White Pine County, Nevada
Encyclopedia
White Pine County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Nevada
. Its population at the 2010 census was 10,030. Its county seat
is Ely
. It is the home of Great Basin National Park
. The name "White Pine" is an old name for the Limber Pine
, a common tree in the county's mountains.
and named after the heavy growth of pine trees in the area which were thought to be white pine. Hamilton
was the first county seat from 1869 to 1887 when it was replaced after a fire by Ely
.
, the county has a total area of 8,897 square miles (23,042 km²), of which 8,876 square miles (22,989 km²) is land and 21 square miles (53 km²) (0.23%) 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
.
In the southeastern part of the county is Great Basin National Park
and Wheeler Peak
, the tallest mountain wholly within Nevada.
National protected area
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.
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.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
. Its population at the 2010 census was 10,030. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Ely
Ely, Nevada
Ely is the largest city and county seat of White Pine County, Nevada, United States. Ely was founded as a stagecoach station along the Pony Express and Central Overland Route. Ely's mining boom came later than the other towns along US 50, with the discovery of copper in 1906...
. It is the home of Great Basin National Park
Great Basin National Park
Great Basin National Park is a United States National Park established in 1986, located in east-central Nevada near the Utah border. The park derives its name from the Great Basin, the dry and mountainous region between the Sierra Nevada and the Wasatch Mountains. Topographically, this area is...
. The name "White Pine" is an old name for the Limber Pine
Limber Pine
The Limber Pine, Pinus flexilis, is a species of pine tree-the family Pinaceae that occurs in the mountains of the Western United States, Mexico, and Canada. It is also called Southwestern White Pine and Rocky Mountain White Pine...
, a common tree in the county's mountains.
History
White Pine County was established in 1869 from Lander CountyLander County, Nevada
Lander County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2000 census, the population was 5,794. Its county seat is Battle Mountain.-History:...
and named after the heavy growth of pine trees in the area which were thought to be white pine. Hamilton
Hamilton, Nevada
Hamilton is an abandoned mining town located in the White Pine Range, in western White Pine County, Nevada, USA. The town boomed in 1868 and 1869 following the discovery of rich silver deposits nearby, but the ore deposits proved shallow and by 1870 the region was already in decline...
was the first county seat from 1869 to 1887 when it was replaced after a fire by Ely
Ely, Nevada
Ely is the largest city and county seat of White Pine County, Nevada, United States. Ely was founded as a stagecoach station along the Pony Express and Central Overland Route. Ely's mining boom came later than the other towns along US 50, with the discovery of copper in 1906...
.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the county has a total area of 8,897 square miles (23,042 km²), of which 8,876 square miles (22,989 km²) is land and 21 square miles (53 km²) (0.23%) is water.
Several sections of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is the principal U.S. National Forest located in the U.S. state of Nevada. With an area of , it is the largest National Forest of the United States outside of Alaska...
exist within the county, within the Snake Range
Snake Range
The Snake Range is a line of high mountains in eastern White Pine County, in east-central Nevada in the western United States. Typical of other ranges in the Basin and Range Province, it runs in a north-south direction, in this case for approximately...
, Egan Range
Egan Range
The Egan Range is a line of mountains in White Pine County, in eastern Nevada in the western United States. From Egan Creek near the historic community of Cherry Creek, the range runs south for approximately 108 miles , extending into the northern part of Lincoln County. To the east are the large...
, White Pine Range
White Pine Range
The White Pine Range is a group of mountains in southern White Pine County, in eastern Nevada. The range runs for approximately 51 miles from Beck Pass in the north to Currant Pass in the south. To the west of the range are the Duckwater tribal lands and the northern arm of large Railroad Valley...
, Ruby Mountains
Ruby Mountains
The Ruby Mountains comprise one of the many mountain ranges of the Great Basin in the western United States. They are the predominant range in Elko County, in the northeastern section of the state of Nevada. To the north is Secret Pass and the East Humboldt Range, and from there the Rubies run...
, and Schell Creek Range
Schell Creek Range
The Schell Creek Range is a linear mountain range in central White Pine County, in east-central Nevada. Its length is approximately in a north-south direction....
. The county also contains Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park
Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park
Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park State Park is a Nevada state park in White Pine County, Nevada. Located 20 miles south of the town of Ely, it is in the Eastern Nevada Region of Nevada State Parks....
.
