Lander County was created in 1862. It was one of the 11 counties in Nevada when it became a state in 1864. It was named for Frederick W. Lander, chief engineer of a federal wagon route through the area in 1857. He later served as Special Indian Agent in the area, and died during the Civil War in Virginia in 1862 at the rank of brigadier general. Created in 1862, Lander County sprang forth 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. Eventually, Lander County would be known as the "mother of counties" since three other counties in Nevada were formed from it: Elko, White Pine, and Eureka. Its first county seat was Jacob's Spring in 1862 which was soon after moved to Austin in 1863 and finally Battle Mountain in 1979.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water. The 11,477 ft 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.
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. There were 2,780 housing units at an average density of 0 per square mile. 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 couplesliving 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 agewas 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. There were 2,575 housing units at an average density of. 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
Communities
Lander County has no incorporated communities. The following places are located in Lander County:
