Nome is a city on the southern Seward Peninsula coast of Norton Sound, in northwestern Alaska. It had 3,699 residents in 2020, grew out of the 1898 gold rush, and is known as the finish line of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.[1]
| Population | 3,699 (2020) |
|---|---|
| Incorporated | 1901 |
| Peak population | 12,488 (1900) |
| Road access | None to other major Alaska cities |
| Annual precipitation | 17.22 in |
Gold rush
Three prospectors, Jafet Lindeberg, Erik Lindblom and John Brynteson, discovered gold on Anvil Creek in the summer of 1898. By 1899 the population was about 10,000, and the 1900 census recorded 12,488 residents, the highest in the city’s history and the largest community in Alaska at the time.[1]
1925 serum run
During a 1925 diphtheria epidemic, blizzards blocked airplane delivery of antitoxin serum from Anchorage, and a dog sled relay carried it to Nome. Gunnar Kaasen drove the final leg with lead dog Balto, and Leonhard Seppala ran the longest penultimate leg with Togo.[1]
Iditarod finish
Nome became the finish line of the Iditarod in 1973. The race covers more than 1,049 miles, and its final stretch follows the serum run route.[1]
Climate and access
Nome has a subarctic climate bordering on tundra. January averages 5.6 °F and July 52.0 °F. The city has no road connection to Alaska’s other major cities; air and sea are its main links.[1]
FAQs
What happened in Nome in 1925? A dog sled relay delivered diphtheria antitoxin to the city.
Why was Nome founded? The 1898 discovery of gold on Anvil Creek.
Can you drive to Nome? Not from Alaska’s other major cities; local roads reach only nearby communities.
Sources
Key facts
- Population 3,699 (2020)
- Gold found 1898
- Iditarod finish since 1973
Quick checkWhere does the Iditarod finish?Show answer
Nome.
Sources
- Wikipedia. Nome, Alaska. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-12)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 12, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue