# Lander County, Nevada

Lander County is a county in the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,734. Its county seat is Battle Mountain.

## History

Lander County was created in 1862 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. Named for Frederick W. Lander, chief engineer of a federal wagon route and Special Indian Agent in the area, it was one of the original 11 counties of Nevada when statehood was granted in 1864. Its first county seat was Jacob's Spring in 1862, which was moved to Austin in 1863, and finally Battle Mountain in 1979. Eventually, Lander County would be known as the "mother of counties", since three other counties in Nevada were later formed from it: Elko, White Pine, and Eureka.

## Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 5,519 square miles (14,290 km$^2$), of which 5,490 square miles (14,200 km$^2$) is land and 29 square miles (75 km$^2$) (0.5%) is water.
The 11,477 ft (3,498 m) summit of Bunker Hill, located in the Toiyabe Range near the Nye County border, is the highest point in the county; while the county's most topographically prominent peak is Mount Lewis.

### Major highways

* Interstate 80
* Interstate 80 Business (Battle Mountain)
* U.S. Route 50
* State Route 304
* State Route 305
* State Route 306
* State Route 376
* State Route 722
* State Route 806

### Adjacent counties

* Elko County - north
* Eureka County - east
* Nye County - south
* Churchill County - west
* Pershing County - west
* Humboldt County - northwest

### National protected area

* Toiyabe National Forest (part)

## Demographics
### 2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 5,794 people, 2,093 households, and 1,523 families living in the county. The population density was 1 person per square mile (0.39 person/km$^2$). There were 2,780 housing units at an average density of 0 units per square mile (0/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 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 were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 2,093 households 39.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.70% were married couples living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% were non-families. 22.30% of households were one person and 5.00% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.23.
The age distribution was 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% 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 105.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.50 males.
The median household income was $46,067 and the median family income was $51,538. Males had a median income of $45,375 versus $22,197 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,998. About 8.60% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.50% of those under age 18 and 12.90% of those age 65 or over.

### 2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 5,775 people, 2,213 households, and 1,545 families living in the county. The population density was 1.1 inhabitants per square mile (0.42/km$^2$). There were 2,575 housing units at an average density of 0.5 per square mile (0.19/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 84.0% white, 4.2% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 8.6% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 21.1% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 19.4% were German, 13.6% were English, 12.2% were Irish, and 12.0% were American.
Of the 2,213 households, 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.2% were non-families, and 25.6% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.14. The median age was 37.1 years.
The median household income was $66,525 and the median family income was $67,157. Males had a median income of $62,932 versus $33,056 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,287. About 11.7% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.0% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.

## Politics

United States presidential election results for Lander County, Nevada :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 2,180 | 80.00% | 482 | 17.69% | 63 | 2.31% |
| 2020 | 2,198 | 79.49% | 496 | 17.94% | 71 | 2.57% |
| 2016 | 1,828 | 75.76% | 403 | 16.70% | 182 | 7.54% |
| 2012 | 1,580 | 72.98% | 534 | 24.67% | 51 | 2.36% |
| 2008 | 1,466 | 69.74% | 577 | 27.45% | 59 | 2.81% |
| 2004 | 1,602 | 78.03% | 414 | 20.17% | 37 | 1.80% |
| 2000 | 1,619 | 76.40% | 395 | 18.64% | 105 | 4.96% |
| 1996 | 1,107 | 49.98% | 660 | 29.80% | 448 | 20.23% |
| 1992 | 885 | 44.43% | 423 | 21.23% | 684 | 34.34% |
| 1988 | 1,214 | 70.83% | 439 | 25.61% | 61 | 3.56% |
| 1984 | 1,222 | 78.28% | 301 | 19.28% | 38 | 2.43% |
| 1980 | 935 | 65.61% | 361 | 25.33% | 129 | 9.05% |
| 1976 | 561 | 49.96% | 518 | 46.13% | 44 | 3.92% |
| 1972 | 798 | 63.03% | 468 | 36.97% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 461 | 50.72% | 301 | 33.11% | 147 | 16.17% |
| 1964 | 338 | 46.36% | 391 | 53.64% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 383 | 49.48% | 391 | 50.52% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 540 | 65.61% | 283 | 34.39% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 501 | 67.89% | 237 | 32.11% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 397 | 56.39% | 298 | 42.33% | 9 | 1.28% |
| 1944 | 425 | 52.60% | 383 | 47.40% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 393 | 45.28% | 475 | 54.72% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 237 | 28.83% | 585 | 71.17% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 272 | 33.66% | 536 | 66.34% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1928 | 456 | 59.22% | 314 | 40.78% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1924 | 254 | 46.61% | 138 | 25.32% | 153 | 28.07% |
| 1920 | 416 | 58.67% | 254 | 35.83% | 39 | 5.50% |
| 1916 | 321 | 34.48% | 473 | 50.81% | 137 | 14.72% |
| 1912 | 68 | 13.13% | 197 | 38.03% | 253 | 48.84% |
| 1908 | 257 | 44.77% | 276 | 48.08% | 41 | 7.14% |
| 1904 | 227 | 61.85% | 93 | 25.34% | 47 | 12.81% |

## Communities

Lander County has no incorporated communities. The following places are located in Lander County:

### Census-designated places

* Austin
* Battle Mountain (county seat)
* Kingston

### Unincorporated community

* Pittsburg

### Ghost towns

* Clifton
* Galena