Humboldt County is a
county
A county is a geographic region of a country used for administrative or other purposes Chambers Dictionary, L. Brookes (ed.), 2005, Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd, Edinburgh in certain modern nations. The term is derived from the Old French ...
in the
U.S. state of
Nevada
Nevada ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, Western region of the United States. It is bordered by Oregon to the northwest, Idaho to the northeast, California to the west, Arizona to the southeast, and Utah to the east. N ...
. As of the
2020 Census, the population was 17,285.
It is a largely rural county that is sparsely populated with the only major city being
Winnemucca which has a population of 8,431. Humboldt County comprises the Winnemucca, NV
Micropolitan Statistical Area and serves as an important crossroads in the national transportation network.
Interstate 80
Interstate 80 (I-80) is an east–west transcontinental freeway that crosses the United States from downtown San Francisco, California, to Teaneck, New Jersey, in the New York metropolitan area. The highway was designated in 1956 as one ...
travels through the southeastern corner of the county, meeting
US 95
US Route 95 (US 95) is a major north–south United States Numbered Highways, US Highway in the western United States. It travels through the states of Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Idaho, staying inland from the Pacific Coast ...
in Winnemucca that serves as a primary freight corridor between Northern Nevada and
Boise, Idaho
Boise (, , ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho and is the county seat of Ada County. On the Boise River in southwestern Idaho, it is east of the Oregon border and north of the Nevada border. The downtown ar ...
and the
Interstate 84 freight corridor that links much of the
Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest (sometimes Cascadia, or simply abbreviated as PNW) is a geographic region in western North America bounded by its coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains to the east. Thou ...
. The original transcontinental railway, constructed by the
Central Pacific Railroad
The Central Pacific Railroad (CPRR) was a rail company chartered by U.S. Congress in 1862 to build a railroad eastwards from Sacramento, California, to complete the western part of the " First transcontinental railroad" in North America. Incor ...
, reached Humboldt County on Sept. 16, 1868. The
Western Pacific Railroad
The Western Pacific Railroad was a Class I railroad in the United States. It was formed in 1903 as an attempt to break the near-monopoly the Southern Pacific Railroad had on rail service into northern California. WP's Feather River Route dire ...
would reach Humboldt County by November 1909, providing two mainline rail links to
California
California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...
and the
Eastern United States. Both railroads have since been acquired by the
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , legally Union Pacific Railroad Company and often called simply Union Pacific, is a freight-hauling railroad that operates 8,300 locomotives over routes in 23 U.S. states west of Chicago and New Orleans. Union Paci ...
, 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
The Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe is a federally recognized tribe of Northern Paiute and Western Shoshone peoples, whose reservation Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribes of the Fort McDermitt Indian Reservation spans the Nevada a ...
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 Thacker Pass Lithium Mine is a proposed lithium clay mining development project in Humboldt County, Nevada which is the largest known lithium deposit in the US, and one of the largest in the world. There has been significant exploration of ...
. 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.
History
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
The Humboldt River is an extensive river drainage system located in north-central Nevada. It extends in a general east-to-west direction from its headwaters in the Jarbidge, Independence, and Ruby Mountains in Elko County, to its terminus in t ...
, which was named by
John C. Frémont
John Charles Frémont or Fremont (January 21, 1813July 13, 1890) was an American explorer, military officer, and politician. He was a U.S. Senator from California and was the first Republican nominee for president of the United States in 1856 ...
, after
Alexander von Humboldt
Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander von Humboldt (14 September 17696 May 1859) was a German polymath, geographer, naturalist, explorer, and proponent of Romantic philosophy and science. He was the younger brother of the Prussian minister ...
, a German naturalist, traveler and statesman.
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.
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".
Geography
According to the
U.S. Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...
, the county has an area of , of which is land and (0.2%) is water.
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 (2966 m)
Granite Peak Mountains named Granite Peak or variations.
Canada
In Canada, according tNRCan CGNDB
United States
In the United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a ...
, is in the range.
The most topographically prominent mountain in Humboldt County is unofficially known as
Dan Dobbins Peak and is in the remote
Jackson Mountains
The Jackson Mountains are a north-northeast trending mountain range in southwestern Humboldt County, Nevada. The range is flanked on the west by the Black Rock Desert and the Black Rock Range beyond. To the north across the Quinn River and Nev ...
.
Adjacent counties
*
Harney County,
Oregon
Oregon () is a U.S. state, state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington (state), Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of it ...
- northwest
*
Malheur County
Malheur County () is one of the 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2020 census, the population was 31,571. Its county seat is Vale, and its largest city is Ontario. The county was named after the Malheur River, which runs ...
,
Oregon
Oregon () is a U.S. state, state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington (state), Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of it ...
- north
*
Owyhee County
Owyhee County ( ) is a county in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,133. The county seat is Murphy, and its largest city is Homedale. In area it is the second-largest county in Ida ...
,
Idaho
Idaho ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. To the north, it shares a small portion of the Canada–United States border with the province of British Columbia. It borders the states of Monta ...
- northeast/Mountain Time Border
*
Elko County
Elko County is a county in the northeastern corner of Nevada, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 53,702. Its county seat is Elko. The county was established on March 5, 1869, from Lander County.
Elko County is the fourth ...
- east
*
Lander County
Lander County is a county in the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,734. Its county seat is Battle Mountain.
History
Lander County was created in 1862 as the result of a mining boom on the Reese River along th ...
- southeast
*
Pershing County
Pershing County is a county in the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,650. Its county seat is Lovelock. The county was named after army general John J. Pershing (1860–1948). It was formed from Humboldt Count ...
- south
*
Washoe County - west
National protected areas
*
(part)
*
Humboldt National Forest Humboldt may refer to:
People
* Alexander von Humboldt, German natural scientist, brother of Wilhelm von Humboldt
* Wilhelm von Humboldt, German linguist, philosopher, and diplomat, brother of Alexander von Humboldt
Fictional characters
* Hu ...
(part)
*
Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge
The Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge is a national wildlife refuge on the northern border of the U.S. state of Nevada. A very small part extends northward into Oregon. It is managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as the Ne ...
(part)
Reservations
The county includes land that is held by
Indian reservations.
Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe
Winnemucca Indian Colony of Nevada
Demographics
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 (1/km
2). There were 6,954 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0/km
2). The
racial makeup
A race is a categorization of humans based on shared physical or social qualities into groups generally viewed as distinct within a given society. The term came into common usage during the 1500s, when it was used to refer to groups of variou ...
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%.
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
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
. 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.
2010 census
At the
2010 census, there were 16,528 people, 6,289 households, and 4,316 families in the county.
The population density was . There were 7,123 housing units at an average density of .
The
racial makeup
A race is a categorization of humans based on shared physical or social qualities into groups generally viewed as distinct within a given society. The term came into common usage during the 1500s, when it was used to refer to groups of variou ...
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.
In terms of ancestry, 15.0% were
English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
** English national ...
, 14.6% were
Irish, 14.1% were
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ge ...
, and 5.1% were
American
American(s) may refer to:
* American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America"
** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America
** American ancestry, pe ...
.
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.
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
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Humboldt County School District
The Humboldt County School District is a public school district serving K−12 education in Humboldt County, Nevada, in the northwestern part of the state.
Its headquarters are in Winnemucca.
History
The district had 1,547 students in the 19 ...
serves all of Humboldt County.
Previously
Crane Union High School
Crane Union High School is a public high school in Crane, Oregon, United States. It is a boarding school that serves students from a large geographic area.
Its district is known as the Harney County Union High School District 1J, and covers much ...
, a boarding high school in Oregon, served portions of the county,
[ ]
Clipping
from Newspapers.com
Ancestry.com LLC is an American genealogy company based in Lehi, Utah. The largest for-profit genealogy company in the world, it operates a network of genealogical, historical records, and related genetic genealogy websites.
In November 2018, ...
. There was an abbreviated version published:
Clipping
from Newspapers.com
Ancestry.com LLC is an American genealogy company based in Lehi, Utah. The largest for-profit genealogy company in the world, it operates a network of genealogical, historical records, and related genetic genealogy websites.
In November 2018, ...
. and it continues to be an option for residents living in
Denio.
[ ]
Clipping of first
an
of second page
at Newspapers.com
Ancestry.com LLC is an American genealogy company based in Lehi, Utah. The largest for-profit genealogy company in the world, it operates a network of genealogical, historical records, and related genetic genealogy websites.
In November 2018, ...
.
Law enforcement
There have been at least two allegations of abuse of civil forfeiture by Humboldt County Sheriff's deputy Lee Dove. Both cases were won by the civilians in question, albeit at great personal expense.
Politics
Economy
Lithium mine
Transportation
Major highways
*
Interstate 80
Interstate 80 (I-80) is an east–west transcontinental freeway that crosses the United States from downtown San Francisco, California, to Teaneck, New Jersey, in the New York metropolitan area. The highway was designated in 1956 as one ...
*
Interstate 80 Business Loop
*
U.S. Route 95
*
State Route 140
*
State Route 289
*
State Route 290
*
State Route 292
*
State Route 293
*
State Route 294
*
State Route 789
*
State Route 794
*
State Route 795
*
State Route 796
Communities
City
*
Winnemucca (county seat)
Census-designated places
*
Denio
*
Fort McDermitt
*
Golconda
Fort (Telugu: గోల్కొండ, romanized: ''Gōlkōnḍa'') is a historic fortress and ruined city located in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It was originally called Mankal. The fort was originally built by Kakatiya ruler Pratāparu ...
*
McDermitt
*
Orovada
*
Paradise Valley
In religion, paradise is a place of exceptional happiness and delight. Paradisiacal notions are often laden with pastoral imagery, and may be cosmogonical or eschatological or both, often compared to the miseries of human civilization: in paradis ...
*
Valmy
Valmy () is a commune in the Marne department in north-eastern France.
Geography
The town stands on the west flank of the Argonne massif, midway between Verdun and Paris, near Vouziers.
History
Valmy provided the setting for the Battle of Val ...
Unincorporated communities
*
Stone House
*
Tule
''Schoenoplectus acutus'' (syn. ''Scirpus acutus, Schoenoplectus lacustris, Scirpus lacustris'' subsp. ''acutus''), called tule , common tule, hardstem tule, tule rush, hardstem bulrush, or viscid bulrush, is a giant species of sedge in the p ...
See also
*
National Register of Historic Places listings in Humboldt County, Nevada
References
External links
*
{{Coord, 41.41, -118.12, display=title, type:adm2nd_region:US-NV_source:UScensus1990
1856 establishments in Utah Territory
Populated places established in 1856
Micropolitan areas of Nevada
Alexander von Humboldt