Nye County, Nevada

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File:2017 Reveille Wild Horse Release, central NV.jpg
2017 Reveille Wild Horse Release by BLM, about 50 miles east of Tonopah and 12 miles south of Warm Springs, Nevada
File:Gold-t06-315c.jpg
Gold specimen from the Round Mountain Gold Mine

Nye County is a county in the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2020 census, the population was 51,591.[1] Its county seat is Tonopah.[2] At 18,159 square miles (47,030 km2), Nye is Nevada's largest county by area and the third-largest county in the contiguous United States, behind San Bernardino County, California and Coconino County, Arizona.

Nye County comprises the Pahrump micropolitan statistical area, which is included in the Las Vegas-Henderson combined statistical area.

In 2010, Nevada's center of population was in southern Nye County, near Yucca Mountain.[3]

The Nevada Test Site and proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository are in southwestern Nye County, and are the focus of a great deal of controversy. The federal government manages 92% of the county's land. A 1987 attempt to stop the nuclear waste site resulted in the creation of Bullfrog County, Nevada, which was dissolved two years later.

The county has several environmentally sensitive areas, including Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, the White River Valley, several Great Basin sky islands, and part of Death Valley National Park. Visitors to Death Valley often stay at Beatty or Amargosa Valley.

Nye County is one of 10 Nevada counties where prostitution is legal. The county has no incorporated cities. The seat of government in Tonopah is 160 miles (260 km) from Pahrump, where about 86% of the county's population resides.

History

Nye County was established during the American Civil War in 1864 and named after James W. Nye, the first governor of the Nevada Territory and later a U.S. Senator after it was admitted as a state. The first county seat was Ione in 1864, followed by Belmont in 1867, and finally Tonopah in 1905.

The county's first boom came in the early 20th century, when Rhyolite and Tonopah, as well as Goldfield in nearby Esmeralda County, had gold- and silver-mining booms. In 1906, Goldfield had 30,000 residents, Tonopah nearly 10,000, and Rhyolite peaked at about 10,000. These cities were linked by the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad.[4]

After the boom died, Nye County withered. By 1910, the population had plummeted to about 7,500 before sinking to near 3,000 in the middle of the century.[5] With development at the military test site and increasing employment and resources, the population stabilized. After the 1990s, when Pahrump became a bedroom community for Las Vegas, it had high rates of population growth.

Periodically, discussions have arisen of moving the county seat to Pahrump, or splitting off the southern portion of the county, but neither of these ideas appears to have sufficient support in the county or state government.[6]

From 1987 to 1989, Bullfrog County, Nevada, was split off from Nye County to form a separate political region. Its population was zero; its creation was an attempt to stop a nuclear waste storage facility from being built in the region.[7]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 18,199 square miles (47,140 km2), of which 18,182 square miles (47,090 km2) is land and 17 square miles (44 km2) (0.09%) is water.[8] The highest and most topographically prominent mountain in the county is Mount Jefferson at 11,949 feet (3,642 m).[9]

Nye County is in south-central Nevada. It is Nevada's largest county and the third-largest county in the contiguous United States, after San Bernardino County in California and Coconino County in Arizona. Nye County's land area of 11,560,960 acres (46,785.5 km2) is larger than that of Maryland, Hawaii, Vermont, and New Hampshire, and larger than the combined area of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Delaware. Of this vast land area, only 822,711 acres (3,329.39 km2), or just over 7%, is private land; most of it is public land managed by the federal government. Before the Treaty of Ruby Valley, the whole area was controlled by the Western Shoshone people, who say they never ceded territory here. According to the United States Census Bureau the county's Census Tract 9805, with a land area of 4,225.415 square miles (10,943.77 km2), comprising the Nevada Test Site and Nye County's portion of the Nevada Test and Training Range, is the country's largest census tract that has no resident population (as of the 2000 census).

