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White Pine County, Nevada facts for kids

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White Pine County
County
White Pine County Courthouse in Ely
Map of Nevada highlighting White Pine County
Location within the U.S. state of Nevada
Map of the United States highlighting Nevada
Nevada's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Nevada
Founded 1869; 155 years ago (1869)
Named for Rocky Mountain white pine
Seat Ely
Largest city Ely
Area
 • Total 8,897 sq mi (23,040 km2)
 • Land 8,876 sq mi (22,990 km2)
 • Water 21 sq mi (50 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 9,080
 • Density 1.0206/sq mi (0.39404/km2)
Time zone UTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district 4th
WheelerPeakNV
Wheeler Peak, elevation 13,065 feet (3,982 m), in Great Basin National Park.
SchellCrRange
Timber Creek in the Schell Creek Range

White Pine County is a largely rural, mountain county along the central eastern boundary of the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,080. Its county seat is Ely. The name "(Rocky Mountain) white pine" is an old name for the limber pine (Pinus flexilis), a common tree in the county's mountains.

The county boasts dark skies, clean air and millions of acres of unspoiled public land. It is the home of Great Basin National Park, one of America's most remote and least visited national parks. It is also home to no less than 14 federally designated wilderness areas, offering an abundance of terrain available to explore for hikers, backpackers, skiers, hunters and anglers.

The Ely Shoshone Indian Reservation is located in the county, on the south side of the City of Ely. The reservation has a land area of 104.99 acres (0.4249 km2) and a 2000 census official resident population of 133 people.

History

European settlement in White Pine County began with mining exploration, activity generated by the Pony Express Trail (which passes through the county), and farming.

2013-06-27 10 20 11 Limber Pine on Spruce Mountain, Nevada
A limber (white) pine tree in Nevada

The county was established by the Nevada legislature in 1869 from Lander County and named after the heavy growth of limber pine trees in the area, which were then called white pine. Hamilton was the first county seat from 1869 to 1887, when it was replaced by Ely after a fire.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 8,897 square miles (23,040 km2), of which 8,876 square miles (22,990 km2) is land and 21 square miles (54 km2) (0.2%) is water.

Several sections of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest exist within the county, within the Snake Range, Egan Range, White Pine Range, Ruby Mountains, and Schell Creek Range. The county also contains Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park and Cave Lake State Park.

In the southeastern part of the county within Great Basin National Park lies 13,065 ft (3,982 m) Wheeler Peak, the tallest independent mountain within Nevada and the second-highest point within the state (the highest point being Boundary Peak). It is also the most topographically prominent peak in the county and the second-most prominent peak in Nevada (after Mount Charleston).

Major highways

  • US 6.svg U.S. Route 6
  • US 50.svg U.S. Route 50
  • US 93.svg U.S. Route 93
  • Alt plate.svg
    US 93.svg U.S. Route 93 Alternate
  • Nevada 318.svg State Route 318
  • Nevada 487.svg State Route 487
  • Nevada 488.svg State Route 488
  • Nevada 490.svg State Route 490
  • Nevada 892.svg State Route 892
  • Nevada 893.svg State Route 893
  • Nevada 894.svg State Route 894
  • Nevada 895.svg State Route 895

Wilderness

White Pine County is home to a number of designated wilderness areas. They were created by Congress on December 20, 2006, by the "White Pine County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act of 2006." About half are integral parts of Humboldt National Forest. The rest are managed by the Bureau of Land Management. One is shared between the two agencies. Some extend into neighboring counties, as indicated.

  • Bald Mountain Wilderness (Humboldt NF)
  • Becky Peak Wilderness (BLM)
  • Bristlecone Wilderness (BLM)
  • Currant Mountain Wilderness (Humboldt NF) partly in Nye County, NV
  • Goshute Canyon Wilderness (BLM)
  • Government Peak Wilderness (BLM)
  • High Schells Wilderness (Humboldt NF)
  • Highland Ridge Wilderness (BLM)
  • Mount Grafton Wilderness (BLM) partly in Lincoln County, NV
  • Mount Moriah Wilderness (Humboldt NF / BLM)
  • Red Mountain Wilderness (Humboldt NF) partly in Nye County, NV
  • Shellback Wilderness (Humboldt NF)
  • South Egan Range Wilderness (BLM) partly in Lincoln County, NV; Nye County, NV
  • White Pine Range Wilderness (Humboldt NF)

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1870 7,189 —
1880 2,682 −62.7%
1890 1,721 −35.8%
1900 1,961 13.9%
1910 7,441 279.4%
1920 8,935 20.1%
1930 11,771 31.7%
1940 12,377 5.1%
1950 9,424 −23.9%
1960 9,808 4.1%
1970 10,150 3.5%
1980 8,167 −19.5%
1990 9,264 13.4%
2000 9,181 −0.9%
2010 10,030 9.2%
2020 9,080 −9.5%
2023 (est.) 8,522 −15.0%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2018

White Pine County's population grew rapidly in the early part of the 20th Century in response to mining activity, and has remained relatively stable at around 9,500 residents since about 1950. Although mining has been a major employer throughout the county's history, tourism and services related to outdoor recreation are beginning to account for a larger share of jobs in the region.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 10,030 people, 3,707 households, and 2,344 families living in the county. The population density was 1.1 inhabitants per square mile (0.42/km2). There were 4,498 housing units at an average density of 0.5 per square mile (0.19/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 85.5% white, 4.2% American Indian, 3.9% black or African American, 1.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 2.8% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 13.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 26.9% were American, 11.3% were English, 11.2% were German, 10.4% were Irish, and 5.6% were Italian.

Of the 3,707 households, 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.8% were non-families, and 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.94. The median age was 40.8 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $48,545 and the median income for a family was $62,946. Males had a median income of $51,010 versus $31,453 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,615. About 11.7% of families and 15.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.6% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

From the late 19th century until near the end of the 20th century, the major industry was mining the region's deposits of copper, silver, and gold. The most notable of these operations included a series of open-pit copper mines near the town of Ruth, and a copper smelter in McGill, run by the Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation. The decline of mining has meant the loss of area jobs.

Education

The entire county is served by the White Pine County School District.

Communities

Nevada Northern Museum
Steam excursion train at the Nevada Northern Railway Museum's East Ely depot

City

  • Ely (county seat)

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de White Pine para niños

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