Nome Census Area encompasses 22,962 square miles of western Alaska’s Seward Peninsula and the Bering Sea, including the large offshore St. Lawrence Island approximately 40 miles from the Siberian coast. The 2020 census counted 10,046 residents; by 2026 the population is estimated at approximately 9,836. The census area is part of Alaska’s Unorganized Borough and has no census-area-level government. Its largest community — and the region’s commercial, governmental, and transportation hub — is the City of Nome, with approximately 3,657 residents. Nome is both the seat of the census area and the finish line of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, which ends on Front Street each March in one of Alaska’s most distinctive annual celebrations.
Nome was founded during the Gold Rush of 1899–1900, when it briefly became the largest city in Alaska with over 12,000 residents drawn by gold found in the beaches and creeks of the Seward Peninsula. The beach gold rush — unique in mining history because anyone could mine the publicly accessible beach — drew prospectors from across the world. Gold mining has never entirely left Nome: the area continues to produce gold through both land-based and marine dredging operations, and the Discovery Channel’s “Bering Sea Gold” television series has documented modern offshore gold dredging for 15+ seasons. The census area’s population is approximately 60% Alaska Native, predominantly Inupiaq on the Seward Peninsula and Cup’ik (Siberian Yupik) on St. Lawrence Island. The three communities of St. Lawrence Island — Gambell and Savoonga — are among the most culturally distinct Alaska Native villages in the state, with the Siberian Yupik language actively maintained and a subsistence economy centered on marine mammals.
All residential landlord-tenant matters are governed by the Alaska Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, AS 34.03.010 through AS 34.03.380. Eviction actions for the Nome Census Area are filed in the Second Judicial District Court in Nome, 113 Front Street, (907) 443-5216. No rent control exists anywhere in Alaska.
~$113,646 — high for Alaska due to government/mining wages
Principal Economy
Gold mining (land & offshore dredging); government (Nome Public Schools, Nome Joint Utility, state agencies); Norton Sound Health Corporation; subsistence
Famous For
Iditarod Trail finish line; Gold Rush of 1899–1900; “Bering Sea Gold” TV series; Little Diomede Island (2.5 miles from Russia); Midnight Sun
Access
Nome: scheduled air service (Alaska Airlines) + Alaska Marine Highway; villages: fly-in only
Rent Control
None
Landlord Rating
4/10 — Nome city has genuine rental market driven by government/mining/healthcare; villages have no private market; Nome’s high incomes support rents but supply is very limited; no rent control
⚖️ Eviction At-a-Glance (Alaska)
Nonpayment Notice
7-Day Notice to Pay or Quit (AS 34.03.220)
Lease Violation (curable)
10-Day Notice to Cure or Quit (AS 34.03.220)
Repeat / Non-curable
5-Day Unconditional Notice to Quit
Intentional Damage (>$400)
24-Hour Unconditional Notice to Quit
Month-to-Month Termination
30-Day Written Notice (AS 34.03.230)
Court Action
Forcible Entry & Detainer — Second Judicial District
2 months’ rent (AS 34.03.070); waived if rent >$2,000/mo
Eviction Enforcement
Nome Police Department / Alaska State Troopers / VPSOs
Nome Census Area Local Ordinances & Landlord Rules
Local rules that apply alongside Alaska state law
Category
Details
No Census Area Government
Nome Census Area is part of Alaska’s Unorganized Borough and has no census-area-level government. The City of Nome has its own municipal government and city code. Villages outside Nome are governed by tribal governments and city councils where incorporated. There is no census-area-wide landlord registration, rental licensing, or local landlord-tenant ordinance supplementing Alaska state law.
Rent Control
None. Alaska preempts local rent control statewide. Month-to-month rent increases require 30 days’ written notice before the rental due date (AS 34.03.060).
Security Deposit
Cap: 2 months’ rent (AS 34.03.070); cap waived for rentals exceeding $2,000/month. Return within 14 days with proper tenant notice; 30 days if no notice or damages. Itemized deduction notice required. Willful failure to return: up to 2× wrongfully withheld amount (AS 34.03.070(d)).
Nome City: The Hub Rental Market
The City of Nome is the administrative, commercial, and healthcare hub for a region that extends hundreds of miles in every direction. Nome Public Schools, the Nome Joint Utility System, and state and federal agencies (Bureau of Indian Affairs, Alaska Department of Transportation, National Weather Service) employ significant numbers of year-round professional staff who need rental housing. Norton Sound Health Corporation — the regional tribal health organization — is a major employer of physicians, nurses, and healthcare workers. Mining industry workers (both land-based creek mining and offshore marine dredging) are a significant seasonal demand driver. Nome’s median household income of approximately $113,646 — remarkably high for a small Alaska hub community — reflects these well-compensated government, healthcare, and mining workers. The city has a genuine private rental market: houses, apartments, and units along its streets and roads are rented at significant premiums reflecting Nome’s extreme remoteness and supply constraints.
