Lincoln County, Nevada

{{Infobox U.S. county

| county = Lincoln County

| state = Nevada

| flag = Flag of Lincoln County, Nevada.svg

| seal = Seal of Lincoln County, Nevada.svg

| founded year = {{Start date and age|1866}}

| founded date =

| named for = Abraham Lincoln

| type = County

| seat wl = Pioche

| largest city wl = Caliente

| area_total_sq_mi = 10637

| area_land_sq_mi = 10633

| area_water_sq_mi = 3.8

| area percentage = 0.04

| population_as_of = 2020

| population_total = 4499

| pop_est_as_of = 2024

| population_est = 4345 {{loss}}

| density_sq_mi = auto

| district = 4th

| time zone = Pacific

| web = http://lincolncountynv.org/

| ex image = Lincoln County Courthouse in Pioche.jpg

| ex image size = 250

| ex image cap = Lincoln County Courthouse in Pioche }}

File:Cathedral Gorge.jpg

Lincoln County is a county in the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,499,{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/map/lincolncountynevada,US/POP010220}} making it the fourth-least populous county in Nevada. Its county seat is Pioche.{{cite web|url=http://explorer.naco.org/|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=County Explorer|publisher=National Association of Counties}} Like many counties in Nevada, it is dry and sparsely populated, though notable for containing the Area 51 government Air Force base.

History

Lincoln County was established in 1866 after Congress enlarged Nevada by moving its state line eastward and southward at the expense of Utah and Arizona territories.{{cite web|url=http://lincolncountynevada.com/discovering/history/|title=History|publisher=Lincoln County Nevada|date=2014|access-date=December 21, 2014}} It is named after Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States.{{cite book|last=Gannett|first=Henry|title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ|year=1905|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n186 187]|access-date=January 1, 2016}} 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.

In 1870, the county's newspaper, Lincoln County Record, was established.{{cite web |url=https://muckrack.com/media-outlet/lccentral |title=Lincoln County Record |last= |first= |date=February 7, 2025 |work=Muck Rack |publisher= |location=Miami |access-date=February 9, 2025}} Lincoln County initially included a ranch village and railroad siding named Las Vegas. However, that siding, which led to the future city of Las Vegas, was separated from Lincoln County upon the founding of Clark County effective July 1, 1909, by act of the Nevada Legislature.Joseph Nathan Kane, The American Counties (4th Ed.), (The Scarecrow Press, 1983), p479-480

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 an area of {{convert|10637|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|10633|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|3.8|sqmi}} (0.04%) is water.{{cite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_32.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 20, 2014|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}} While only the third-largest county by area in the state of Nevada, it is the seventh-largest county in area in the United States, not including boroughs and census areas in Alaska. The south cliff of Mount Rummel, the summit of which is just north of the county line in White Pine County, contains Lincoln County's highest point, at {{convert|10,640|feet|m}}.{{cite peakbagger |lid=3566 |name=Mount Grafton-South Ridge, Nevada |access-date=January 17, 2015}} The highest independent mountain completely within Lincoln County is Shingle Peak, while the county's most topographically prominent peak is Mormon Peak.

=Major highways=

=Adjacent counties=

White Pine County - north
Millard County, Utah - northeast/Mountain Time Border
Beaver County, Utah - east/Mountain Time Border
Iron County, Utah - east/Mountain Time Border
Washington County, Utah - east/Mountain Time Border
Mohave County, Arizona - southeast/Mountain Time Border
Clark County, Nevada - south
Nye County, Nevada - west

=National protected areas=

Lincoln County contains 16 official wilderness areas that are part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. All are managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Several extend into neighboring counties (as indicated below).