Las Vegas, in Clark County, is 100 miles (160 km) southeast of Yucca Mountain. Many Pahrump residents commute 60 miles (97 km) each way to Las Vegas via Nevada State Route 160, which for much of its length is a four-lane divided highway.

Adjacent counties

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National protected areas

Transportation

Public transit

In 2018, Nye county launched its own transit service for the town of Pahrump named Pahrump Valley Public Transportation.[10][11] In 2023, Pahrump Valley Public Transportation launch demand response service to Beatty and Amargosa Valley[12]

For Senior Transportation/Paratransit transportation services is directly provided by Nye County Transportation Services department[13]

Major highways

Nye County has a long stretch of U.S. Route 95, the main road connecting Las Vegas with the state capital, Carson City. Beatty and Tonopah both rely heavily on through traffic to sustain their economies. As of 2006, an average of 2,000 cars daily traveled U.S. 95 near Tonopah.[14]

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Template:Sronly%±
18701,087—
18801,87572.5%
18901,290−31.2%
19001,140−11.6%
19107,513559.0%
19206,504−13.4%
19303,989−38.7%
19403,606−9.6%
19503,101−14.0%
19604,37441.1%
19705,59928.0%
19809,04861.6%
199017,78196.5%
200032,48582.7%
201043,94635.3%
202051,59117.4%
2025 (est.)57,336[15] Increase11.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[16]
1790–1960[17] 1900–1990[18]
1990-2000[19] 2010–2020[1]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 51,591. The median age was 53.6 years. 16.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 31.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 105.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 106.0 males age 18 and over. 72.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 27.3% lived in rural areas.[20][21][22]

Nye County, Nevada – Racial and ethnic composition
Page Template:Nobold/styles.css has no content.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[23] Pop 2010[24] Pop 2020[25] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 27,511 34,663 37,313 84.69% 78.88% 72.32%
Black or African American alone (NH) 373 836 1,496 1.15% 1.90% 2.90%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 587 592 620 1.81% 1.35% 1.20%
Asian alone (NH) 242 547 1,028 0.74% 1.24% 1.99%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 100 179 217 0.31% 0.41% 0.42%
Other race alone (NH) 68 53 291 0.21% 0.12% 0.56%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 891 1,109 2,699 2.74% 2.52% 5.23%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2,713 5,967 7,927 8.35% 13.58% 15.37%
Total 32,485 43,946 51,591 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

The racial makeup of the county was 75.9% White, 3.0% Black or African American, 1.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1% Asian, 0.5% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 6.4% from some other race, and 10.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 15.4% of the population.[22]

There were 21,763 households in the county, of which 20.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 23.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[21]

There were 25,191 housing units, of which 13.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 74.2% were owner-occupied and 25.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.2%.[21]

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 43,946 people, 18,032 households, and 11,929 families in the county.[26] The population density was 2.4 inhabitants per square mile (0.93 inhabitants/km2). There were 22,350 housing units at an average density of 1.2 units per square mile (0.46 units/km2).[27] The racial makeup of the county was 85.9% white, 2.0% black or African American, 1.6% American Indian, 1.3% Asian, 0.5% Pacific islander, 5.2% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 13.6% of the population.[26] In terms of ancestry, 18.6% were German, 15.8% were English, 14.7% were Irish, 10.3% were American, and 6.1% were Italian.[28]

Of the 18,032 households, 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.8% were non-families, and 26.8% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age was 48.4 years.[26]

The median household income was $41,181 and the median family income was $50,218. Males had a median income of $51,574 versus $32,152 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,687. About 14.2% of families and 18.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.8% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.[29]

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 32,485 people, 13,309 households, and 9,063 families in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile (0.77 people/km2). There were 15,934 housing units at an average density of 1 units per square mile (0.39/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.0% White, 1.18% Black or African American, 1.96% Native American, 0.78% Asian, 0.32% Pacific Islander, 2.98% from other races, and 3.15% from two or more races. 8.35%.[30] were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 13,309 households 16.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 26.30% were married couples living together, 7.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.90% were non-families. 25.70% of households were one person and 10.30% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.90.

