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Douglas County, Nevada
Douglas County Courthouse, Minden, Nevada
Douglas County Courthouse in Minden
Logo of Douglas County, Nevada
Logo
Map of Nevada highlighting Douglas County
Location in the state of Nevada
Map of the U.S
Nevada's location in the U.S.
Founded 1861; 162 years ago (1861)
Named for Stephen A. Douglas
Seat Minden
Largest city Gardnerville Ranchos
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

738 sq mi (1,911 km²)
710 sq mi (1,839 km²)
28 sq mi (73 km²), 3.8
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

49,488
Congressional district 2nd
Time zone Pacific: UTC-8/-7
Website https://www.douglascountynv.gov/

Douglas County is a county in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 49,488.[1] Its county seat is Minden.[2] Douglas County comprises the Gardnerville Ranchos, NV Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the RenoCarson CityFernley, NV Combined Statistical Area.

History[]

The town of Genoa in Douglas County was the first permanent settlement in Nevada. Genoa was settled in 1851 by Mormon traders selling goods to settlers on their way to California. Named for Stephen A. Douglas,[3] famous for his 1860 Presidential campaign and debates with Abraham Lincoln, Douglas County was one of the first nine counties formed in 1861 by the Nevada territorial legislature.

The county seat is Minden, after having been moved from Genoa in 1915.

Various services run by the county include parks, law enforcement, road maintenance, building inspection, and the Minden–Tahoe Airport.

Fire protection and emergency medical services are provided by the Tahoe-Douglas Fire Protection District at the lake and the East Fork Fire Protection District for the rest of the county.

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 738 square miles (1,910 km2), of which 710 square miles (1,800 km2) is land and 28 square miles (73 km2) (3.8%) is water.[4] It is the second-smallest county in Nevada by area. The highest point is East Peak at 9,593 ft (2,924 m), while the most topographically prominent mountain is Mount Siegel.

Douglas County is in western Nevada in the western United States. Stretching from Carson Valley and running up into the Sierra Nevada, the county is bordered on the west by California, and contains about 13.2% of Lake Tahoe, which is split across the two states. Carson City, the state capital, lies to the north, and Lyon County to the east.

Major highways[]

  • US 50 U.S. Route 50
  • US 395 U.S. Route 395
  • Nevada 28 State Route 28
  • Nevada 88 State Route 88
  • Nevada 206 State Route 206
  • Nevada 207 State Route 207
  • Nevada 208 State Route 208
  • Nevada 756 State Route 756
  • Nevada 757 State Route 757
  • Nevada 759 State Route 759
  • Nevada 760 State Route 760

Adjacent counties and city[]

National protected area[]

  • Toiyabe National Forest

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1870 1,215
1880 1,581 30.1%
1890 1,551 −1.9%
1900 1,534 −1.1%
1910 1,895 23.5%
1920 1,825 −3.7%
1930 1,840 0.8%
1940 2,056 11.7%
1950 2,029 −1.3%
1960 3,481 71.6%
1970 6,882 97.7%
1980 19,421 182.2%
1990 27,637 42.3%
2000 41,259 49.3%
2010 46,997 13.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7]
1990–2000[8] 2010–2020[1]

2000 census[]

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 41,259 people, 16,401 households, and 11,890 families living in the county. The population density was 58 people per square mile (22/km2). There were 19,006 housing units at an average density of 27 per square mile (10/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.9% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 1.7% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 2.5% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. 7.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 16,401 households, out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.5% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 20.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.0% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 28.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 102.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.7 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $51,849, and the median income for a family was $57,092. Males had a median income of $40,436 versus $28,762 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,288. About 5.8% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.7% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census[]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 46,997 people, 19,638 households, and 13,519 families living in the county.[10] The population density was 66.2 inhabitants per square mile (25.6 /km2). There were 23,671 housing units at an average density of 33.4 per square mile (12.9 /km2).[11] The racial makeup of the county was 89.6% white, 1.9% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 3.2% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 10.9% of the population.[10] In terms of ancestry, 25.7% were German, 17.5% were English, 14.9% were Irish, 8.0% were Italian, and 4.1% were American.[12]

Of the 19,638 households, 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.2% were non-families, and 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.80. The median age was 47.4 years.[10]

The median income for a household in the county was $60,721 and the median income for a family was $73,543. Males had a median income of $52,001 versus $39,825 for females. The per capita income for the county was $35,239. About 5.4% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.8% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.[13]

Communities[]

Census-designated places[]

There are no incorporated towns or cities in Douglas County. The following communities are census-designated places, meaning population and demographic data is available from the U.S. Census Bureau for each one:

  • Carter Springs
  • Double Spring
  • East Valley
  • Fish Springs
  • Gardnerville
  • Gardnerville Ranchos
  • Genoa
  • Glenbrook
  • Indian Hills
  • Johnson Lane
  • Kingsbury
  • Lakeridge
  • Logan Creek
  • Minden (county seat)
  • Round Hill Village
  • Ruhenstroth
  • Skyland
  • Stateline
  • Topaz Lake
  • Topaz Ranch Estates
  • Zephyr Cove

Unincorporated communities[]

  • Centerville
  • Dresslerville
  • Holbrook Junction
  • Mottsville
  • Sheridan

Politics[]