In the southeastern part of the county is Great Basin National Park
Great Basin National Park
Great Basin National Park is a United States National Park established in 1986, located in east-central Nevada near the Utah border. The park derives its name from the Great Basin, the dry and mountainous region between the Sierra Nevada and the Wasatch Mountains. Topographically, this area is...
and Wheeler Peak
Wheeler Peak
Wheeler Peak may refer to the following United States summits:*Wheeler BM, a benchmark Nevada summit north-northwest of Wheeler Pass: *Wheeler Peak *Wheeler Peak , on the Wheeler Crest:...
, the tallest mountain wholly within Nevada.
Wilderness
White Pine County is home to a number of designated wilderness areas. They were created on December 20, 2006, by the "White Pine County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act of 2006."- Bald Mountain WildernessBald Mountain WildernessThe Bald Mountain Wilderness is a wilderness area in White Pine County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. The Wilderness lies within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and is administered by the U.S...
- Becky Peak WildernessBecky Peak WildernessBecky Peak Wilderness is a wilderness area in White Pine County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. Located north of the town of Mcgill, the Wilderness was created by the White Pine County Conservation, Recreation and Development Act of 2006 and is administered by the U.S...
- Bristlecone WildernessBristlecone WildernessBristlecone Wilderness is a wilderness area in White Pine County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. Located in the Egan Range approximately five miles west of the town of Mcgill, the Wilderness was created by the "White Pine County Conservation, Recreation and Development Act of 2006" and is...
- Goshute Canyon WildernessGoshute Canyon WildernessGoshute Canyon Wilderness is a wilderness area in northern White Pine County and southern Elko County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. Located in the Cherry Creek Range north of the town of Mcgill, the Wilderness was created by the "White Pine County Conservation, Recreation and Development Act of...
- Government Peak WildernessGovernment Peak WildernessGovernment Peak Wilderness is a wilderness area in the northern part of the Snake Range of White Pine County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. Located approximately north of the town of Baker, the Wilderness was designated in 2006 and is administered by the U.S...
- High Schells WildernessHigh Schells WildernessThe High Schells Wilderness is a wilderness area in White Pine County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. The Wilderness lies within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and is therefore administered by the U.S...
- Highland Ridge WildernessHighland Ridge WildernessHighland Ridge Wilderness is a wilderness area in the southern part of the Snake Range of White Pine County, just south of Great Basin National Park, in the U.S. state of Nevada. Located approximately south of the town of Baker, the Wilderness was designated in 2006 and is administered by the U.S...
- Mount Grafton WildernessMount Grafton WildernessMount Grafton Wilderness is a wilderness area in southern White Pine County and northern Lincoln County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. The Wilderness lies approximately south of the town of Ely and is administered by the U.S...
- Mount Moriah Wilderness
- Red Mountain WildernessRed Mountain WildernessThe Red Mountain Wilderness is a wilderness area in southwestern White Pine County, within the White Pine Range in the U.S. state of Nevada. The Wilderness lies within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, administered by the U.S...
- Shellback WildernessShellback WildernessShellback Wilderness is a wilderness area in western White Pine County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. The Wilderness lies within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and is therefore administered by the U.S...
- South Egan Range WildernessSouth Egan Range WildernessSouth Egan Range Wilderness is a wilderness area in Lincoln, White Pine, and Nye Counties in the U.S. state of Nevada. Located in the Egan Range approximately two miles east of the town of Lund, the Wilderness was created by the "White Pine County Conservation, Recreation and Development Act of...
- White Pine Range WildernessWhite Pine Range WildernessThe White Pine Range Wilderness is a wilderness area in southwestern White Pine County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.-Geography:The Wilderness lies within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and is therefore administered by the U.S...
.
Adjacent counties
- Elko County, NevadaElko County, Nevada-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 45,291 people, 15,638 households, and 11,493 families residing in the county. The population density was 3/sq mi . There were 18,456 housing units at an average density of 1/sq mi...
- north - Eureka County, NevadaEureka County, NevadaEureka County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2000 census, the population was 1,651. Its county seat is Eureka.Eureka County is part of the Elko Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
- west - Nye County, NevadaNye County, Nevada-National protected areas:* Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge* Death Valley National Park * Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest * Spring Mountains National Recreation Area -Demographics:...
- southwest - Lincoln County, NevadaLincoln County, NevadaLincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2000 census, the population was 4,165. Its county seat is Pioche.-History:...
- south - Millard County, UtahMillard County, UtahMillard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. In 2010, its population was 12,420. It was named for Millard Fillmore, thirteenth President of the United States. Its county seat is Fillmore and the largest city is Delta.-Geography:...
