Lyon County, Nevada

Lyon County is a county in the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2010 census, the population was 51,980.[1] Its county seat is Yerington.[2] Lyon County includes the Fernley, NV Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the Reno-Carson City-Fernley, NV Combined Statistical Area.

Lyon County
County
Lyon County
Flag
Location within the U.S. state of Nevada
Nevada's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°01′N 119°11′W
Country United States
State Nevada
Founded1861 (1861)
Named forNathaniel Lyon
SeatYerington
Largest cityFernley
Area
 • Total2,024 sq mi (5,240 km2)
 • Land2,001 sq mi (5,180 km2)
 • Water23 sq mi (60 km2)  1.1%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total51,980
 • Estimate 
(2019)
57,510
 • Density26/sq mi (9.9/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

History

Lyon County was one of the nine original counties created on November 25, 1861.[3] It was named after Nathaniel Lyon, the first Union General to be killed in the Civil War.[4] Its first county seat was established at Dayton on November 29, 1861,[5] 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.[6]

Geography

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.[7] 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

Adjacent counties and city

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
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%
2019 (est.)57,510[8]10.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2018[1]

2000 census

As of the census[13] 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 (7/km2). There were 14,279 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile (3/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.[14] However, its growth rate collapsed during 2008.[15]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 51,980 people, 19,808 households, and 14,137 families living in the county.[16] 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 per square mile (4.4/km2).[17] 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.[16] 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.[18]

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.[16]

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.[19]

Communities
"Republic of Molossia", near Dayton

Cities

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated places
  • 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
  • Walker River
  • Weeks
  • Wellington
  • Willington Springs
  • Wichman

Politics

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.[20]

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 69.2% 20,914 28.0% 8,473 2.8% 851
2016 67.4% 16,005 25.9% 6,146 6.8% 1,611
2012 63.0% 13,520 34.4% 7,380 2.6% 565
2008 57.6% 12,154 39.8% 8,405 2.6% 544
2004 64.9% 11,136 32.9% 5,637 2.2% 378
2000 60.6% 7,270 33.0% 3,955 6.4% 767
1996 49.0% 4,753 35.3% 3,419 15.7% 1,527
1992 38.1% 3,509 30.2% 2,777 31.7% 2,918
1988 62.8% 4,390 32.9% 2,301 4.2% 296
1984 69.9% 4,320 27.1% 1,673 3.0% 184
1980 68.0% 3,709 23.6% 1,288 8.4% 459
1976 49.7% 2,068 44.8% 1,866 5.5% 228
1972 74.6% 2,813 25.4% 959
1968 53.9% 1,616 31.3% 939 14.8% 444
1964 51.3% 1,397 48.7% 1,327
1960 59.7% 1,494 40.3% 1,009
1956 68.5% 1,697 31.5% 781
1952 71.6% 1,453 28.4% 576
1948 59.2% 967 38.5% 629 2.3% 37
1944 55.8% 895 44.2% 708
1940 47.4% 963 52.6% 1,067
1936 28.8% 487 71.2% 1,203
1932 31.7% 456 68.3% 983
1928 56.8% 927 43.2% 704
1924 47.4% 618 17.7% 231 34.8% 454
1920 67.1% 945 24.4% 344 8.5% 119
1916 40.9% 669 47.0% 769 12.1% 197
1912 11.6% 136 37.5% 438 50.9% 594[lower-alpha 1]
1908 50.1% 458 39.8% 364 10.2% 93
1904 67.8% 392 28.4% 164 3.8% 22

Education

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

Transportation

Air

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

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

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

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

Notes
  1. The leading “other’ candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 355 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 239 votes.

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  2. "County Explorer". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Creation of Nevada's Counties". Nevada Association of Counties. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  4. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 193. Retrieved 2016-01-01.
  5. 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.
  6. "Lyon got its name where?". Mason Valley News. Yerington, Nevada. 12 March 1993. p. 50. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  8. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. Les Christie, CNNMoney staff writer (March 16, 2006). "100 fastest growing counties - Mar. 16, 2006". Money.cnn.com. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
  15. "County Intercensal Tables: 2000-2010". United States Census. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  16. "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.
  17. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  18. "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.
  19. "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.
  20. "Lyon County Question 1 Votes Are In.... | Nevada Brothels". Nevada Brothels. November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  21. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 12, 2018.

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