Humboldt County, Nevada

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Template:Infobox U.S. county

Humboldt County is a county in the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 17,285.[1] It is a largely rural county that is sparsely populated with the only major city being Winnemucca, the county seat, which has a population of 8,431.[2] Humboldt County comprises the Winnemucca, NV Micropolitan Statistical Area and serves as an important crossroads in the national transportation network. Interstate 80 travels through the southeastern corner of the county, meeting US 95 in Winnemucca that serves as a primary freight corridor between Northern Nevada and Boise, Idaho and the Interstate 84 freight corridor that links much of the Pacific Northwest. The original transcontinental railway, constructed by the Central Pacific Railroad, reached Humboldt County on September 16, 1868.[3] The Western Pacific Railroad would reach Humboldt County by November 1909,[4] providing two mainline rail links to California and the Eastern United States. Both railroads have since been acquired by the Union Pacific Railroad, who continues to serve the region today.

The county contains several areas of land belonging to regionally significant Native American communities including the Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe and the Winnemucca Indian Colony of Nevada.

Largely a region with ranchers and farmers, the county came under increased attention after the 2017 proposal of the Thacker Pass Lithium Mine. The mine has been controversial locally and in the national press—as it would be the first major lithium clay mine to open in the United States and be important to the local economy but threatens local ecosystems and indigenous heritage sites.[5][6]

History

File:Santa Rosa Range, NV 2008.jpg
Santa Rosa Range, Humboldt National Forest.

The Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone tribes have lived in Humboldt County for over 12,000 years.[7]

Humboldt County is the oldest county in Nevada, created by the Utah Territorial Legislature in 1856. It was also one of Nevada's original nine counties created in 1861. The county is named after the Humboldt River, which was named by John C. Frémont after Alexander von Humboldt, a German naturalist, traveler and statesman.[8] Humboldt never saw the places that bear his name. Unionville was the first county seat in 1861 until the mining boom died there and it was moved to Winnemucca on the transcontinental railroad line in 1873. [citation needed]

The county was the site of an arrest in 2000 that led to the U.S. Supreme Court decision Hiibel v. Sixth Judicial District Court of Nevada in 2004.

Humboldt County is referenced in Brandon Flowers' 2015 song "Digging Up The Heart", in which the protagonist meets "Christie, queen of Humboldt County".[9]

Geography

File:2012-10-14 14 Winnemucca Sand Dunes, north of Winnemucca in Nevada.jpg
The Winnemucca Sand Dunes, north of Winnemucca

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 9,658 square miles (25,010 km2), of which 9,641 square miles (24,970 km2) is land and 17 square miles (44 km2) (0.2%) is water.[10] It is Nevada's fourth-largest county by area.

The Santa Rosa Range runs through eastern Humboldt County. The highest point in the county, 9,731 ft (2,966 m) Granite Peak, is in the range.[11] The most topographically prominent mountain in Humboldt County is unofficially known as Dan Dobbins Peak and is in the remote Jackson Mountains.

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Reservations

The county includes land that is held by Indian reservations.

Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe

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Winnemucca Indian Colony of Nevada

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Demographics

Template:US Census population

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 17,285. The median age was 36.7 years, 26.2% of residents were under the age of 18, and 14.6% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 106.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 107.2 males age 18 and over.[12]

61.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 39.0% lived in rural areas.[13]

Humboldt County, Nevada – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[14] Pop 2010[15] Pop 2020[16] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 11,985 11,395 11,032 74.41% 68.94% 63.82%
Black or African American alone (NH) 78 78 137 0.48% 0.47% 0.79%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 598 628 571 3.71% 3.80% 3.30%
Asian alone (NH) 88 108 152 0.55% 0.65% 0.88%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 11 18 26 0.07% 0.11% 0.15%
Other race alone (NH) 14 12 199 0.09% 0.07% 1.15%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 292 251 657 1.81% 1.52% 3.80%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3,040 4,038 4,511 18.88% 24.43% 26.10%
Total 16,106 16,528 17,285 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

The racial makeup of the county was 69.8% White, 0.9% Black or African American, 4.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% Asian, 0.2% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 12.5% from some other race, and 11.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 26.1% of the population.[17]

