Douglas County, Nevada

{{Redirect|Carson Valley|the community in the eastern U.S.|Carson Valley, Pennsylvania}}

{{Infobox U.S. county

| county = Douglas County

| state = Nevada

| type = County

| seal =

| logo = Douglas County, Nevada logo.png

| founded = {{Start date and age|1861}}

| named for = Stephen A. Douglas

| seat wl = Minden

| largest city wl = Gardnerville Ranchos

| area_total_sq_mi = 738

| area_land_sq_mi = 710

| area_water_sq_mi = 28

| area percentage = 3.8

| population_as_of = 2020

| population_total = 49,488

| pop_est_as_of =

| population_est =

| population_density_sq_mi = auto

| district = 2nd

| time zone = Pacific

| web = https://www.douglascountynv.gov/

| ex image = {{multiple image

| border = infobox

| total_width = 300

| perrow = 1/2/1/2

| image1 = Stateline, Nevada.jpg

| image2 = Lake Tahoe, Nevada Beach.jpg

| image3 = Douglas County Courthouse, Minden, Nevada.jpg

| image4 = Downtown Gardnerville, Nevada 06-26-2012.jpg

}}

| ex image cap = From top, left to right: View of Stateline from near Heavenly Mountain Resort. Nevada Beach Campground in Zephyr Cove. Douglas County Courthouse in Minden. Downtown Gardnerville.

|flag=Flag of Douglas County, Nevada.png|flag size=125px}}

Douglas County is a county in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2020 census, the population was 49,488.{{cite web |title=United States Census Bureau, Douglas County, Nevada |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US32005 |archive-date= |access-date=April 5, 2022 |website=United States Census Bureau}} Its county seat is Minden.{{cite web|url=http://explorer.naco.org/|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=County Explorer|publisher=National Association of Counties}} Douglas County comprises the Gardnerville Ranchos, NV Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Reno–Carson City–Fernley, NV Combined Statistical Area.

History

The town of Genoa in Douglas County was the first permanent settlement in Nevada. Genoa was settled in 1851 by Mormon traders selling goods to settlers on their way to California. Named for Stephen A. Douglas,{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9V1IAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA108 | title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States | publisher=Govt. Print. Off. | author=Gannett, Henry | year=1905 | page=108 | access-date=January 1, 2016}} famous for his 1860 Presidential campaign and debates with Abraham Lincoln, Douglas County was one of the first nine counties formed in 1861 by the Nevada territorial legislature.

The county seat is Minden, after having been moved from Genoa in 1915.

Various services run by the county include parks, law enforcement, road maintenance, building inspection, and the Minden–Tahoe Airport.

Fire protection and emergency medical services are provided by the Tahoe-Douglas Fire Protection District at the lake and the East Fork Fire Protection District for the rest of the county.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of {{convert|738|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|710|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|28|sqmi}} (3.8%) is water.{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/gazetteer2010.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 20, 2014|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}} It is the second-smallest county in Nevada by area. The highest point is East Peak at {{convert|9,593|ft|m|abbr=on}}, while the most topographically prominent mountain is Mount Siegel.

Douglas County is in western Nevada in the western United States. Stretching from Carson Valley and running up into the Sierra Nevada, the county is bordered on the west by California, and contains about 13.2% of Lake Tahoe, which is split across the two states. Carson City, the state capital, lies to the north, and Lyon County to the east.

=Adjacent counties and city=

=National protected area=

Toiyabe National Forest

Transportation

Public Transportation With Douglas County is offered by Douglas Area Rural Transit, Tahoe Transportation District and Eastern Sierra Transit{{cite web |title=Douglas Area Rural Transit (DART) Services |url=https://douglascountynv.hosted.civiclive.com/cms/One.aspx?portalId=12493164&pageId=12636533 |website=communityservices.douglascountynv.gov |publisher=Douglas County Community Services |access-date=March 18, 2023}}

=Major highways=

Demographics

{{US Census population

|1870= 1215

|1880= 1581

|1890= 1551

|1900= 1534

|1910= 1895

|1920= 1825

|1930= 1840

|1940= 2056

|1950= 2029

|1960= 3481

|1970= 6882

|1980= 19421

|1990= 27637

|2000= 41259

|2010= 46997

|2020= 49488

|estyear=2023

|estimate=49545

|estref={{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 26, 2024}}

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 20, 2014}}
1790–1960{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=December 20, 2014}} 1900–1990{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/nv190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 20, 2014}}
1990–2000{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 20, 2014}} 2010–2018

