White Pine County, Nevada

History

White Pine County was established by European Americans 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 after a fire by Ely.

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 (3982 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).

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.

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 9,181 people, 3,282 households, and 2,159 families residing in the county. The population density was 1.0 people per square mile (0.40/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

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 10,030 people, 3,707 households, and 2,344 families residing 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.

City

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated places