Nome Census Area, Alaska
Nome Census Area is located in western Alaska on the Seward Peninsula. Around 10,000 people live in the region, with Nome serving as the main town. The area is well known for the Nome Gold Rush of 1898, and even today, some people continue to pan for gold along the beaches.
Nome is also the finishing point of the Iditarod sled dog race held each March. The landscape is mostly treeless tundra. Reindeer herding is still practiced in some parts of the region. Winters are long and cold, while summers bring nearly 24 hours of daylight.
Many residents are Inupiaq Eskimo, with strong traditional cultures still present in the area. The Bering Sea coastline provides excellent opportunities for birdwatching. Despite its remote location, Nome has a hospital and a University of Alaska campus. Like many parts of Alaska, the region faces challenges related to climate change. Before 2015, this census area was known as Wade Hampton.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Census Area Name | Nome Census Area |
| Census Area Seat | Unofficial seat: Nome (as census areas do not have official seats) |
| Population | Approximately 10,000 |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Nome, Brevig Mission, Council, Diomede, Elim, Gambell, Golovin, Koyuk, Port Clarence, Saint Michael, Savoonga, Shaktoolik, Shishmaref, Solomon, Stebbins, Teller, Unalakleet, Wales, White Mountain |
| Interstates and Highways | Nome-Teller Highway, Nome-Council Highway, Nome-Cape Nome Road |
| FIPS Code | 02-180 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 28,278 square miles (Land: 22,960 sq mi, Water: 5,318 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Boroughs and Census Areas (and Direction) | Northwest Arctic Borough (North), Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area (East), Kusilvak Census Area (South) |
| Time Zone | Alaska Time Zone (AKT) |
| State | Alaska |
| Coordinates | 64.5011° N, 165.4064° W |
| Etymology | Named after the city of Nome, the largest settlement in the census area. |
| Major Landmarks | Iditarod Trail, Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Cape Nome, Nome Gold Rush Historic District, King Island, Safety Sound, Pilgrim Hot Springs |