There were 6,575 households in the county, of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 19.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[12]

There were 7,658 housing units, of which 14.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 69.8% were owner-occupied and 30.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.2%.[12]

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 16,528 people, 6,289 households, and 4,316 families in the county.[18] The population density was 1.7 inhabitants per square mile (0.66/km2). There were 7,123 housing units at an average density of 0.7 units per square mile (0.27 units/km2).[19] The racial makeup of the county was 79.0% white, 4.2% American Indian, 0.7% Asian, 0.5% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 12.7% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 24.4% of the population.[18] In terms of ancestry, 15.0% were English, 14.6% were Irish, 14.1% were German, and 5.1% were American.[20]

Of the 6,289 households, 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.4% were non-families, and 25.6% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.13. The median age was 36.2 years.[18]

The median household income was $55,656 and the median family income was $69,032. Males had a median income of $56,843 versus $33,531 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,965. About 7.8% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.[21]

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 16,106 people in the county, organized into 5733 households, and 4133 families. The population density was 2 people per square mile (0.77 people/km2). There were 6,954 housing units at an average density of 1 units per square mile (0.39/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 83.21% White, 4.02% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.51% Black or African American, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 8.54% from other races, and 3.09% from two or more races. 18.87%.[22] were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,733 households, 40.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.6% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 22.8% of households were made up of individuals, and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.28.

The age distribution was 31.40% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 31.20% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 7.50% who were 65 or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 110.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.20 males.

The median household income was $47,147 and the median family income was $52,156. Males had a median income of $44,694 versus $25,917 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,539. 9.70% of the population and 7.70% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 10.40% of those under the age of 18 and 10.80% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

File:Winnemucca state bank and trust large.jpg
Winnemucca State Bank and Trust building is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Education

File:Paradise Valley wildflowers, NV.jpg
Wildflowers in Paradise Valley, 2008

Humboldt County School District serves all of Humboldt County.[23] Albert M. Lowry High School and McDermitt Combined School have high school programs.

The county is in the service area of Great Basin College.[24]

Previously Crane Union High School, a boarding high school in Oregon, served portions of the county,[25] and it continues to be an option for residents living in Denio.[26]

There was formerly a private school in the county, the Leonard Creek School, that was in operation in 1978.[27]

The Humboldt County Library has its main facility in Winnemucca,[28] and branches in Denio and McDermitt.[29]

Law enforcement

There have been at least two allegations of abuse of civil forfeiture by Humboldt County Sheriff's deputy Lee Dove, who as of 2015, is no longer employed as a deputy. Both cases were settled in favor of the civilians in question.[30]

Politics

Humboldt County, like most of rural Nevada, is overwhelmingly Republican. This has been especially true in recent elections, with Donald Trump receiving over three-quarters of the vote in both 2020 and 2024. The Fort McDermitt Indian Reservation, which lies on the county's northern border, is the only Democratic-leaning area of the county, though their population is relatively small in comparison with the city of Winnemucca and the rest of the rural county and other communities such as Paradise Valley, Orovada and Denio, which vote heavily Republican.[31]