Big Rocks Wilderness
Clover Mountains Wilderness
Delamar Mountains Wilderness
Far South Egans Wilderness (partly in Nye County, NV)
Fortification Range Wilderness
Meadow Valley Range Wilderness (partly in Clark County, NV)
Mormon Mountains Wilderness (partly in Clark County, NV)
Mount Grafton Wilderness (mostly in White Pine County, NV)
Mount Irish Wilderness
Parsnip Peak Wilderness
South Egan Range Wilderness (partly in White Pine County, NV; Nye County, NV)
South Pahroc Range Wilderness
Tunnel Spring Wilderness
Weepah Spring Wilderness (partly in Nye County, NV)
White Rock Range Wilderness
Worthington Mountains Wilderness

Demographics

{{US Census population

|1870= 2985

|1880= 2637

|1890= 2466

|1900= 3284

|1910= 3489

|1920= 2287

|1930= 3601

|1940= 4130

|1950= 3837

|1960= 2431

|1970= 2557

|1980= 3732

|1990= 3775

|2000= 4165

|2010= 5345

|2020= 4499

|estyear=2024

|estimate=4345

|estref={{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 15, 2025}}

|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://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |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}} 2010-2020

}}

=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 4,165 people, 1,540 households, and 1,010 families living in the county. The population density was less than one person per square mile (and 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.

=2010 census=

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 5,345 people, 1,988 households, and 1,282 families living in the county.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US32017

|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/20200213014716/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US32017

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}} The population density was {{convert|0.5|PD/sqmi}}. There were 2,730 housing units at an average density of {{convert|0.3|/sqmi}}.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US32017

|access-date=January 21, 2016

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

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213193119/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US32017

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}} The racial makeup of the county was 91.1% white, 2.3% black or African American, 1.1% American Indian, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% Pacific islander, 2.2% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 6.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 39.8% were English, 19.5% were German, 12.4% were Irish, 6.1% were Danish, 5.9% were Dutch, and 1.8% were American.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US32017

|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/20200213030504/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US32017

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}}

Of the 1,988 households, 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.5% were non-families, and 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.16. The median age was 39.9 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $44,695 and the median income for a family was $56,167. Males had a median income of $51,475 versus $26,366 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,148. About 7.5% of families and 10.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.5% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US32017

|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/20200213035049/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US32017

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}}

Education

Public schools in Lincoln County are under the Lincoln County School District.{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st32_nv/schooldistrict_maps/c32017_lincoln/DC20SD_C32017.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Lincoln County, NV|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2024-10-25}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st32_nv/schooldistrict_maps/c32017_lincoln/DC20SD_C32017_SD2MS.txt Text list] 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

Politics

{{PresHead|place=Lincoln County, Nevada|source={{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=April 9, 2018}}}}

{{U.S. SenHead|place=Lincoln County, Nevada|Seat=1|source={{cite news |title=2024 Senate Election (Official Returns) |website=Commonwealth of Nevada by county |date=November 5, 2024 |access-date=December 5, 2024 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-elections/nevada-senate-results}}}}

Before 1968, Lincoln County frequently backed the Democratic Party in presidential elections, with only five elections from 1904 to 1964 not won by a Democratic nominee. The 1968 election began the county's status as a Republican Party stronghold, with no Democrat managing to win 30% of its votes since Jimmy Carter in 1976. The county since then has generally continued further into the Republican party column, with Donald Trump's 2024 performance of over 85% being the best for any Republican yet. In this election the county was second only to Eureka County as the most Republican county in the state of Nevada.

Communities

Image:AlamoNV.2.jpg in Lincoln County]]

=City=

Caliente

=Census-designated places=

=Unincorporated communities=

=Ghost towns=

=Planned development=

Coyote Springs — a proposed community for 240,000 people.

Notable people

Helen J. Stewart, at one time the largest landowner in the county{{cite web|url=http://www.unr.edu/nwhp/bios/women/stewart.htm|title=Helen J. Stewart|publisher=University of Nevada, Reno|access-date=March 9, 2012}}
Land artist Michael Heizer lives in Garden Valley near his last work, City.