Lander County, Nevada

Lander County
County
Location within the U.S. state of Nevada
Nevada's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°57′N 117°02′W
Country	United States
State	Nevada
Founded	1861
Seat	Battle Mountain
Population  (2000)
• Total	5,794
Website	www.landercounty.com

Lander County is a county located in the state of Nevada. As of 2000, the population is 5,794. Its county seat is Battle Mountain⁶.

History

Lander County was one of the original nine counties created in 1861. Named for Frederick W. Lander; chief engineer of a federal wagon route through the area in 1857. He later served as Special Indian Agent in the area, and died during the Civil War in Virginia in 1862 at the rank of brigadier general. Created in 1862, Lander County sprang forth as the result of a mining boom on the Reese River, along the old pony express line; taking a considerable portion of Churchill and Humboldt counties with it. Eventually, Lander would be known as the "mother of counties" because so many were carved out of it. Its first county seat was Jacobsville in 1862 which was soon after moved to Austin in 1863 and finally Battle Mountain in 1979.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 14,295 km² (5,519 mi²). 14,228 km² (5,494 mi²) of it is land and 67 km² (26 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.47% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 5,794 people, 2,093 households, and 1,523 families residing in the county. The population density is 0/km² (1/mi²). There are 2,780 housing units at an average density of 0/km² (0/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 84.41% White, 0.21% Black or African American, 3.99% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 8.66% from other races, and 2.35% from two or more races. 18.52% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 2,093 households out of which 39.70% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.70% are married couples living together, 8.10% have a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% are non-families. 22.30% of all households are made up of individuals and 5.00% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.73 and the average family size is 3.23.

In the county the population is spread out with 32.20% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 7.00% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 105.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 105.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $46,067, and the median income for a family is $51,538. Males have a median income of $45,375 versus $22,197 for females. The per capita income for the county is $16,998. 12.50% of the population and 8.60% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.50% of those under the age of 18 and 12.90% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Unincorporated communities

• Austin
• Battle Mountain