City profile · Alaska · Census ACS 2023

Nome, AK

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Nome - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

3,668
Residents
$113,561
Median income
$338,900
Median home
$1,533
Median rent (state)

Nome - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Nome places in the 85th percentile for household income and the 44th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

85th
percentile, household income
70th
percentile, home value
61st
percentile, median rent
44th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Nome, AK

Nome is a small town in Alaska, home to 3,668 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Nome brings in $113,561 a year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 6.8%. Home values in Nome run a median of $338,900, and the median resident age is 31.6 years. 24.4% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 65.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 3 residential building permits were authorized in Nome (Construction Slowdown), down 50% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Nome reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1546.5 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Alaska tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Alaska at 102.4 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,533 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $271 across Alaska, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 34.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

3,668 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Alaska

Median Household Income

$113,561 /yr

Poverty 6.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

102.4 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Alaska average

How does Nome compare to other US cities?

Here's how Nome stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 85% higher than other cities
Home value 70% pricier than other cities
Median rent 61% pricier than other cities
Safety 44% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Alaska and the picture shifts: Nome ranks #13 of 20 Alaska cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Nome against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Alaska only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Alaska-relative analysis

Median Home Value places Nome toward the top of Alaska's cities

Among the 200 Alaska cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Nome ranks #28 - the 86th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Nome only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#10 of 215
95th percentile in Alaska
Median Gross Rent
#104 of 228
49th percentile in Alaska
Median Home Value
#28 of 200
86th percentile in Alaska
Poverty Rate
#142 of 225
36th percentile in Alaska
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#70 of 228
69th percentile in Alaska

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Alaska only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

85thIncome percentile
44thSafety percentile

85th percentile nationally for median household income · 44th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Nome's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Nome's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 55 Avg. percentile National median
Nome's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Nome's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$338,900 30th percentile more affordable than 30% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Nome $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Nome, AK Nome, AK's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Nome, AK-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Nome, AK median $113,561/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Nome, AK's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Nome, AK. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 24.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 65.9%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
3,668
Median Income
$113,561
Median Home Value
$338,900
Median Age
31.6
Poverty Rate
6.8%
Labor force participation
65.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
24.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1546.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
828.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
718.0
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
3,620 residents3,640 residents3,660 residents3,680 residents3,700 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,688 residents 3,653 residents ▼ -0.9%
Nome's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
3
housing units authorized
Single-Family
3
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 6
2020 8
2021 8
2022 1
2023 1
2024 3

Permit volume decreased 50% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
48.5%
Carpool
15.1%
Public Transit
0.5%
Walk
18.9%
Work from Home
8.0%
Other
9.0%

Based on 1,736 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Alaska - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$131
avg/month
Natural Gas
$95
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$271
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Alaska state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Alaska state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Nome sits in

Cost of Living Index
102.4
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,533/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
34.1 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Alaska

Mill Bay
3,541 people
Butte
3,905 people
Valdez
3,911 people
Petersburg
3,346 people
Big Lake
3,291 people
Goldstream
3,238 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Nome's 3,668 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Thomasville, AL
3,668 people
Rexland Acres, CA
3,667 people
Indian Rocks Beach, FL
3,667 people
Frontenac, MO
3,669 people
Rutherfordton, NC
3,669 people
Leo-Cedarville, IN
3,670 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Nome's $113,561 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Auxier, KY
$113,565 median income
Hauula, HI
$113,571 median income
Bryantown, MD
$113,580 median income
Hide-A-Way Hills, OH
$113,580 median income
Nanuet, NY
$113,582 median income
Mount Tabor, NJ
$113,594 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Nome, AK Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Nome, AK - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 27.1% 50.7% 15.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.1% White 27.1% Black or African American 2.8% Asian 3.8% American Indian 50.7% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.5% Two or more races 15.2% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Nome compares to nearby Alaska cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Nome (this city) 3,668 $113,561
Mill Bay 3,541 $94,359
Butte 3,905 $105,625
Valdez 3,911 $97,067
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AK FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Nome, AK?

What is the population of Nome, AK? +

Nome, AK counts 3,668 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Nome, AK? +

The median household income in Nome is $113,561 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Nome? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Nome; the closest available measure is the Alaska state average, a cost of living index of 102.4 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Alaska vary by metro area.

Is Nome, AK safe? +

Nome has a total crime rate of 1546.5 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Nome, AK? +

A typical home in Nome is worth $338,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.