county has had 12 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 211 Mbps down, faster than 55% of American counties. There are 27 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 National Park Service site.