# Lincoln County, Nevada

Lincoln County is a county in the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,499, making it the fourth-least populous county in Nevada. Its county seat is Pioche. 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. It is named after Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. 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. 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.
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 10,637 square miles (27,550 km$^2$), of which 10,633 square miles (27,540 km$^2$) is land and 3.8 square miles (9.8 km$^2$) (0.04%) is water. 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 10,640 feet (3,240 m). The highest independent mountain completely within Lincoln County is Shingle Peak, while the county's most topographically prominent peak is Mormon Peak.

### Major highways

* U.S. Route 93
* State Route 317
* State Route 318
* State Route 319
* State Route 320
* State Route 321
* State Route 322
* State Route 375
* State Route 816

### 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

* Desert National Wildlife Refuge (part)
* Humboldt National Forest (part)
* Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge
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
### 2000 census

As of the census 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/km$^2$). There were 2,178 housing units at an average density of 0 per square mile (0/km$^2$). 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. The population density was 0.5 inhabitants per square mile (0.19/km$^2$). There were 2,730 housing units at an average density of 0.3 per square mile (0.12/km$^2$). 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.
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.

## Education

Public schools in Lincoln County are under the Lincoln County School District. 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

United States presidential election results for Lincoln County, Nevada :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 2,108 | 85.28% | 314 | 12.70% | 50 | 2.02% |
| 2020 | 2,067 | 84.51% | 330 | 13.49% | 49 | 2.00% |
| 2016 | 1,671 | 78.38% | 285 | 13.37% | 176 | 8.26% |
| 2012 | 1,691 | 78.58% | 400 | 18.59% | 61 | 2.83% |
| 2008 | 1,498 | 71.10% | 518 | 24.58% | 91 | 4.32% |
| 2004 | 1,579 | 77.14% | 418 | 20.42% | 50 | 2.44% |
| 2000 | 1,372 | 70.14% | 461 | 23.57% | 123 | 6.29% |
| 1996 | 936 | 52.50% | 499 | 27.99% | 348 | 19.52% |
| 1992 | 890 | 47.93% | 511 | 27.52% | 456 | 24.56% |
| 1988 | 1,035 | 66.18% | 466 | 29.80% | 63 | 4.03% |
| 1984 | 1,175 | 72.71% | 397 | 24.57% | 44 | 2.72% |
| 1980 | 1,087 | 68.54% | 396 | 24.97% | 103 | 6.49% |
| 1976 | 700 | 50.04% | 642 | 45.89% | 57 | 4.07% |
| 1972 | 841 | 68.77% | 382 | 31.23% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 555 | 49.87% | 414 | 37.20% | 144 | 12.94% |
| 1964 | 440 | 35.92% | 785 | 64.08% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 530 | 40.74% | 771 | 59.26% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 885 | 52.43% | 803 | 47.57% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 903 | 48.97% | 941 | 51.03% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 520 | 33.48% | 1,004 | 64.65% | 29 | 1.87% |
| 1944 | 524 | 28.81% | 1,295 | 71.19% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 461 | 22.36% | 1,601 | 77.64% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 254 | 13.42% | 1,639 | 86.58% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 295 | 21.07% | 1,105 | 78.93% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1928 | 553 | 50.50% | 542 | 49.50% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1924 | 200 | 27.10% | 257 | 34.82% | 281 | 38.08% |
| 1920 | 373 | 47.64% | 366 | 46.74% | 44 | 5.62% |
| 1916 | 202 | 22.67% | 634 | 71.16% | 55 | 6.17% |
| 1912 | 100 | 18.28% | 275 | 50.27% | 172 | 31.44% |
| 1908 | 690 | 42.72% | 768 | 47.55% | 157 | 9.72% |
| 1904 | 405 | 53.08% | 295 | 38.66% | 63 | 8.26% |
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
### City

* Caliente

### Census-designated places

* Alamo
* Beaverdam
* Bennett Springs
* Dry Valley
* Hiko
* Mount Wilson
* Panaca
* Pioche (county seat)
* Rachel
* Ursine

### Unincorporated communities

* Ash Springs
* Barclay
* Carp
* Etna

### Ghost towns

* Crystal Springs
* Elgin
* Fay

### 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
* Land artist Michael Heizer lives in Garden Valley near his last work, City.