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White Pine County, Nevada

Coordinates: 39°26′N 114°54′W / 39.44°N 114.90°W / 39.44; -114.90
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White Pine County
County
White Pine County Courthouse in Ely
White Pine County Courthouse in Ely
Official logo of White Pine County
Logo
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.
Coordinates: 39°26′N 114°54′W / 39.44°N 114.9°W / 39.44; -114.9
Country United States
State Nevada
Founded1869; 155 years ago (1869)
Named forRocky Mountain white pine
SeatEly
Largest cityEly
Area
 • Total
8,897 sq mi (23,040 km2)
 • Land8,876 sq mi (22,990 km2)
 • Water21 sq mi (50 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
9,080
 • Estimate 
(2023)
8,522 Decrease
 • Density1.0/sq mi (0.39/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewhitepinecounty.net
Wheeler Peak, elevation 13,065 feet (3,982 m), in Great Basin National Park.
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.[1] Its county seat is Ely.[2] 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

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

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

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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.[3]

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).[4] It is also the most topographically prominent peak in the county and the second-most prominent peak in Nevada (after Mount Charleston).

Major highways

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Wilderness

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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."[5] 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.

Adjacent counties

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National protected areas

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18707,189—
18802,682−62.7%
18901,721−35.8%
19001,96113.9%
19107,441279.4%
19208,93520.1%
193011,77131.7%
194012,3775.1%
19509,424−23.9%
19609,8084.1%
197010,1503.5%
19808,167−19.5%
19909,26413.4%
20009,181−0.9%
201010,0309.2%
20209,080−9.5%
2023 (est.)8,522[6]−6.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2018[1]

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.

2000 census

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As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 9,181 people, 3,282 households, and 2,159 families living in the county. The population density was 1.0 people per square mile (0.39 people/km2). There were 4,439 housing units at an average density of 0.50 per square mile (0.19/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 86.35% White, 4.14% Black or African American, 3.29% Native American, 0.78% Asian, 0.24% Pacific Islander, 3.09% from other races, and 2.10% from two or more races. 10.98% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,282 households, out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.80% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.2% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 128.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 138.5 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,688, and the median income for a family was $44,136. Males had a median income of $36,083 versus $26,425 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,309. About 10.3% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.8% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 10,030 people, 3,707 households, and 2,344 families living in the county.[12] 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).[13] 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.[12] 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.[14]

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.[12]

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.[15]

Economy

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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

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The entire county is served by the White Pine County School District.[16]

Communities

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

City

[edit]
  • Ely (county seat)

Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Ghost towns

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Government and infrastructure

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Regional offices of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service are located in Ely.

Ely State Prison, the location of Nevada's death row for men and the state execution chamber, is located in the county.

Politics

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A swing county for much of the 20th century, White Pine County has become powerfully Republican like the rest of rural Nevada since the 1980s. The last Democrat to carry a majority in the county was Jimmy Carter in 1976. The most recent Democratic win in the county was a 36% plurality by Bill Clinton in 1992; Clinton went on to lose the county in 1996 by just 2 votes. Donald Trump received over 70% of the county's vote in both 2016 and 2020.

United States presidential election results for White Pine County, Nevada[17][18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 3,364 77.32% 883 20.29% 104 2.39%
2020 3,403 77.89% 859 19.66% 107 2.45%
2016 2,723 72.17% 707 18.74% 343 9.09%
2012 2,601 70.22% 983 26.54% 120 3.24%
2008 2,440 63.51% 1,230 32.01% 172 4.48%
2004 2,604 68.49% 1,082 28.46% 116 3.05%
2000 2,234 63.05% 1,069 30.17% 240 6.77%
1996 1,399 40.03% 1,397 39.97% 699 20.00%
1992 1,206 32.33% 1,354 36.30% 1,170 31.37%
1988 1,774 53.31% 1,351 40.59% 203 6.10%
1984 1,917 57.90% 1,276 38.54% 118 3.56%
1980 1,896 54.77% 1,181 34.11% 385 11.12%
1976 1,543 41.27% 2,009 53.73% 187 5.00%
1972 2,446 61.27% 1,546 38.73% 0 0.00%
1968 1,670 40.65% 2,062 50.19% 376 9.15%
1964 1,174 29.48% 2,809 70.52% 0 0.00%
1960 1,552 36.39% 2,713 63.61% 0 0.00%
1956 2,386 51.50% 2,247 48.50% 0 0.00%
1952 2,205 50.25% 2,183 49.75% 0 0.00%
1948 1,396 36.33% 2,287 59.51% 160 4.16%
1944 1,554 35.59% 2,812 64.41% 0 0.00%
1940 1,568 29.93% 3,671 70.07% 0 0.00%
1936 872 23.71% 2,806 76.29% 0 0.00%
1932 1,352 38.30% 2,178 61.70% 0 0.00%
1928 1,992 58.50% 1,413 41.50% 0 0.00%
1924 1,049 44.52% 499 21.18% 808 34.30%
1920 1,354 55.58% 902 37.03% 180 7.39%
1916 948 30.31% 1,922 61.45% 258 8.25%
1912 254 16.92% 514 34.24% 733 48.83%
1908 786 47.84% 722 43.94% 135 8.22%
1904 276 59.35% 152 32.69% 37 7.96%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts".
  2. ^ "County Explorer". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  4. ^ "Wheeler Peak, Nevada". Peakbagger.com.
  5. ^ Fast facts about America's wilderness Archived June 14, 2019, at the Wayback Machine - Wilderness.net
  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. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: White Pine County, NV" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 14, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2022. - Text list
  17. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  18. ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 431 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 302 votes.
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39°26′N 114°54′W / 39.44°N 114.90°W / 39.44; -114.90

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