The age distribution was 3.70% under the age of 18, 5.40% from 18 to 24, 24.00% from 25 to 44, 58.50% from 45 to 64, and 18.40% 65 or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 105.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.70 males.

The county's median household income was $36,024, and the median family income was $41,642. Males had a median income of $37,276 versus $22,394 for females. The county's per capita income was $17,962. About 7.30% of families and 10.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.10% of those under age 18 and 8.30% of those age 65 or over.

Like many rural counties of the western United States, Nye County experiences a relatively high suicide rate.[31] According to the Centers for Disease Control, the annual suicide rate in Nye County averaged 28.7561 per 100,000 people during 1989–1998, the most recent period for which data is available. This was the third-highest rate among Nevada counties, behind White Pine (34.3058) and Lyon County (30.8917), but ahead of the overall rate of 22.96 for Nevada, which leads the nation.

Education

The Nye County School District serves all of Nye County.[32]

High school students in Esmeralda County go to Tonopah High School of Nye County School District.[33]

The county is in the service area of Great Basin College.[34]

Communities

Road from Carrara, Nevada, towards the marble quarry in the background

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

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Ghost towns

Ruins of the John S. Cook and Company building; occupied in 1908 by the First National Bank, Rhyolite

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Politics

Nye County, like most rural Nevada counties, is a Republican stronghold. The last Democrat to carry the county was Jimmy Carter in 1976.

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Nye County was one of the primary broadcast locations of American veteran radio broadcaster Art Bell, who was famous for creating and hosting Coast to Coast AM, Art Bell's Dark Matter and "Midnight in the Desert", the last of which continued to be broadcast on the Dark Matter Digital Network by Bell's chosen successor, Dave Schrader. Bell lived in the county until his death on April 13, 2018.[36][37]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Nye County, Nevada". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  2. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."County Explorer". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Download the Centers of Population by State: 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  4. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Ghost Towns and History of the American West". Ghosttowns.com. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
  5. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Nye County, NV Population by Decades". Archived from the original on July 13, 2009.
  6. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Mark Waite (January 9, 2001). "View Newspapers: Resident proposes new county formation". The Vie. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011.
  7. ^ Morell, Casey. "Bullfrog County, Population 0", KNPR. August 28, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  8. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  9. ^ Script error: No such module "Template wrapper".
  10. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Public transit service arrives in Pahrump area". Pahrump Valley Times. January 19, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  11. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Pahrump Valley Public Transportation Inc". www.gopvpt.org. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  12. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Pahrump Valley Transportation's newest service will give students rides from after-school programs". Pahrump Valley Times. August 10, 2023.
  13. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Transportation Services | Nye County, NV Official Website". www.nyecountynv.gov. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  14. ^ [1] Nevada Department of Transportation AADT report Script error: No such module "webarchive".
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference USCensusEst2025 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  17. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  18. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  19. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."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.
  20. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  21. ^ a b c Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  22. ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  23. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Nye County, Nevada". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  24. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Nye County, Nevada". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  25. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Nye County, Nevada". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  26. ^ a b c Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 21, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  27. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 21, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  28. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 21, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  29. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 21, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  30. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  31. ^ "Rural Suicide: Soaring rates puzzling", Las Vegas Review-Journal
  32. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Nye County, NV" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2022. - Text list
  33. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Education". Esmeralda County, Nevada. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  34. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Data and Information". Great Basin College. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  35. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Carrara - Nevada Ghost Town". Ghosttowns.com. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
  36. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Live from Pahrump: Art Bell, master of the paranormal, makes radio return Monday". Las Vegas Sun. September 13, 2013. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  37. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."R.I.P. Art Bell, king of late-night conspiracy radio". The A.V. Club. April 14, 2018.

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