Lincoln County, Nevada

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Lincoln County
County
Lincoln County Courthouse in Pioche.jpg
Lincoln County Courthouse in Pioche
Flag of Lincoln County, Nevada.svg
Flag
Seal of Lincoln County, Nevada.svg
Seal
Map of Nevada highlighting Lincoln County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Nevada
Nevada in United States.svg
Nevada's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°38′N114°53′W / 37.64°N 114.88°W / 37.64; -114.88
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Nevada.svg  Nevada
Founded1866;159 years ago (1866)
Named for Abraham Lincoln
Seat Pioche
Largest city Caliente
Area
 • Total
10,637 sq mi (27,550 km2)
 • Land10,633 sq mi (27,540 km2)
 • Water3.8 sq mi (10 km2)  0.04%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
4,499
 • Estimate 
(2023)
4,452 Decrease2.svg
 • Density0.42/sq mi (0.16/km2)
Time zone UTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district 4th
Website lincolncountynv.org
Cathedral Gorge and Lincoln County near Panaca Cathedral Gorge.jpg
Cathedral Gorge and Lincoln County near Panaca

Lincoln County is a county in the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,499, [1] making it the fourth-least populous county in Nevada. Its county seat is Pioche. [2] Like many counties in Nevada, it is dry and sparsely populated, though notable for containing the Area 51 government Air Force base.

Contents

History

Lincoln County was established in 1866 after Congress enlarged Nevada by moving its state line eastward and southward at the expense of Utah and Arizona territories. [3] It is named after Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. [4] Original legislation called for the creation of a "Stewart County", after Nevada Senator William M. Stewart, but this was later changed in a substitute bill. Crystal Springs was the county's first seat in 1866, followed by Hiko in 1867 and Pioche in 1871.

In 1870, the county's newspaper, Lincoln County Record , was established. [5] Lincoln County initially included a ranch village and railroad siding named Las Vegas. However, that siding, which led to the future city of Las Vegas, was separated from Lincoln County upon the founding of Clark County effective July 1, 1909, by act of the Nevada Legislature. [6]

Area 51 is in Lincoln County and the county sheriff acts in proxy for the perimeter security forces.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 10,637 square miles (27,550 km2), of which 10,633 square miles (27,540 km2) is land and 3.8 square miles (9.8 km2) (0.04%) is water. [7] While only the third-largest county by area in the state of Nevada, it is the seventh-largest county in area in the United States, not including boroughs and census areas in Alaska. The south cliff of Mount Rummel, the summit of which is just north of the county line in White Pine County, contains Lincoln County's highest point, at 10,640 feet (3,240 m). [8] The highest independent mountain completely within Lincoln County is Shingle Peak, while the county's most topographically prominent peak is Mormon Peak.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Lincoln County contains 16 official wilderness areas that are part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. All are managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Several extend into neighboring counties (as indicated below).

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1870 2,985—
1880 2,637−11.7%
1890 2,466−6.5%
1900 3,28433.2%
1910 3,4896.2%
1920 2,287−34.5%
1930 3,60157.5%
1940 4,13014.7%
1950 3,837−7.1%
1960 2,431−36.6%
1970 2,5575.2%
1980 3,73246.0%
1990 3,7751.2%
2000 4,16510.3%
2010 5,34528.3%
2020 4,499−15.8%
2023 (est.)4,452 [9] −1.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [10]
1790-1960 [11] 1900-1990 [12]
1990-2000 [13] 2010-2020 [1]

2000 census

As of the census [14] of 2000, there were 4,165 people, 1,540 households, and 1,010 families living in the county. The population density was less than one person per square mile (and less than 1/km2). There were 2,178 housing units at an average density of 0 per square mile (0/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.50% White, 1.78% Black or African American, 1.75% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.69% from other races, and 1.92% from two or more races. 5.31% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

According to the 2000 census the five largest ancestry groups in Lincoln County are English (21%), German (18%), Irish (11%), Mexican (4%) and Italian (4%).