Gold Mining Economy
Gold mining is Nome’s defining economic feature. Beach and creek mining has occurred since 1899; modern operations include small-scale placer mining on Seward Peninsula creeks, offshore marine dredging in Norton Sound (the subject of “Bering Sea Gold” on the Discovery Channel), and suction dredging from small vessels. Mining activity is highly seasonal (summer months for offshore; spring/fall for creek mining). Miners — from local Inupiaq families who have mined for generations to seasonal workers from the lower 48 attracted by gold prices — need temporary housing during operating seasons. Gold prices directly influence the intensity of mining activity and the demand for housing.
St. Lawrence Island & Villages
St. Lawrence Island lies approximately 200 miles west of Nome and just 40 miles from the Siberian coast. The Cup’ik (Siberian Yupik) communities of Gambell (northwest cape) and Savoonga (north shore) have approximately 700 and 800 residents respectively. Together they represent approximately 14% of the census area population. Both are fly-in only from Nome and maintain a primarily subsistence economy centered on walrus, whale, seal, and seabird hunting alongside fishing. Housing is tribal/HUD-funded; no private rental market exists. The census area also includes numerous small Inupiaq villages on the Seward Peninsula: Teller, Brevig Mission, Wales (westernmost community in the U.S.), White Mountain, Elim, Shaktoolik, Stebbins, and others — similarly served by tribal housing with no private rental market.
Iditarod & Winter Tourism
Nome is the finish line of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, which ends on Front Street each March in a massive community celebration. Race finish typically draws hundreds of visitors, mushers, handlers, media, and volunteers to Nome — creating intense short-term accommodation demand for a week or two each March. Landlords with units near Front Street may find this an opportunity for premium short-term rental income during race week.
Alaska FED Eviction Process
FED proceedings filed at Second Judicial District Court, 113 Front Street, Nome, (907) 443-5216, Mon–Thu 8am–4:30pm, Fri 8am–noon. Enforcement by Nome Police Department or Alaska State Troopers. Village enforcement by VPSOs. Self-help eviction strictly illegal (AS 34.03.210). Domestic violence affirmative defense (AS 34.03.300).
AS 34.03.010–34.03.380 — applicable in Nome Census Area
⚡ Quick Overview
7
Days Notice (Nonpayment)
10
Days Notice (Violation)
30-60
Avg Total Days
$150
Filing Fee (Approx)
💰 Nonpayment of Rent
Notice Type7-Day Notice to Pay or Quit
Notice Period7 days
Tenant Can Cure?Yes
Days to Hearing10-20 days
Days to Writ5-10 days
Total Estimated Timeline30-60 days
Total Estimated Cost$150-$500
⚠️ Watch Out
Tenant can cure by paying all rent owed plus late fees within the 7-day notice period. If tenant pays, landlord cannot proceed. Alaska has strong habitability defense protections.
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the District Court. Pay the filing fee (~$150).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Alaska eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Alaska attorney or local legal aid organization.
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⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Underground Landlord
🏙️ Communities in Nome Census Area
Nome hub + Seward Peninsula and St. Lawrence Island villages
Nome (~3,657, hub) + Gambell & Savoonga (St. Lawrence Island, Cup’ik) + White Mountain + Teller + Brevig Mission + Wales + Elim + Shaktoolik + Stebbins. Iditarod finish line. Gold mining + government + Norton Sound Health Corp. Second Judicial District, 113 Front St, (907) 443-5216, Mon–Thu 8am–4:30pm, Fri 8am–noon. Deposit cap 2 months. 7-day nonpayment. No rent control. No AK income tax.