- east - Juab County, UtahJuab County, UtahJuab County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. As of 2000 the population was 8,238, and by 2005 had been estimated at 9,113. It was named from an Indian word meaning thirsty valley, or possibly only valley. Its county seat and largest city is Nephi.Juab County is part of the...
- east - Tooele County, UtahTooele County, UtahTooele County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. As of 2000, the population was 40,735 and by 2005 was estimated at 51,311. Its county seat and largest city is Tooele....
- northeast
National protected areaProtected areaProtected areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognised natural, ecological and/or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the enabling laws of each country or the regulations of the international...
s
- Great Basin National ParkGreat Basin National ParkGreat Basin National Park is a United States National Park established in 1986, located in east-central Nevada near the Utah border. The park derives its name from the Great Basin, the dry and mountainous region between the Sierra Nevada and the Wasatch Mountains. Topographically, this area is...
- Humboldt-Toiyabe National ForestHumboldt-Toiyabe National ForestThe Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is the principal U.S. National Forest located in the U.S. state of Nevada. With an area of , it is the largest National Forest of the United States outside of Alaska...
(part) - Ruby Lake National Wildlife RefugeRuby Lake National Wildlife RefugeThe Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located in southwestern Elko County and northwestern White Pine County in the northeastern section of the state of Nevada in the western United States. Established in 1938, it encompasses 37,632 acres of wetlands in Ruby Valley, just east of the Ruby...
(part)
Economy
From the late nineteenth century until near the end of the twentieth century, the major industry was miningMining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
the region's deposits of copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
, silver
Silver
Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal...
, and gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
. The most notable of these operations included a series of open-pit copper mines
Open-pit mining
Open-pit mining or opencast mining refers to a method of extracting rock or minerals from the earth by their removal from an open pit or borrow....
near the town of Ruth
Ruth, Nevada
Ruth is a small town in White Pine County, Nevada, that was founded in 1903. It is a census-designated place, with a population in 2010 of 440.- History :Ruth began as a settlement for workers of the White Pine Copper Company in 1903...
, and a copper smelter in McGill
McGill, Nevada
McGill is a census-designated place in White Pine County, Nevada, United States. The population was 1,148 at the 2010 census.-Geography:McGill is located at ....
, run by the Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 9,181 people, 3,282 households, and 2,159 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
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
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 4.14% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 3.29% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.78% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.24% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 3.09% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.10% from two or more races. 10.98% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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.
Cities and towns
- BakerBaker, NevadaBaker, Nevada is a small community and census-designated place in White Pine County, Nevada. It is located from Great Basin National Park on State Route 487. The town is named after an early settler, George W. Baker...
- Cherry CreekCherry Creek, NevadaCherry Creek is a historic community located in northern White Pine County, in northeastern Nevada in the western United States. It is a census county division , with a population at the 2010 census of 72....
- Crosstimbers
- East Ely
- ElyEly, NevadaEly is the largest city and county seat of White Pine County, Nevada, United States. Ely was founded as a stagecoach station along the Pony Express and Central Overland Route. Ely's mining boom came later than the other towns along US 50, with the discovery of copper in 1906...
- Lages StationLages Station, NevadaLages Station is a ghost town in White Pine County, in the U.S. state of Nevada....
- LundLund, NevadaLund is a small town and census-designated place in White Pine County, Nevada. Lund was named for Anthon H. Lund. Lund was settled in 1898. It was settled on land that the United States government had given The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in lieu of land that had been confiscated...
- Majors PlaceMajors Place, NevadaMajors Place is a community in White Pine County, Nevada. It includes a gas station and a restaurant....
- McGillMcGill, NevadaMcGill is a census-designated place in White Pine County, Nevada, United States. The population was 1,148 at the 2010 census.-Geography:McGill is located at ....
- Reipetown
- RuthRuth, NevadaRuth is a small town in White Pine County, Nevada, that was founded in 1903. It is a census-designated place, with a population in 2010 of 440.- History :Ruth began as a settlement for workers of the White Pine Copper Company in 1903...
- Schellbourne
- StrawberryStrawberry, NevadaStrawberry is a ghost town in White Pine, in the U.S. state of Nevada. The town was known for its 12,000-tree orchard and huge fields of strawberries. Strawberry is mainly used today as a ranching settlement....
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in White Pine County, Nevada
External links
- "Scientists Voice Their Overwhelming Support for Wilderness Designations in White Pine County, Nevada" by the Wilderness Society