Historically Douglas was the most Republican county in Nevada, a state that tended to lean Democratic between the 1890s and 1950s. The last Democrat to carry the county was Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936 during his 48-state landslide over Alf Landon, and even then, he carried Douglas by 15 percent less than his statewide margin. It was the only Nevada county won by Charles Evans Hughes in 1916, and one of only two to vote for Progressive “Bull Moose” ex-President Theodore Roosevelt in 1912. It was also one of only two Nevada counties that voted for incumbent President Benjamin Harrison over insurgent Populist James B. Weaver in 1892 when the latter carried the state by over 40 percentage points. Even when the county did vote Democratic in 1896 and 1900, it was by much smaller margins than the rest of silver-mining Nevada.[14]

The county remains a Republican stronghold, although it now is not quite as heavily Republican as some other rural counties in the state. Apart from FDR's two victories, only two Democrats since 1920 — Lyndon Johnson in 1964 and Barack Obama in 2008 — have won even 40 percent of the county’s vote.

United States presidential election results for Douglas County, Nevada[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 21,630 63.38% 11,571 33.91% 924 2.71%
2016 17,415 62.45% 8,454 30.32% 2,016 7.23%
2012 16,276 62.42% 9,297 35.65% 502 1.93%
2008 14,648 56.55% 10,672 41.20% 584 2.25%
2004 15,192 63.57% 8,275 34.63% 431 1.80%
2000 11,193 62.27% 5,837 32.47% 944 5.25%
1996 8,828 54.83% 5,109 31.73% 2,163 13.43%
1992 6,182 40.82% 3,928 25.94% 5,035 33.25%
1988 7,074 67.02% 3,107 29.44% 374 3.54%
1984 6,385 75.57% 1,877 22.22% 187 2.21%
1980 5,254 71.55% 1,352 18.41% 737 10.04%
1976 3,095 58.60% 1,934 36.61% 253 4.79%
1972 2,898 74.67% 983 25.33% 0 0.00%
1968 1,801 64.37% 670 23.95% 327 11.69%
1964 1,127 52.74% 1,010 47.26% 0 0.00%
1960 1,164 66.48% 587 33.52% 0 0.00%
1956 1,063 80.59% 256 19.41% 0 0.00%
1952 948 84.27% 177 15.73% 0 0.00%
1948 719 69.67% 298 28.88% 15 1.45%
1944 556 66.35% 282 33.65% 0 0.00%
1940 592 64.21% 330 35.79% 0 0.00%
1936 346 42.61% 466 57.39% 0 0.00%
1932 331 45.40% 398 54.60% 0 0.00%
1928 456 71.03% 186 28.97% 0 0.00%
1924 343 59.04% 95 16.35% 143 24.61%
1920 503 76.68% 147 22.41% 6 0.91%
1916 337 48.70% 301 43.50% 54 7.80%
1912 80 19.18% 143 34.29% 194 46.52%
1908 229 54.65% 173 41.29% 17 4.06%
1904 262 68.59% 112 29.32% 8 2.09%
1900 212 49.19% 219 50.81% 0 0.00%
1896 175 39.77% 265 60.23% 0 0.00%
1892 196 49.62% 36 9.11% 163 41.27%
1888 269 64.20% 144 34.37% 6 1.43%
1884 215 56.28% 167 43.72% 0 0.00%
1880 247 47.32% 275 52.68% 0 0.00%



Economy[]

Major employers[]

  • Starbucks roasting plant
  • Patmont Motor Werks
  • Bently Nevada, part of Baker Hughes
  • North Sails
  • TeslaWatt

Education[]

Douglas County's education is managed by the Douglas County School District. It serves for all of Douglas County, having two main areas: Lake Tahoe & the Carson Valley. Douglas High School also serves most of the high school age students from Alpine County, California

Lake Tahoe[]

  • George Whittell High School
  • Zephyr Cove Elementary School

Carson Valley[]

  • Douglas High School
  • Aspire Academy High School
  • Carson Valley Middle School
  • Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School
  • Gardnerville Elementary School
  • Minden Elementary School
  • Jacks Valley Elementary School
  • Piñion Hills Elementary School
  • Gene L. Scarselli Elementary School
  • C.C. Meneley Elementary School

Private schools[]

  • Sierra Lutheran High School
  • Faith Christian Academy
  • Grace Christian Academy

Media[]

  • Carson Valley Times
  • The Record-Courier

In popular culture[]

  • Smokin Aces
  • Charley Varrick
  • The Shootist
  • Misery
  • The Motel Life

See also[]

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Douglas County, Nevada

References[]

  1. ^ a b "United States Census Bureau, Douglas County, Nevada". https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US32005. 
  2. ^ "County Explorer". National Association of Counties. http://explorer.naco.org/. 
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off.. p. 108. https://books.google.com/books?id=9V1IAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA108. 
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/gazetteer2010.html. 
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html. 
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  7. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/nv190090.txt. 
  8. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf. 
  9. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov. 
  10. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US32005. 
  11. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US32005. 
  12. ^ "DP02 Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US32005. 
  13. ^ "DP03 Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US32005. 
  14. ^ Robinson, Edgar Eugene; The Presidential Vote; 1896–1932 (second edition); pp. 268–270 Published 1947 by Stanford University Press
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 

External links[]


Coordinates: 38°55′N 119°37′W / 38.92, -119.61

This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Douglas County, Nevada. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
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