White Pine County is a largely rural, mountaincounty along the central eastern boundary of theU.S. state ofNevada. As of the2020 census, the population was 9,080.[1] Itscounty seat isEly.[2] The name "(Rocky Mountain) white pine" is an old name for thelimber pine (Pinus flexilis), a common tree in the county's mountains. The county boasts dark skies, clean air and millions of acres of unspoiled public land. It is the home ofGreat Basin National Park, one of America's most remote and least visited national parks. It is also home to no less than 14 federally designated wilderness areas, offering an abundance of terrain available to explore for hikers, backpackers, skiers, hunters and anglers. TheEly Shoshone Indian Reservation is located in the county, on the south side of the City of Ely. The reservation has a land area of 104.99acres (0.4249 km2) and a2000 census official resident population of 133 people.
European settlement in White Pine County began with mining exploration, activity generated by the Pony Express Trail (which passes through the county), and farming.
The county was established by the Nevada legislature in 1869 fromLander County and named after the heavy growth oflimber pine trees in the area, which were then calledwhite pine.Hamilton was the first county seat from 1869 to 1887, when it was replaced byEly after a fire.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 8,897 square miles (23,040 km2), of which 8,876 square miles (22,990 km2) is land and 21 square miles (54 km2) (0.2%) is water.[3]
In the southeastern part of the county withinGreat Basin National Park lies 13,065 ft (3,982 m)Wheeler Peak, the tallest independent mountain within Nevada and the second-highest point within the state (the highest point beingBoundary Peak).[4] It is also the most topographically prominent peak in the county and the second-most prominent peak in Nevada (afterMount Charleston).
White Pine County is home to a number of designatedwilderness areas. They were created by Congress on December 20, 2006, by the "White Pine County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act of 2006."[5] About half are integral parts ofHumboldt National Forest. The rest are managed by theBureau of Land Management. One is shared between the two agencies. Some extend into neighboring counties, as indicated.
U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9] 1990-2000[10] 2010-2020[1]
White Pine County's population grew rapidly in the early part of the 20th Century in response to mining activity, and has remained relatively stable at around 9,500 residents since about 1950. Although mining has been a major employer throughout the county's history, tourism and services related to outdoor recreation are beginning to account for a larger share of jobs in the region.
As of thecensus[11] of 2000, there were 9,181 people, 3,282 households, and 2,159 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 1.0 people per square mile (0.39 people/km2). There were 4,439 housing units at an average density of 0.50 per square mile (0.19/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 86.35%White, 4.14%Black orAfrican American, 3.29%Native American, 0.78%Asian, 0.24%Pacific Islander, 3.09% fromother races, and 2.10% from two or more races. 10.98% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 3,282 households, out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.80% weremarried couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.2% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 128.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 138.5 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,688, and the median income for a family was $44,136. Males had a median income of $36,083 versus $26,425 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $18,309. About 10.3% of families and 11.0% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 11.8% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.
As of the2010 United States census, there were 10,030 people, 3,707 households, and 2,344 families living in the county.[12] The population density was 1.1 inhabitants per square mile (0.42/km2). There were 4,498 housing units at an average density of 0.5 per square mile (0.19/km2).[13] The racial makeup of the county was 85.5% white, 4.2% American Indian, 3.9% black or African American, 1.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 2.8% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 13.2% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 26.9% wereAmerican, 11.3% wereEnglish, 11.2% wereGerman, 10.4% wereIrish, and 5.6% wereItalian.[14]
Of the 3,707 households, 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.8% were non-families, and 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.94. The median age was 40.8 years.[12]
The median income for a household in the county was $48,545 and the median income for a family was $62,946. Males had a median income of $51,010 versus $31,453 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,615. About 11.7% of families and 15.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.6% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.[15]
From the late 19th century until near the end of the 20th century, the major industry wasmining the region's deposits ofcopper,silver, andgold. The most notable of these operations included a series ofopen-pit copper mines near the town ofRuth, and a copper smelter inMcGill, run by theKennecott Utah Copper Corporation. The decline of mining has meant the loss of area jobs.
A swing county for much of the 20th century, White Pine County has become powerfully Republican like the rest of rural Nevada since the 1980s. The last Democrat to carry a majority in the county was Jimmy Carter in 1976. The most recent Democratic win in the county was a 36% plurality byBill Clinton in 1992; Clinton went on to lose the county in 1996 by just 2 votes.Donald Trump received over 70% of the county's vote in2016,2020, and2024. The city of Ely and almost all rural areas of the county reflect the county's overall Republican leaning. The rural district in the southeast part of the county near the Utah border, encompassing Baker and Great Basin National Park, has a slight Democratic leaning, though there are only 118 voters in the area and the Democratic majority only consisted of 4 votes in 2024.[17]
United States presidential election results for White Pine County, Nevada[18][19]