United States presidential election results for Humboldt County, Nevada[32][33]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1904 610 57.44% 356 33.52% 96 9.04%
1908 823 40.07% 1,009 49.12% 222 10.81%
1912 207 11.51% 719 39.99% 872 48.50%
1916 1,004 33.47% 1,681 56.03% 315 10.50%
1920 660 51.40% 532 41.43% 92 7.17%
1924 400 35.30% 248 21.89% 485 42.81%
1928 783 56.53% 602 43.47% 0 0.00%
1932 405 26.45% 1,126 73.55% 0 0.00%
1936 390 24.38% 1,210 75.63% 0 0.00%
1940 789 36.60% 1,367 63.40% 0 0.00%
1944 835 45.65% 994 54.35% 0 0.00%
1948 901 49.21% 886 48.39% 44 2.40%
1952 1,398 66.92% 691 33.08% 0 0.00%
1956 1,292 60.60% 840 39.40% 0 0.00%
1960 1,157 49.66% 1,173 50.34% 0 0.00%
1964 1,106 43.77% 1,421 56.23% 0 0.00%
1968 1,287 50.97% 885 35.05% 353 13.98%
1972 1,659 69.94% 713 30.06% 0 0.00%
1976 1,380 53.38% 1,074 41.55% 131 5.07%
1980 1,950 68.59% 684 24.06% 209 7.35%
1984 2,498 72.41% 862 24.99% 90 2.61%
1988 2,378 66.50% 1,024 28.64% 174 4.87%
1992 1,505 42.72% 810 22.99% 1,208 34.29%
1996 2,334 50.85% 1,467 31.96% 789 17.19%
2000 3,638 72.33% 1,128 22.43% 264 5.25%
2004 3,896 72.59% 1,361 25.36% 110 2.05%
2008 3,586 63.31% 1,909 33.70% 169 2.98%
2012 3,810 66.33% 1,737 30.24% 197 3.43%
2016 4,521 70.28% 1,386 21.55% 526 8.18%
2020 5,877 75.63% 1,689 21.73% 205 2.64%
2024 6,141 76.48% 1,711 21.31% 178 2.22%
2016 1 33.33% 1 33.33% 1 33.33%


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Economy

Lithium mine

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Transportation

Major highways

Communities

City

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

See also

References

  1. ↑ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Humboldt County, NV". United States Census Bureau QuickFacts. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  2. ↑ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Winnemucca City". United States Census Bureau QuickFacts. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  3. ↑ "The Great Race to Promontory". The Great Race to Promontory. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Western Pacific in Utah". September 26, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  5. ↑ Sonner, Scott (July 26, 2021). "Judge denies environmentalists' request to block digging at Thacker Pass lithium mine". Reno Gazette-Journal. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  6. ↑ Great Basin Resource Watch (February 26, 2021). "Conservation and Public Accountability Groups File Legal Challenge to the Thacker Pass Lithium Mine" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on February 27, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  7. ↑ "People of the Humboldt". Nevada State Historic Preservation Office. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
  8. ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 163. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Brandon Flowers - Diggin' Up The Heart Lyrics". Directlyrics.com. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
  10. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  11. ↑ Template:Cite peakbagger
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  13. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  14. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Humboldt County, Nevada". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  15. ↑ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Humboldt County, Nevada". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  16. ↑ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Humboldt County, Nevada". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  17. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 "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.
  19. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  20. ↑ "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.
  21. ↑ "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.
  22. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  23. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Humboldt County, NV" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022. - Text list.
  24. ↑ "Data and Information". Great Basin College. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  25. ↑ Flanigan, James (March 1, 1976). "At Crane, they board 'em". The Capital Journal. Salem, Oregon. p. 12. - Clipping from Newspapers.com. There was an abbreviated version published: Flanigan, James (March 18, 1976). "Crane Union High students live on campus at Burns". The World. Coos Bay, Oregon. United Press International. p. 14. - Clipping from Newspapers.com.
  26. ↑ Roccapriore, Carla (December 12, 2004). "Tiny-town students visit biggest little city". Reno Gazette-Journal. pp. 1C, 2C. - Clipping of first and of second page at Newspapers.com.
  27. ↑ "Humboldt school board facing growth problems". Reno Evening Gazette. Reno, Nevada. May 12, 1978. p. 10. - Clipping from Newspaper.com. Text detail A and Text detail B
  28. ↑ "Library". Humboldt County. Retrieved March 22, 2025. 85 E 5th Street Winnemucca, NV 89445 - from image
  29. ↑ "Library Branches". Humboldt County. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
  30. ↑ O’Harrow Jr., Robert; Sallah, Michael (September 8, 2014). "They fought the law. Who won?". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
  31. ↑ Datar, Saurabh; Marcus, Ilana; Murray, Eli; Singer, Ethan; Lemonides, Alex; Zhang, Christine; Smith, Jonah (January 15, 2025). "An Extremely Detailed Map of the 2024 Election". The New York Times.
  32. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  33. ↑ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 533 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 339 votes.

Template:Geographic Location Template:Humboldt County, Nevada Template:Nevada Coordinates: 41°25′N 118°07′W / 41.41°N 118.12°W / 41.41; -118.12

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