Nome Census Area
Screen Before You Sign
Best profiles for Nome city: Nome Public Schools staff, Norton Sound Health Corporation healthcare workers, state agency employees (ADOT, ADEC, ADF&G), federal agency staff (NWS, FAA, BIA). For miners: distinguish year-round residents from seasonal workers — use fixed-term leases for summer/fall miners. Alaska court records search. Income at 3x rent. Nome’s high median income is real but concentrated in stable sectors; verify employment type and duration carefully for seasonal mining workers.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Nome Census Area, Alaska
Nome is one of the most historically resonant place names in Alaska — a city born of one of the world’s great gold rushes, rebuilt after devastating storms and fires, and now a modest but vital hub city on the Bering Sea coast of the Seward Peninsula. In 1899–1900, Nome’s beaches were covered in gold-bearing sand that anyone could mine — a democratic rush unlike any other in history, briefly making Nome the largest city in Alaska. Today Nome’s 3,657 residents make it a small place in absolute terms, but it punches well above its weight as the regional hub for western Alaska, the finish line of the Iditarod, and the gateway to some of the most remote and spectacular country in the world. The Alaska Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (AS 34.03.010 through AS 34.03.380) governs all residential tenancies.
Nome has a genuine private rental market — unusual among Alaska’s smaller hub cities. Nome Public Schools employs teachers across the city and surrounding villages (village teachers live in school-district housing, but Nome city teachers may rent privately). Norton Sound Health Corporation — the regional tribal health system serving Nome and dozens of surrounding villages — employs physicians, dentists, nurses, behavioral health workers, and administrative staff, many of whom come from the lower 48 and need quality housing in Nome. State and federal agency employees (Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, National Weather Service, FAA, Bureau of Indian Affairs) add stable government employment. Gold mining — both traditional creek and beach mining and the modern offshore marine dredging industry — employs seasonal workers and some year-round operators who need housing.
The Gold Mining Economy
Nome’s relationship with gold is 125 years old and ongoing. Modern gold mining takes several forms: small-scale placer mining on the creeks of the Seward Peninsula, beach mining on Nome’s accessible beach (which anyone with a mining permit can access), and offshore marine dredging from custom-built vessels that vacuum gold from Norton Sound’s seabed. The Discovery Channel’s “Bering Sea Gold” series, now in its 15th+ season, follows Nome-area miners and has made the city internationally recognizable. Gold prices directly influence activity levels: when gold prices rise, more miners come to Nome, increasing housing demand. Seasonal miners typically need housing from May through October.
St. Lawrence Island and the Villages
St. Lawrence Island — 90 miles long, rising steeply from Norton Sound, just 40 miles from Siberia — is home to the Cup’ik (Siberian Yupik) people in the communities of Gambell and Savoonga. These communities maintain one of the most culturally intact Indigenous languages and traditions in Alaska; the Siberian Yupik language is actively spoken by most residents. The subsistence economy centers on walrus, bearded seal, whale, seabird, and fish harvesting. Housing on St. Lawrence Island is entirely tribal/HUD-funded; no private rental market exists. Similarly, the small Inupiaq villages of the Seward Peninsula coast — Teller, Brevig Mission, Wales (the westernmost community in the continental United States), White Mountain, Elim, Shaktoolik, Stebbins — all have tribal housing programs and no private market.
Security Deposits, Notices, and Eviction
Alaska caps security deposits at two months’ rent (AS 34.03.070), waived for rentals over $2,000 per month. Return within 14 days with proper notice, or 30 days if no notice or damages. For nonpayment: 7-Day Notice to Pay or Quit. Curable violations: 10-Day Notice to Cure or Quit. Non-curable: 5-Day Unconditional Notice. Intentional damage over $400: 24-Hour Notice. Month-to-month termination: 30-Day Written Notice. FED actions filed at Second Judicial District Court, 113 Front Street, Nome, (907) 443-5216. Self-help eviction is illegal (AS 34.03.210).
Nome Census Area landlord-tenant matters governed by AS 34.03.010–34.03.380. Nonpayment: 7-Day Notice to Pay or Quit. Lease violation (curable): 10-Day Notice to Cure or Quit. Repeat/non-curable: 5-Day Unconditional Notice to Quit. Intentional damage >$400: 24-Hour Notice. Month-to-month termination: 30-Day Written Notice. Security deposit cap: 2 months’ rent (waived >$2,000/mo); pet deposit up to 1 additional month. Return 14 days with notice; 30 days if no notice or damages. Willful withholding: up to 2× damages. No rent control. Self-help eviction illegal — up to 1.5× damages (AS 34.03.210). Domestic violence affirmative defense: AS 34.03.300. Nome PD / AK State Troopers / VPSOs enforce. Court: Second Judicial District, 113 Front St, Nome AK 99762; (907) 443-5216; Mon–Thu 8am–4:30pm, Fri 8am–12pm AKT. No Alaska income tax. Last updated: May 2026.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in Nome Census Area, Alaska and is not legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always verify current requirements with a licensed Alaska attorney before taking legal action. Last updated: May 2026.
