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]

Lander County
Lander County Courthouse in Battle Mountain
Lander County Courthouse in Battle Mountain
Flag of Lander County
Map of Nevada highlighting Lander County
Location within the U.S. state of Nevada
Map of the United States highlighting Nevada
Nevada's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°57′N 117°02′W / 39.95°N 117.03°W / 39.95; -117.03
Country United States
State Nevada
Founded1862; 162 years ago (1862)
Named forFrederick 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 (80 km2)  0.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
5,734
 • Density1.0/sq mi (0.40/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitelandercountynv.org

History

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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

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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

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Adjacent counties

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National protected area

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Demographics

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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%
2023 (est.)5,769[6]0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2018[1]

2000 census

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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.[11] 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.

2010 census

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At the 2010 census, there were 5,775 people, 2,213 households, and 1,545 families living in the county.[12] 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).[13] 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.[12] In terms of ancestry, 19.4% were German, 13.6% were English, 12.2% were Irish, and 12.0% were American.[14]

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.[12]

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.[15]

Politics

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United States presidential election results for Lander County, Nevada[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 2,180 80.00% 482 17.69% 63 2.31%
2020 2,198 79.49% 496 17.94% 71 2.57%
2016 1,828 75.76% 403 16.70% 182 7.54%
2012 1,580 72.98% 534 24.67% 51 2.36%
2008 1,466 69.74% 577 27.45% 59 2.81%
2004 1,602 78.03% 414 20.17% 37 1.80%
2000 1,619 76.40% 395 18.64% 105 4.96%
1996 1,107 49.98% 660 29.80% 448 20.23%
1992 885 44.43% 423 21.23% 684 34.34%
1988 1,214 70.83% 439 25.61% 61 3.56%
1984 1,222 78.28% 301 19.28% 38 2.43%
1980 935 65.61% 361 25.33% 129 9.05%
1976 561 49.96% 518 46.13% 44 3.92%
1972 798 63.03% 468 36.97% 0 0.00%
1968 461 50.72% 301 33.11% 147 16.17%
1964 338 46.36% 391 53.64% 0 0.00%
1960 383 49.48% 391 50.52% 0 0.00%
1956 540 65.61% 283 34.39% 0 0.00%
1952 501 67.89% 237 32.11% 0 0.00%
1948 397 56.39% 298 42.33% 9 1.28%
1944 425 52.60% 383 47.40% 0 0.00%
1940 393 45.28% 475 54.72% 0 0.00%
1936 237 28.83% 585 71.17% 0 0.00%
1932 272 33.66% 536 66.34% 0 0.00%
1928 456 59.22% 314 40.78% 0 0.00%
1924 254 46.61% 138 25.32% 153 28.07%
1920 416 58.67% 254 35.83% 39 5.50%
1916 321 34.48% 473 50.81% 137 14.72%
1912 68 13.13% 197 38.03% 253 48.84%
1908 257 44.77% 276 48.08% 41 7.14%
1904 227 61.85% 93 25.34% 47 12.81%

Communities

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

Census-designated places

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Unincorporated community

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Ghost towns

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  2. ^ "County Explorer". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Government Printing Office. p. 180. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  5. ^ "Bunker Hill, Nevada". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  13. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  14. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  15. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  16. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 12, 2018.

Further reading

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  • Theodore, T.G. and G.M. Jones. (1992). Geochemistry and geology of gold in jasperoid, Elephant Head area, Lander County, Nevada [U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 2009]. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.
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39°57′N 117°02′W / 39.95°N 117.03°W / 39.95; -117.03