County · Alaska
Nome Census Area, Alaska
Nome Census Area, Alaska. Nome Census Area had 9,830 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.2% since 2020, while Alaska grew 0.5%. It holds 17 places (16 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 02180.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
9,830
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 10,046 · ACS 2020-2024: 9,866
Median household income
$78,681
±$4,699 (90% margin)
Alaska: $92,788
Median home value
$211,200
±$11,158 (90% margin)
Alaska: $352,900
Median gross rent
$1,394
±$172 (90% margin)
Alaska: $1,419
How many people live in Nome Census Area, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 10,046 residents in Nome Census Area. The Census Bureau estimates 9,830 for July 1, 2025, down 2.2% since 2020, while Alaska grew 0.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 9,866 over 22,970 square miles of land.
| Measure | Nome Census Area | Alaska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 9,866 | 735,706 | −122 |
| Households | 2,816±75 | 270,533 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 3.33±0.09 | 2.61 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,102±32 | 328,491 | no clear change |
Nome Census Area's population since 2000
From 9,196 in 2000 to 9,830 in 2025: up 6.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Nome Census Area?
Nome Census Area holds 17 places: 16 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Nome with 3,653 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Nome | 3,699 | $113,646 |
|---|---|---|
| Savoonga | 835 | $53,750 |
| Unalakleet | 765 | $87,292 |
| GambellGEOID 0227640 | 640 | $52,500 |
| Stebbins | 634 | $48,056 |
| Shishmaref | 576 | $61,458 |
| St. MichaelGEOID 0266360 | 456 | $53,750 |
| Brevig Mission | 428 | $63,088 |
| Elim | 366 | $37,031 |
| Koyuk | 312 | $36,563 |
| Teller | 249 | $54,375 |
| ShaktoolikGEOID 0268890 | 212 | $80,417 |
| White Mountain | 185 | $62,500 |
| GolovinGEOID 0229180 | 175 | $66,667 |
| WalesGEOID 0282860 | 168 | $37,188 |
| DiomedeGEOID 0219060 | 83 | not published |
| Port ClarenceGEOID 0263170 | 0 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Nome Census Area?
The median resident of Nome Census Area is 29.4 years old; 33.7% are under 18 and 8.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 73.5%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 13.4%. 2.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Nome Census Area | Alaska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 29.4±0.5 | 35.8 | +1.1 |
| Under 18 years | 33.7% | 24.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 8.9%±0.3 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.2% | 7.3% | −0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 13.4%±0.1 pts | 57.7% | −1.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.7%±0.4 pts | 6.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 73.5%±1.7 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 8.5%±1.8 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.2%±0.6 pts | 7.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 24.3%±1.8 pts | 15.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.8%±1.0 pts | 10.7% | – |
| With a disability | 11.2%±1.0 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 14.0%±1.5 pts | 11.0% | −6.7 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.9%±1.2 pts | 93.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 14.0%±1.8 pts | 31.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.1%±1.2 pts | 11.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.0%±1.2 pts | 3.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Nome Census Area earn?
Half of Nome Census Area's 2,816 households earn less than $78,681 a year (±$4,699), against $92,788 in Alaska. In 2015-2019 it was $75,131 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 21.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Nome Census Area | Alaska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $78,681±$4,699 | $92,788 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $99,441±$5,233 | $118,985 | – |
| Per capita income | $32,238±$1,664 | $46,573 | +$3,217 |
| People below the poverty line | 21.5%±2.5 pts | 10.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 24.3%±3.8 pts | 12.2% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 29.4%±2.6 pts | 10.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.2%±1.9 pts | 91.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Nome Census Area?
Owners occupy 66.8% of Nome Census Area's occupied homes and renters 33.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $211,200 by its owner (±$11,158). The median renter pays $1,394 a month including utilities, and 25.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Nome Census Area | Alaska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $211,200±$11,158 | $352,900 | +$20,935 |
| Median gross rent | $1,394±$172 | $1,419 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 25.2%±6.8 pts | 35.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,005±$245 | $2,229 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 66.8%±3.2 pts | 66.8% | +6.3 pts |
| Housing units | 4,102±32 | 328,491 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.6 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.0%±2.5 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 81.4%±2.1 pts | 63.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.9%±0.5 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.3%±0.8 pts | 1.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Nome Census Area building?
Builders took permits for 3 new housing units across Nome Census Area in 2025 (3 single-family), 0.3 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Nome Census Area get to work?
29.7% of Nome Census Area's workers drive alone and 4.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 6.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 16.9%.
| Measure | Nome Census Area | Alaska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.5%±1.8 pts | 66.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 16.9%±2.1 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 29.7%±2.6 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.5%±2.5 pts | 11.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Walked | 33.2%±2.6 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.5%±1.4 pts | 9.7% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 6.3 min±0.5 | 19.4 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Nome Census Area's census tracts?
Nome Census Area is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $54,403 (Tract 1) to $116,964 (Tract 2).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Nome Census Area compare with Alaska's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 10th of 30 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 18th of 30 |
| Residents per square mile | 20th of 30 |
| Median household income | 19th of 30 |
| Median home value | 24th of 30 |
| Median gross rent | 8th of 30 |
| Poverty rate | 3rd of 27 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25th of 27 |
| Median age | 27th of 30 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Nome Census Area are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.