Lander County, Nevada

County in Nevada, United States From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lander County is a county in the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,734.[1] Its county seat is Battle Mountain.[2]

Country United States
Founded1862; 164 years ago (1862)
Quick facts Country, State ...
Lander County, Nevada
Lander County Courthouse in Battle Mountain
Lander County Courthouse in Battle Mountain
Flag of Lander County, Nevada
Map of Nevada highlighting Lander County
Location within the U.S. state of Nevada
Coordinates: 39°57′N 117°02′W
Country United States
State Nevada
Founded1862; 164 years ago (1862)
Named afterFrederick W. Lander
SeatBattle Mountain
Largest communityBattle Mountain
Area
  Total
5,519 sq mi (14,290 km2)
  Land5,490 sq mi (14,200 km2)
  Water29 sq mi (75 km2)  0.5%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
5,734
  Density1.04/sq mi (0.403/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
  Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitelandercountynv.org
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History

Lander County was created in 1862 as the result of a mining boom on the Reese River along the old pony express line, taking a considerable portion of Churchill and Humboldt counties with it. Named for Frederick W. Lander,[3] chief engineer of a federal wagon route and Special Indian Agent in the area, it was one of the original 11 counties of Nevada when statehood was granted in 1864. Its first county seat was Jacob's Spring in 1862, which was moved to Austin in 1863, and finally Battle Mountain in 1979. Eventually, Lander County would be known as the "mother of counties",[citation needed] since three other counties in Nevada were later formed from it: Elko, White Pine, and Eureka.

Geography

Derelict building off State Route 305 in the Reese River Valley with the Shoshone Range in the distance

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 5,519 square miles (14,290 km2), of which 5,490 square miles (14,200 km2) is land and 29 square miles (75 km2) (0.5%) is water.[4]

The 11,477 ft (3,498 m) summit of Bunker Hill, located in the Toiyabe Range near the Nye County border, is the highest point in the county;[5] while the county's most topographically prominent peak is Mount Lewis.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

More information Census, Pop. ...
Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18702,815
18803,62428.7%
18902,266−37.5%
19001,534−32.3%
19101,78616.4%
19201,484−16.9%
19301,71415.5%
19401,7451.8%
19501,8506.0%
19601,566−15.4%
19702,66670.2%
19804,07652.9%
19906,26653.7%
20005,794−7.5%
20105,775−0.3%
20205,734−0.7%
2024 (est.)5,785[6] Increase0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2020[1]
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2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 5,734. The median age was 38.7 years. 25.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.7% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 105.6 males. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[11][12][13]

The racial makeup of the county was 74.7% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 4.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 9.3% from some other race, and 10.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 21.9% of the population.[13]

There were 2,292 households in the county, of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 19.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[12]

There were 2,798 housing units, of which 18.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 74.4% were owner-occupied and 25.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 21.1%.[12]

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 5,775 people, 2,213 households, and 1,545 families living in the county.[14] The population density was 1.1 inhabitants per square mile (0.42/km2). There were 2,575 housing units at an average density of 0.5 per square mile (0.19/km2).[15] The racial makeup of the county was 84.0% white, 4.2% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 8.6% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 21.1% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 19.4% were German, 13.6% were English, 12.2% were Irish, and 12.0% were American.[16]

Of the 2,213 households, 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.2% were non-families, and 25.6% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.14. The median age was 37.1 years.[14]

The median household income was $66,525 and the median family income was $67,157. Males had a median income of $62,932 versus $33,056 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,287. About 11.7% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.0% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.[17]

2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 5,794 people, 2,093 households, and 1,523 families living in the county. The population density was 1 person per square mile (0.39 person/km2). There were 2,780 housing units at an average density of 0 units per square mile (0/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 84.41% White, 0.21% Black or African American, 3.99% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 8.66% from other races, and 2.35% from two or more races. 18.52% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[18] Of the 2,093 households 39.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.70% were married couples living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% were non-families. 22.30% of households were one person and 5.00% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.23.

The age distribution was 32.20% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 7.00% 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 105.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.50 males.

The median household income was $46,067 and the median family income was $51,538. Males had a median income of $45,375 versus $22,197 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,998. About 8.60% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.50% of those under age 18 and 12.90% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Lander County is heavily Republican, having not supported a Democrat since the 1964 election.

More information Year, Republican ...
United States presidential election results for Lander County, Nevada[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.%No.%No.%
1904 227 61.85% 93 25.34% 47 12.81%
1908 257 44.77% 276 48.08% 41 7.14%
1912 68 13.13% 197 38.03% 253 48.84%
1916 321 34.48% 473 50.81% 137 14.72%
1920 416 58.67% 254 35.83% 39 5.50%
1924 254 46.61% 138 25.32% 153 28.07%
1928 456 59.22% 314 40.78% 0 0.00%
1932 272 33.66% 536 66.34% 0 0.00%
1936 237 28.83% 585 71.17% 0 0.00%
1940 393 45.28% 475 54.72% 0 0.00%
1944 425 52.60% 383 47.40% 0 0.00%
1948 397 56.39% 298 42.33% 9 1.28%
1952 501 67.89% 237 32.11% 0 0.00%
1956 540 65.61% 283 34.39% 0 0.00%
1960 383 49.48% 391 50.52% 0 0.00%
1964 338 46.36% 391 53.64% 0 0.00%
1968 461 50.72% 301 33.11% 147 16.17%
1972 798 63.03% 468 36.97% 0 0.00%
1976 561 49.96% 518 46.13% 44 3.92%
1980 935 65.61% 361 25.33% 129 9.05%
1984 1,222 78.28% 301 19.28% 38 2.43%
1988 1,214 70.83% 439 25.61% 61 3.56%
1992 885 44.43% 423 21.23% 684 34.34%
1996 1,107 49.98% 660 29.80% 448 20.23%
2000 1,619 76.40% 395 18.64% 105 4.96%
2004 1,602 78.03% 414 20.17% 37 1.80%
2008 1,466 69.74% 577 27.45% 59 2.81%
2012 1,580 72.98% 534 24.67% 51 2.36%
2016 1,828 75.76% 403 16.70% 182 7.54%
2020 2,198 79.49% 496 17.94% 71 2.57%
2024 2,180 80.00% 482 17.69% 63 2.31%
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More information Year, Republican ...
United States Senate election results for Lander County, Nevada1[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.%No.%No.%
2024 1,924 70.97% 538 19.85% 249 9.18%
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Communities

Lander County has no incorporated communities. The following places are located in Lander County:

Census-designated places

Unincorporated community

Ghost towns

See also

References

Further reading

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