Eureka County, Nevada

Eureka County
Eureka County Court House
Map of Nevada highlighting Eureka County
Location within the U.S. state of Nevada
Map of the United States highlighting Nevada
Nevada's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°59′N 116°16′W / 39.98°N 116.27°W / 39.98; -116.27
Country United States
State Nevada
Founded1873; 151 years ago (1873)
Named forEureka
SeatEureka
Largest communityCrescent Valley
Area
 • Total4,180 sq mi (10,800 km2)
 • Land4,176 sq mi (10,820 km2)
 • Water4.3 sq mi (11 km2)  0.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total1,855
 • Density0.44/sq mi (0.17/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websiteco.eureka.nv.us

Eureka County is a county in the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,855,[1] making it the second-least populous county in Nevada. Its county seat is Eureka.[2]

Eureka County is part of the Elko Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

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Eureka County was established in 1873 and formed from Lander County after silver was discovered more than 100 miles (160 km) east of Austin. The new mining camp's residents complained Austin was too far to go for county business and a new county was created. It was named for the ancient Greek term, Eureka, meaning, "I have found it."[3] This term was used earlier in California and other locations. Eureka has always been the county seat.

Geography

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HVAC transmission towers crossing Crescent Valley east of State Route 306

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 4,180 square miles (10,800 km2), of which 4,176 square miles (10,820 km2) is land and 4.3 square miles (11 km2) (0.1%) is water.[4]

The county's highest point is the 10,631 ft (3,240 m) summit of Diamond Peak in the Diamond Mountains along the border with White Pine County.[5]

Adjacent counties

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National protected area

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Major highways

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18807,086
18903,275−53.8%
19001,954−40.3%
19101,830−6.3%
19201,350−26.2%
19301,333−1.3%
19401,3612.1%
1950896−34.2%
1960767−14.4%
197094823.6%
19801,19826.4%
19901,54729.1%
20001,6516.7%
20101,98720.4%
20201,855−6.6%
2023 (est.)1,917[6]3.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2018[1]

2000 census

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At the 2000 census there were 1,651 people, 666 households, and 440 families living in the county. The population density was 0.39 people per square mile (0.15 people/km2). There were 1,025 housing units at an average density of 0.25 units per square mile (0.097/km2).[11] Of the 666 households 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.50% were married couples living together, 5.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.90% were non-families. 29.10% of households were one person and 9.90% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.08.

The age distribution was 27.80% under the age of 18, 5.20% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 25.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 113.20 males.

The county's median household income was $41,417, and the median family income was $49,438. Males had a median income of $45,167 versus $25,000 for females. The county's per capita income was $18,629. 12.60% of the population and 8.90% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the people living in poverty, 11.70% are under the age of 18 and 16.40% are 65 or older.

2010 census

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At the 2010 census, there were 1,987 people, 836 households, and 495 families living in the county.[12] The population density was 0.5 inhabitants per square mile (0.19/km2). There were 1,076 housing units at an average density of 0.3 units per square mile (0.12 units/km2).[13] The racial makeup of the county was 89.3% white, 2.4% American Indian, 0.9% Asian, 0.1% black or African American, 5.1% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 12.0% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 43.3% were American, 14.8% were German, 11.4% were Irish, 7.3% were English, and 6.9% were Italian.[14]

Of the 836 households, 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples living together, 4.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 40.8% were non-families, and 33.0% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.07. The median age was 42.4 years.[12]

The median household income was $61,400 and the median family income was $75,179. Males had a median income of $54,625 versus $42,321 for females. The per capita income for the county was $30,306. About 9.9% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.6% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.[15]

Communities

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There are no incorporated places in Eureka County.

Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Ghost towns

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Education

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Eureka County School District is the county school district.

Politics

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Background

Eureka County is strongly Republican; the last time they voted for a Democratic candidate was in 1964, and the last time a Democratic candidate received a quarter of the county's vote was in 1988. The last time a Republican candidate failed to receive a majority of the county's vote was in 1992, when the vote was somewhat split when independent candidate Ross Perot recorded approximately a third of the county's vote.

However, due to the county's low population, its heavy Republican voting does not have a large effect on elections in the state, as a majority of Nevada's population live in Democratic-leaning Clark County and Washoe County.

United States presidential election results for Eureka County, Nevada[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 895 88.00% 105 10.32% 17 1.67%
2016 723 84.66% 74 8.67% 57 6.67%
2012 663 82.05% 107 13.24% 38 4.70%
2008 564 75.70% 144 19.33% 37 4.97%
2004 571 77.37% 144 19.51% 23 3.12%
2000 632 75.51% 150 17.92% 55 6.57%
1996 412 59.88% 158 22.97% 118 17.15%
1992 330 47.83% 129 18.70% 231 33.48%
1988 413 70.96% 151 25.95% 18 3.09%
1984 439 75.95% 124 21.45% 15 2.60%
1980 430 76.24% 103 18.26% 31 5.50%
1976 272 58.24% 163 34.90% 32 6.85%
1972 371 72.75% 139 27.25% 0 0.00%
1968 277 56.53% 149 30.41% 64 13.06%
1964 243 46.02% 285 53.98% 0 0.00%
1960 239 51.73% 223 48.27% 0 0.00%
1956 330 64.33% 183 35.67% 0 0.00%
1952 379 70.71% 157 29.29% 0 0.00%
1948 312 51.74% 278 46.10% 13 2.16%
1944 317 59.36% 217 40.64% 0 0.00%
1940 284 44.58% 353 55.42% 0 0.00%
1936 180 31.25% 396 68.75% 0 0.00%
1932 136 26.10% 385 73.90% 0 0.00%
1928 251 49.02% 261 50.98% 0 0.00%
1924 209 50.00% 94 22.49% 115 27.51%
1920 313 63.75% 157 31.98% 21 4.28%
1916 239 45.96% 263 50.58% 18 3.46%
1912 70 16.51% 209 49.29% 145 34.20%
1908 224 46.57% 218 45.32% 39 8.11%
1904 235 62.50% 107 28.46% 34 9.04%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  2. ^ "County Explorer". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 122. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  5. ^ "Diamond Peak, Nevada". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  13. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  14. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  15. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  16. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
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39°59′N 116°16′W / 39.98°N 116.27°W / 39.98; -116.27