Lincoln County
County
Lincoln County Courthouse in Pioche
Lincoln County Courthouse in Pioche
Flag of Lincoln County
Flag
Official seal of Lincoln County
Seal
Map of Nevada highlighting Lincoln County
Location within the U.S. state of Nevada
Map of the United States highlighting Nevada
Nevada's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°38′N 114°53′W / 37.64°N 114.88°W / 37.64; -114.88
Country United States
State Nevada
Founded1866 (1866)
Named forAbraham Lincoln
SeatPioche
Largest cityCaliente
Area
 • Total10,637 sq mi (27,550 km2)
 • Land10,633 sq mi (27,540 km2)
 • Water3.8 sq mi (10 km2)  0.04%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total4,499
 • Density0.42/sq mi (0.16/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitelincolncountynv.org
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.

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.

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.[5]

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.[6] 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).[7] 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%±
18702,985—
18802,637−11.7%
18902,466−6.5%
19003,28433.2%
19103,4896.2%
19202,287−34.5%
19303,60157.5%
19404,13014.7%
19503,837−7.1%
19602,431−36.6%
19702,5575.2%
19803,73246.0%
19903,7751.2%
20004,16510.3%
20105,34528.3%
20204,499−15.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2020[1]

2000 census

As of the census[12] 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.[13] 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).[14] 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.[13] 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.[15]

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.[13]

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.[16]

Education

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

  • Pioche Elementary School
  • Caliente Elementary School
  • Pahranagat Valley Elementary School
  • Panaca Elementary School
  • Meadow Valley Middle School
  • Pahranagat Valley Middle School
  • Lincoln County High School
  • C. O. Bastian High School
  • Pahranagat Valley High School

Politics

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.

United States presidential election results for Lincoln County, Nevada[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 2,067 84.51% 330 13.49% 49 2.00%
2016 1,671 78.38% 285 13.37% 176 8.26%
2012 1,691 78.58% 400 18.59% 61 2.83%
2008 1,498 71.10% 518 24.58% 91 4.32%
2004 1,579 77.14% 418 20.42% 50 2.44%
2000 1,372 70.14% 461 23.57% 123 6.29%
1996 936 52.50% 499 27.99% 348 19.52%
1992 890 47.93% 511 27.52% 456 24.56%
1988 1,035 66.18% 466 29.80% 63 4.03%
1984 1,175 72.71% 397 24.57% 44 2.72%
1980 1,087 68.54% 396 24.97% 103 6.49%
1976 700 50.04% 642 45.89% 57 4.07%
1972 841 68.77% 382 31.23% 0 0.00%
1968 555 49.87% 414 37.20% 144 12.94%
1964 440 35.92% 785 64.08% 0 0.00%
1960 530 40.74% 771 59.26% 0 0.00%
1956 885 52.43% 803 47.57% 0 0.00%
1952 903 48.97% 941 51.03% 0 0.00%
1948 520 33.48% 1,004 64.65% 29 1.87%
1944 524 28.81% 1,295 71.19% 0 0.00%
1940 461 22.36% 1,601 77.64% 0 0.00%
1936 254 13.42% 1,639 86.58% 0 0.00%
1932 295 21.07% 1,105 78.93% 0 0.00%
1928 553 50.50% 542 49.50% 0 0.00%
1924 200 27.10% 257 34.82% 281 38.08%
1920 373 47.64% 366 46.74% 44 5.62%
1916 202 22.67% 634 71.16% 55 6.17%
1912 100 18.28% 275 50.27% 172 31.44%
1908 690 42.72% 768 47.55% 157 9.72%
1904 405 53.08% 295 38.66% 63 8.26%

Communities

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. ↑ Joseph Nathan Kane, The American Counties (4th Ed.), (The Scarecrow Press, 1983), p479-480
  6. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Mount Grafton-South Ridge, Nevada". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  8. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  11. ↑ "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.
  12. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. 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.
  14. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  15. ↑ "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.
  16. ↑ "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.
  17. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Helen J. Stewart". University of Nevada, Reno. Retrieved March 9, 2012.

37°38′N 114°53′W / 37.64°N 114.88°W / 37.64; -114.88

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