Lander County, Nevada facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lander County
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Lander County Courthouse in Battle Mountain
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Location within the U.S. state of Nevada
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 Nevada's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Nevada |
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| Founded | 1862 | |
| Named for | Frederick W. Lander | |
| Seat | Battle Mountain | |
| Largest community | Battle Mountain | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 5,519 sq mi (14,290 km2) | |
| • Land | 5,490 sq mi (14,200 km2) | |
| • Water | 29 sq mi (80 km2) 0.5% | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,734 | |
| • Density | 1.03896/sq mi (0.40114/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) | |
| Congressional district | 2nd | |
Lander County is a county in the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,734. Its county seat is Battle Mountain.
Contents
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, 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", since three other counties in Nevada were later formed from it: Elko, White Pine, and Eureka.
Geography
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.
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; while the county's most topographically prominent peak is Mount Lewis.
Major highways
Interstate 80
Interstate 80 Business (Battle Mountain)
U.S. Route 50
State Route 304
State Route 305
State Route 306
State Route 376
State Route 722
State Route 806
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Adjacent counties
- Elko County - north
- Eureka County - east
- Nye County - south
- Churchill County - west
- Pershing County - west
- Humboldt County - northwest
National protected area
- Toiyabe National Forest (part)
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 2,815 | — | |
| 1880 | 3,624 | 28.7% | |
| 1890 | 2,266 | −37.5% | |
| 1900 | 1,534 | −32.3% | |
| 1910 | 1,786 | 16.4% | |
| 1920 | 1,484 | −16.9% | |
| 1930 | 1,714 | 15.5% | |
| 1940 | 1,745 | 1.8% | |
| 1950 | 1,850 | 6.0% | |
| 1960 | 1,566 | −15.4% | |
| 1970 | 2,666 | 70.2% | |
| 1980 | 4,076 | 52.9% | |
| 1990 | 6,266 | 53.7% | |
| 2000 | 5,794 | −7.5% | |
| 2010 | 5,775 | −0.3% | |
| 2020 | 5,734 | −0.7% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 5,769 | −0.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2018 |
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2010 census
At the 2010 census, there were 5,775 people, 2,213 households, and 1,545 families living in the county. 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). 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. In terms of ancestry, 19.4% were German, 13.6% were English, 12.2% were Irish, and 12.0% were American.
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.
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.
Communities
Lander County has no incorporated communities. The following places are located in Lander County:
Census-designated places
- Austin
- Battle Mountain (county seat)
- Kingston
Unincorporated community
Ghost town
- Clifton
- Galena
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Lander para niños