There were 1,540 households, out of which 29.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.20% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.40% were non-families. 31.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 30.10% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 21.90% from 25 to 44, 25.90% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 107.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,979, and the median income for a family was $45,588. Males had a median income of $40,048 versus $23,571 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,326. About 11.50% of families and 16.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.60% of those under age 18 and 17.40% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 5,345 people, 1,988 households, and 1,282 families living in the county. [15] The population density was 0.5 inhabitants per square mile (0.19/km2). There were 2,730 housing units at an average density of 0.3 per square mile (0.12/km2). [16] The racial makeup of the county was 91.1% white, 2.3% black or African American, 1.1% American Indian, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% Pacific islander, 2.2% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 6.2% of the population. [15] In terms of ancestry, 39.8% were English, 19.5% were German, 12.4% were Irish, 6.1% were Danish, 5.9% were Dutch, and 1.8% were American. [17]

Of the 1,988 households, 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.5% were non-families, and 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.16. The median age was 39.9 years. [15]

The median income for a household in the county was $44,695 and the median income for a family was $56,167. Males had a median income of $51,475 versus $26,366 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,148. About 7.5% of families and 10.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.5% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over. [18]

Education

Public schools in Lincoln County are under the Lincoln County School District. [19] The schools are:

Politics

United States presidential election results for Lincoln County, Nevada [20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2024 2,10885.28%31412.70%502.02%
2020 2,06784.51%33013.49%492.00%
2016 1,67178.38%28513.37%1768.26%
2012 1,69178.58%40018.59%612.83%
2008 1,49871.10%51824.58%914.32%
2004 1,57977.14%41820.42%502.44%
2000 1,37270.14%46123.57%1236.29%
1996 93652.50%49927.99%34819.52%
1992 89047.93%51127.52%45624.56%
1988 1,03566.18%46629.80%634.03%
1984 1,17572.71%39724.57%442.72%
1980 1,08768.54%39624.97%1036.49%
1976 70050.04%64245.89%574.07%
1972 84168.77%38231.23%00.00%
1968 55549.87%41437.20%14412.94%
1964 44035.92%78564.08%00.00%
1960 53040.74%77159.26%00.00%
1956 88552.43%80347.57%00.00%
1952 90348.97%94151.03%00.00%
1948 52033.48%1,00464.65%291.87%
1944 52428.81%1,29571.19%00.00%
1940 46122.36%1,60177.64%00.00%
1936 25413.42%1,63986.58%00.00%
1932 29521.07%1,10578.93%00.00%
1928 55350.50%54249.50%00.00%
1924 20027.10%25734.82%28138.08%
1920 37347.64%36646.74%445.62%
1916 20222.67%63471.16%556.17%
1912 10018.28%27550.27%17231.44%
1908 69042.72%76847.55%1579.72%
1904 40553.08%29538.66%638.26%

Before 1968, Lincoln County frequently backed the Democratic Party in presidential elections, with only five elections from 1904 to 1964 not won by a Democratic nominee. The 1968 election began the county's status as a Republican Party stronghold, with no Democrat managing to win 30% of its votes since Jimmy Carter in 1976. The county since then has generally continued further into the Republican party column, with Donald Trump's 2024 performance of over 85% being the best for any Republican yet. In this election the county was second only to Eureka County as the most Republican county in the state of Nevada.

Communities

A sign on U.S. Route 93 in Lincoln County AlamoNV.2.jpg
A sign on U.S. Route 93 in Lincoln County

City

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Planned development

Notable people

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts".
  2. ↑ "County Explorer". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ "History". Lincoln County Nevada. 2014. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  4. ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p.  187 . Retrieved January 1, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Lincoln County Record". Muck Rack . Miami. February 7, 2025. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  6. ↑ Joseph Nathan Kane, The American Counties (4th Ed.), (The Scarecrow Press, 1983), p479-480
  7. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Mount Grafton-South Ridge, Nevada". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  10. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  13. ↑ "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.
  14. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. 1 2 3 "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.
  16. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  17. ↑ "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.
  18. ↑ "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.
  19. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Lincoln County, NV" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved October 25, 2024. - Text list
  20. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Helen J. Stewart". University of Nevada, Reno . Retrieved March 9, 2012.

37°38′N114°53′W / 37.64°N 114.88°W / 37.64; -114.88

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