AGold discoveries in the Nome area had been reported as far back as 1865 by Western Union surveyors seeking a route across Alaska and the Bering Sea. The gold-bearing creeks had been almost completely staked, when some entrepreneur discovered the "golden sands of Nome." With nothing more than shovels, buckets, rockers and wheel barrows, thousands of idle miners descended upon the beaches.

The population of Nome is a mixture of Inupiat Eskimos and non-Natives. Although many employment opportunities are available, subsistence activities are prevalent in the community. Former villagers from King Island also live in Nome.Nome is the supply, service and transportation center of the Bering Strait region. Government services provide the majority of employment. The Nome Airport has a two paved runways, one is 6,001' long and 150' wide, and the other is 5,576' by 150' wide. An $8.5 million airport improvement project is nearing completion. Scheduled jet flights are available, as well as charter and helicopter services.