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Lyon County, Nevada

Coordinates: 39°01′N 119°11′W / 39.01°N 119.19°W / 39.01; -119.19
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Lyon County
County
Lyon County Courthouse in Yerington
Lyon County Courthouse in Yerington
Flag of Lyon County
Flag
Official logo of Lyon County
Logo
Map of Nevada highlighting Lyon 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°01′N 119°11′W / 39.01°N 119.19°W / 39.01; -119.19
Country United States
State Nevada
Founded1861; 163 years ago (1861)
Named forNathaniel Lyon
SeatYerington
Largest cityFernley
Area
 • Total
2,024 sq mi (5,240 km2)
 • Land2,001 sq mi (5,180 km2)
 • Water23 sq mi (60 km2)  1.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
59,235
 • Density29/sq mi (11/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional districts2nd, 4th
Websitelyon-county.org
Ruins at Fort Churchill State Historic Park
Dini's Lucky Club in Yerington

Lyon County is a county in the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2020 census, the population was 59,235.[1] Lyon County comprises the Fernley, NV Micropolitan Statistical Area which is part of the Reno-Carson City-Fernley, NV Combined Statistical Area.

History

[edit]

Lyon County was one of the nine original counties created on November 25, 1861.[2] It was named after Nathaniel Lyon, the first Union General to be killed in the Civil War.[3] Its first county seat was established at Dayton on November 29, 1861,[4] which had just changed its name from Nevada City in 1862, and which had been called Chinatown before that. After the Dayton Court House burned down in 1909, the seat was moved to Yerington in 1911. There were stories that it was named for Captain Robert Lyon, a survivor of the Pyramid Lake War in 1860, but Nevada State Archives staff discovered a county seal with the picture of the Civil War general, settling the conflict.[5]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,024 square miles (5,240 km2), of which 2,001 square miles (5,180 km2) is land and 23 square miles (60 km2) (1.1%) is water.[6] It is the fourth-smallest county in Nevada by area. The highest point is approximately 10,565 feet (3,220 m) on the northeast ridge of Middle Sister, the peak of which is located in adjacent Mono County, California, while the highest independent mountain completely within Lyon County is the nearby East Sister. The most topographically prominent peak in Lyon County is Bald Mountain.

Part of the Toiyabe National Forest is located within Lyon County.

Major highways

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Adjacent counties and city

[edit]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18701,837—
18802,40931.1%
18901,987−17.5%
19002,26814.1%
19103,56857.3%
19204,07814.3%
19303,810−6.6%
19404,0767.0%
19503,679−9.7%
19606,14367.0%
19708,22133.8%
198013,59465.4%
199020,00147.1%
200034,50172.5%
201051,98050.7%
202059,23514.0%
2023 (est.)62,583[7]5.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[8][failed verification]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2018[1]

2000 census

[edit]

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 34,501 people, 13,007 households, and 9,443 families living in the county. The population density was 17 people per square mile (6.6 people/km2). There were 14,279 housing units at an average density of 7 units per square mile (2.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.62% White, 0.65% Black or African American, 2.45% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 4.59% from other races, and 2.94% from two or more races. 10.97% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 13,007 households, out of which 33.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.40% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. 21.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.10% under the age of 18, 6.60% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 25.20% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,699, and the median income for a family was $44,887. Males had a median income of $34,034 versus $25,914 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,543. About 7.20% of families and 10.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.10% of those under age 18 and 7.10% of those age 65 or over.

From 2000 until 2008, Lyon County was one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States.[13] However, its growth rate collapsed during 2008.[14]

2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 51,980 people, 19,808 households, and 14,137 families living in the county.[15] The population density was 26.0 inhabitants per square mile (10.0/km2). There were 22,547 housing units at an average density of 11.3 units per square mile (4.4 units/km2).[16] The racial makeup of the county was 85.0% white, 2.5% American Indian, 1.4% Asian, 0.8% black or African American, 0.3% Pacific islander, 6.4% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 14.8% of the population.[15] In terms of ancestry, 20.0% were German, 18.5% were English, 15.5% were Irish, 5.9% were Italian, and 5.3% were American.[17]

Of the 19,808 households, 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.6% were non-families, and 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.02. The median age was 40.9 years.[15]

The median income for a household in the county was $48,433 and the median income for a family was $56,106. Males had a median income of $45,319 versus $31,536 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,041. About 8.7% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.9% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.[18]

Communities

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"Republic of Molossia", near Dayton

Cities

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Census-designated places

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Other unincorporated places

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  • Argo
  • Artesia
  • Bucklands Station
  • Cambridge
  • Churchhill
  • Como
  • Davis Station
  • Greenville
  • Hoye
  • Hudson
  • Johntown
  • Ludwig
  • Lux
  • Marshland
  • Mason
  • Mound House
  • Nordyke
  • Palmyra
  • Pine Grove
  • Ramsey
  • Rapids City
  • Rockland
  • Simpson
  • Stone Cabin
  • Sutro
  • Sweetwater
  • Thompson
  • Tippecanoe
  • Twin Flat
  • Wabuska
  • Walker River
  • Weeks
  • Wellington
  • Willington Springs
  • Wichman

Politics

[edit]

Although not so historically Republican as neighboring Douglas County, Lyon is nonetheless a powerfully Republican county. The last Democrat to carry the county was Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1940 – the county was one of three in Nevada to vote for Barry Goldwater in 1964 – and Jimmy Carter in 1976 is the last Democrat to pass forty percent of Lyon County's vote.

