The district is largely a middle-class,[2] suburban area, mostly consisting of listed private homes[3] from the 1920s and 1930s and is sometimes referred to as the "Forest Town."

Nõmme was founded by Nikolai von Glehn, the owner of Jälgimäe Manor, in 1873[4] as a summerhouse district.

Other important sights include Vanaka Hill, the ski jumping tower, Rahumäe cemetery, and Pääsküla Bog.

Nõmme is divided into 10 subdistricts (Estonian: asum): Hiiu, Kivimäe, Laagri, Liiva, Männiku, Nõmme, Pääsküla, Rahumäe, Raudalu, and Vana-Mustamäe.

The western route of Edelaraudtee passes through Liiva station, which is also located in Nõmme.