Lincoln County, Nevada

Lincoln County, Nevada
Lincoln County Courthouse in Pioche
Location in the state of Nevada
Nevada's location in the U.S.
Founded	1861
Seat	Pioche
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	10,637 sq mi (27,550 km²) 10,634 sq mi (27,542 km²) 3 sq mi (8 km²), 0.03%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	5,345 0.4/sq mi (0/km²)
Website	www.lincolncountynv.org/

Cathedral Gorge and Lincoln County near Panaca

Lincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nevada. At the 2010 census, the population was 5,345, an increase since the 2000 census, when the population was 4,165. Its county seat is Pioche.

History

Lincoln County was established in 1866 after Nevada moved its state line eastward and southward at the expense of Utah and Arizona territories. It is named after Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. Original legislation called for the creation of a "Stewart County", after Nevada Senator William M. Stewart, but this was later changed in a substitute bill. Crystal Springs was the county's first seat in 1866, followed by Hiko in 1867, and Pioche in 1871.

Lincoln County initially included the town of Las Vegas. However, Clark County, Nevada, including Las Vegas, was separated from Lincoln County effective July 1, 1908, by act of the Nevada Legislature.

Area 51 is in Lincoln County, and the county sheriff acts in proxy for the perimeter security forces.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 10,637 square miles (27,549 km²), of which 10,634 square miles (27,541 km²) is land and 3 square miles (8 km²) (0.03%) is water. While only the third largest county by area in the State of Nevada, it is seventh largest county in area in the entire United States, not including boroughs and census areas in Alaska.

Major highways

• U.S. Route 93
• State Route 318
• State Route 319
• State Route 375

Adjacent counties

• White Pine County - north
• Nye County - west
• Clark County - south
• Mohave County, Arizona - southeast
• Washington County, Utah - east
• Iron County, Utah - east
• Beaver County, Utah - east
• Millard County, Utah - northeast

National protected areas

• Desert National Wildlife Refuge (part)
• Humboldt National Forest (part)
• Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge

Education

Public schools in Lincoln County are under the Lincoln County School District. The schools are:

• Pioche Elementary School
• Caliente Elementary School
• Pahranagat Valley Elementary School
• Panaca Elementary School
• Meadow Valley Middle School
• Pahranagat Valley Middle School
• Lincoln County High School
• C. O. Bastian High School
• Pahranagat Valley High School

Lincoln County School District along with Coyote Springs developers are planning large numbers of new schools within development which will double the growth of Lincoln County School District over 50 built out of the new city.^{[citation needed]}

Demographics

At the 2010 census, the population was 5,345.

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,165 people, 1,540 households, and 1,010 families residing in the county. The population density was less than one person per square mile (and thus less than 1/km²). There were 2,178 housing units at an average density of 0 per square mile (0/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.50% White, 1.78% Black or African American, 1.75% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.69% from other races, and 1.92% from two or more races. 5.31% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

According to the 2000 census the five largest ancestry groups in Lincoln County are English (21%), German (18%), Irish (11%), Mexican (4%) and Italian (4%).

There were 1,540 households out of which 29.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.20% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.40% were non-families. 31.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the county the population was spread out with 30.10% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 21.90% from 25 to 44, 25.90% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 107.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,979, and the median income for a family was $45,588. Males had a median income of $40,048 versus $23,571 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,326. About 11.50% of families and 16.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.60% of those under age 18 and 17.40% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

A sign on U.S. Route 93 in Lincoln County

• Pioche (county seat)
• Caliente
• Carp
• Hiko
• Panaca
• Rachel
• Alamo
• Ash Springs
• Ursine
• Barclay
• Elgin
• Pony Springs

Planned developments

• Coyote Springs -- a proposed community for 240,000 people.

See also

• Fortification Range Wilderness
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Lincoln County, Nevada
• South Egan Range Wilderness
• Weepah Spring Wilderness

External links

• Official Website for Lincoln County, NV
• Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce
• Lincoln County Regional Development Authority