An advisory question about Lyon County's legal brothels was put on the 2018 ballot. "Lyon County Question 1" asked whether or not voters wanted to rescind Title 3, Chapter 5, which is the Lyon County Brothel Ordinance. Out of 20,674 votes cast, 4,031 voted to have it rescinded, and 16,643 voted to keep the brothels open in Lyon County.[19]

United States presidential election results for Lyon County, Nevada[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 23,861 71.14% 8,954 26.70% 726 2.16%
2020 20,914 69.16% 8,473 28.02% 851 2.81%
2016 16,005 67.36% 6,146 25.86% 1,611 6.78%
2012 13,520 62.99% 7,380 34.38% 565 2.63%
2008 12,154 57.59% 8,405 39.83% 544 2.58%
2004 11,136 64.93% 5,637 32.87% 378 2.20%
2000 7,270 60.62% 3,955 32.98% 767 6.40%
1996 4,753 49.01% 3,419 35.25% 1,527 15.74%
1992 3,509 38.12% 2,777 30.17% 2,918 31.70%
1988 4,390 62.83% 2,301 32.93% 296 4.24%
1984 4,320 69.94% 1,673 27.08% 184 2.98%
1980 3,709 67.98% 1,288 23.61% 459 8.41%
1976 2,068 49.69% 1,866 44.83% 228 5.48%
1972 2,813 74.58% 959 25.42% 0 0.00%
1968 1,616 53.88% 939 31.31% 444 14.80%
1964 1,397 51.28% 1,327 48.72% 0 0.00%
1960 1,494 59.69% 1,009 40.31% 0 0.00%
1956 1,697 68.48% 781 31.52% 0 0.00%
1952 1,453 71.61% 576 28.39% 0 0.00%
1948 967 59.22% 629 38.52% 37 2.27%
1944 895 55.83% 708 44.17% 0 0.00%
1940 963 47.44% 1,067 52.56% 0 0.00%
1936 487 28.82% 1,203 71.18% 0 0.00%
1932 456 31.69% 983 68.31% 0 0.00%
1928 927 56.84% 704 43.16% 0 0.00%
1924 618 47.43% 231 17.73% 454 34.84%
1920 945 67.12% 344 24.43% 119 8.45%
1916 669 40.92% 769 47.03% 197 12.05%
1912 136 11.64% 438 37.50% 594 50.86%
1908 458 50.05% 364 39.78% 93 10.16%
1904 392 67.82% 164 28.37% 22 3.81%

Education

[edit]

Lyon County has sixteen schools provided by the Lyon County School District.

Transportation

[edit]

Air

[edit]

There are three public airports in Lyon County:

  • Yerington Municipal Airport, with a 5,800-foot-long runway.
  • Silver Springs Airport, with a 7,200-foot-long runway capable of accepting 737s (its runway lights are visible when driving down on Fir Street from Ramsey Weeks cut-off to 95A).
  • Tiger Field on US 95A about three miles from Fernley, with a gravel runway of 2,750 feet and a paved runway of 5,600 feet.

Railroads

[edit]

The Central Pacific (the first transcontinental railroad) ran through the county, although a portion of the original route has been shifted for a new route south of Wadsworth in favor of Fernley. The Central Pacific later became the Southern Pacific Railroad which was merged into Union Pacific in 1996.

The Virginia and Truckee Railroad runs through Mound House in western Lyon County, on its way from Carson City to Virginia City.

The narrow-gauge Carson and Colorado Railroad had its terminus in Mound House, where it intersected with the V&T. It traveled east through Dayton, then turned south to the Mason Valley, and east again on its way to Walker Lake. Later a branch line connected the C&C to the Southern Pacific at Hazen. While the line west of Silver Springs was removed, the line from Hazen to Walker Lake (now standard gauge) is still in place, and used several times each week by the Union Pacific to service the NV Energy Fort Churchill Generating Station, near Yerington.

The Eagle Salt Works Railroad ran for 13.5 miles, primarily on the original Central Pacific grade from Luva (two miles east of Fernley) to Eagle Salt Works Railroad.

The Nevada Copper Belt Railroad ran on the west side of the Mason Valley.

Train

[edit]

Amtrak's California Zephyr passenger train passes through, but does not stop in Lyon County. The nearest Amtrak passenger stations are located in Reno and Winnemucca. The California Zephyr runs from the San Francisco Bay Area to Chicago via Salt Lake City, Denver and Omaha.

Entertainment

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Prostitution is licensed and legalized in Lyon county. There are several open ranches, including:

All are located in Mound House, which is on US Highway 50 adjacent to the line dividing Lyon and Carson City counties.

Several gambling casinos are located in various parts of Lyon County, as are numerous restaurants, clubs, saloons, etc.

See also

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Notes

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References

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  1. ^ a b "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Lyon County, NV". United States Census Bureau QuickFacts. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  2. ^ "Creation of Nevada's Counties". Nevada Association of Counties. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 193. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
  4. ^ Laws of the Territory of Nevada passed at the first regular session of the Legislative Assembly. San Francisco, CA: Valentine & Co. 1862. pp. 289–291. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
  5. ^ "Lyon got its name where?". Mason Valley News. Yerington, Nevada. March 12, 1993. p. 50. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  7. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. ^ Les Christie, CNNMoney staff writer (March 16, 2006). "100 fastest growing counties - Mar. 16, 2006". Money.cnn.com. Retrieved January 1, 2016. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  14. ^ "County Intercensal Tables: 2000-2010". United States Census. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  17. ^ "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.
  18. ^ "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.
  19. ^ "Lyon County Question 1 Votes Are In.... | Nevada Brothels". Nevada Brothels. November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  20. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
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39°01′N 119°11′W / 39.01°N 119.19°W / 39.01; -119.19

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