}}

=2000 census=

As of the census{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }} of 2000, there were 41,259 people, 16,401 households, and 11,890 families living in the county. The population density was {{convert|58|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people}}. There were 19,006 housing units at an average density of {{convert|27|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 91.9% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 1.7% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 2.5% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. 7.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 16,401 households, out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.5% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 20.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.0% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 28.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 102.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.7 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $51,849, and the median income for a family was $57,092. Males had a median income of $40,436 versus $28,762 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,288. About 5.8% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.7% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

=2010 census=

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 46,997 people, 19,638 households, and 13,519 families living in the county.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US32005

|title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data

|access-date=January 21, 2016

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213023732/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US32005

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}} The population density was {{convert|66.2|PD/sqmi}}. There were 23,671 housing units at an average density of {{convert|33.4|/sqmi}}.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US32005

|access-date=January 21, 2016

|title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213234224/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US32005

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}} The racial makeup of the county was 89.6% white, 1.9% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 3.2% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 10.9% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 25.7% were German, 17.5% were English, 14.9% were Irish, 8.0% were Italian, and 4.1% were American.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US32005

|title=DP02 Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

|access-date=January 21, 2016

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213015215/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US32005

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}}

Of the 19,638 households, 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.2% were non-families, and 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.80. The median age was 47.4 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $60,721 and the median income for a family was $73,543. Males had a median income of $52,001 versus $39,825 for females. The per capita income for the county was $35,239. About 5.4% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.8% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US32005

|title=DP03 Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

|access-date=January 21, 2016

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213012915/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US32005

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}}

Communities

=Census-designated places=

There are no incorporated towns or cities in Douglas County. The following communities are census-designated places, meaning population and demographic data is available from the U.S. Census Bureau for each one:

=Unincorporated communities=

Politics

Historically Douglas was the most Republican county in Nevada, a state that tended to lean Democratic between the 1890s and 1950s. The last Democrat to carry the county was Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936 during his 48-state landslide over Alf Landon, and even then, he carried Douglas by 15 percent less than his statewide margin. It was the only Nevada county won by Charles Evans Hughes in 1916, and one of only two to vote for Progressive “Bull Moose” ex-President Theodore Roosevelt in 1912. It was also one of only two Nevada counties that voted for incumbent President Benjamin Harrison over insurgent Populist James B. Weaver in 1892 when the latter carried the state by over 40 percentage points. Even when the county did vote Democratic in 1896 and 1900, it was by much smaller margins than the rest of silver-mining Nevada.Robinson, Edgar Eugene; The Presidential Vote; 1896–1932 (second edition); pp. 268–270 Published 1947 by Stanford University Press

The county remains a Republican stronghold, although it now is not quite as heavily Republican as some other rural counties in the state. Apart from FDR's two victories, only two Democrats since 1920 — Lyndon Johnson in 1964 and Barack Obama in 2008 — have won even 40 percent of the county's vote. Despite the county's strong Republican bent, residents tend to be somewhat moderate on social issues, with a small majority of county residents voting to legalize gay marriage in 2020.

{{PresHead|place=Douglas County, Nevada|whig=no|source1={{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=April 12, 2018}}}}

Economy

=Major employers=

Education

Douglas County's public K-12 education is managed by the Douglas County School District. It serves all of Douglas County,{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st32_nv/schooldistrict_maps/c32005_douglas/DC20SD_C32005.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Douglas County, NV|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2024-09-26}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st32_nv/schooldistrict_maps/c32005_douglas/DC20SD_C32005_SD2MS.txt Text list] having two main areas: Lake Tahoe & the Carson Valley. Douglas High School also serves most of the high school age students from Alpine County, California

=Lake Tahoe=

George Whittell High School
Zephyr Cove Elementary School

=Carson Valley=

Douglas High School
Aspire Academy High School
Carson Valley Middle School
Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School
Gardnerville Elementary School
Minden Elementary School
Jacks Valley Elementary School
Piñion Hills Elementary School
Gene L. Scarselli Elementary School
C.C. Meneley Elementary School

=Private schools=

Sierra Lutheran High School
Faith Christian Academy
Grace Christian Academy

Media

In popular culture

References

External links

{{Official website|http://douglascountynv.gov/}}
[http://www.recordcourier.com/ The Record Courier] – Local newspaper
[http://visitcarsonvalley.org/ Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Authority]
[http://dcsd.k12.nv.us/ Douglas County School District]
[http://www.carsonvalleyweather.com/ Carson Valley Area Weather]

{{Geographic Location

|Centre = Douglas County, Nevada

|North = City of Carson City

|Northeast =

|East = Lyon County

|Southeast = Mono County, California

|South = Alpine County, California

|Southwest =

|West = El Dorado County, California

|Northwest = Placer County, California

}}

{{Coord|38.92|-119.61|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-NV_source:UScensus1990}}