Located on the northwest shore of Norton Bay on the Seward Peninsula, 65 miles east of Solomon and 96 miles east of Nome. Elim is reached by both scheduled and charter air service from Nome. The population of Elim is 248. The zip code is 99739.
Elim's climate is subarctic, but changes to a more continental climate with the freezing of Norton Sound. Winter is cold and relatively dry, with an average of 40 inches of snowfall. Average annual precipitation is 18.9 inches.
The airstrip is adjacent to the southwest of the village. The strip is 2,000 feet in length and is of turf and dirt. The airport is unattended.
Formerly the Malemiut Eskimo village of Nuviakchak, Elim is located on a former federal reindeer reserve, established in 1911. The station was dissolved with the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. A mission and school, opened in the early 1900's, increased the population. The village incorporated as a second-class city in 1970. Its economy is subsistence based, supplemented by seasonal employment in construction, fish processing and timber.
The Iditarod Trail passes through elim, serving as a trail to Nome in the west and Unalakleet to the south.
Communications include phones, radio and TV. The community has a church and a school with grades 9 thru 12. Public electricity, water and sewage systems available. Freight arrives by air transport and barge.
