Washoe County, Nevada

Washoe County (/ˈwɒʃoʊ/) is a county in the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2020 census, the population was 486,492,[1] making it Nevada's second-most populous county. Its county seat is Reno.[2] Washoe County is included in the Reno, NV Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Washoe County
County
Washoe County Courthouse
Washoe County Courthouse
Official seal of Washoe County
Seal
Map of Nevada highlighting Washoe County
Location within the U.S. state of Nevada
Map of the United States highlighting Nevada
Nevada's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°38′N 119°41′W
Country United States
State Nevada
FoundedNovember 25, 1861 (1861-11-25)
Named forWashoe people
SeatReno
Largest cityReno
Area
 • Total6,542 sq mi (16,940 km2)
 • Land6,302 sq mi (16,320 km2)
 • Water240 sq mi (600 km2)  3.7%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total486,492
 • Estimate 
(2021)[1]
493,392
 • Density74/sq mi (29/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewashoecounty.us

History

Washoe County was created on November 25, 1861, as one of the original nine counties of the Nevada Territory. It is named after the Washoe people who originally inhabited the area. It was consolidated with Roop County in 1864. Washoe City was the first county seat in 1861 and was replaced by Reno in 1871.

In 1911, a small band of Shoshone and Bannock led by Mike Daggett killed four stockmen in Washoe County.[3] A posse was formed, and on February 26, 1911, at the Battle of Kelley Creek, eight of Daggett's band were killed, along with one member of the posse, Ed Hogle.[4] Three children and a woman who survived the battle were captured. The remains of some of the members of the band were repatriated from the Smithsonian Institution to the Fort Hall Idaho Shoshone-Bannock Tribe in 1994.[5]

In 1918, Washoe County elected the first woman elected to the Nevada Legislature, Sadie Hurst, a Republican.[6]

As of 2013, "Washoe County is the first school district in the state to offer Paiute classes," offering an elective course in the Paiute language at Spanish Springs High School[7] and North Valleys High School.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 6,542 square miles (16,940 km2), of which 6,302 square miles (16,320 km2) is land and 240 square miles (620 km2) (3.7%) is water.[8] The highest point in Washoe County is Mount Rose at 10,785 ft (3,287 m), while the most topographically prominent peak is Virginia Peak.

There are two incorporated cities within the county, namely Reno and Sparks. In 2010, there was a ballot question asking whether the Reno city government and the Washoe County government should become one combined governmental body.[9] According to unofficial results the day after the election, 54% of voters approved of the ballot measure to consolidate the governments.[10]

The Truckee Meadows of Washoe County starts at the furthest southern runway of Reno Tahoe International Airport, GPS Coordinates 39.468836,-119.770912 and runs south east. Rattle Snake Mountain at Huffaker Park, follows the span of Steamboat Creek to the southern east end of Washoe County. This is the last of the range/prairie and wild grass water shed from the eastern range of the Reno Tahoe basin.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

National protected areas

Demographics
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2010[11] Pop 2020[12] % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 278,213 287,862 66.02% 60.90%
Black or African American alone (NH) 9,088 11,527 2.16% 2.37%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 5,782 5,790 0.19% 0.19%
Asian alone (NH) 21,288 28,063 5.05% 5.77%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 2,358 3,250 0.23% 0.67%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 673 2,485 0.16% 0.51%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 10,281 23,445 2.44% 4.82%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 93,724 122,204 22.24% 25.12%
Total 421,407 486,492 100.00% 100.00%
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18703,091—
18805,66483.2%
18906,43713.6%
19009,14142.0%
191017,43490.7%
192018,6276.8%
193027,15845.8%
194032,47619.6%
195050,20554.6%
196084,74368.8%
1970121,06842.9%
1980193,62359.9%
1990254,66731.5%
2000339,48633.3%
2010421,40724.1%
2020486,49215.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
1790–1960[14] 1900–1990[15]
1990–2000[16] 2010–2020[1]

2000 census

As of the census[17] of 2000, there were 339,486 people, 132,084 households, and 83,741 families living in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile (21 people/km2). There were 143,908 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile (8.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 80.4% White, 2.1% Black or African American, 1.8% Native American, 4.3% Asian, 0.5% Pacific Islander, 7.7% from other races, and 3.3% from two or more races. 16.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 132,084 households, out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.60% were non-families. 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.9% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.8 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $45,815, and the median income for a family was $54,283. Males had a median income of $36,226 versus $27,953 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,277. About 6.7% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.2% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 421,407 people, 163,445 households, and 102,768 families living in the county.[18] The population density was 66.9 inhabitants per square mile (25.8/km2). There were 184,841 housing units at an average density of 29.3 per square mile (11.3/km2).[19] The racial makeup of the county was 76.9% white, 5.2% Asian, 2.3% black or African American, 1.7% American Indian, 0.6% Pacific islander, 9.5% from other races, and 3.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 22.2% of the population.[18] In terms of ancestry, 16.9% were German, 13.1% were Irish, 11.8% were English, 7.2% were Italian, and 4.7% were American.[20]

Of the 163,445 households, 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.6% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.1% were non-families, and 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.11. The median age was 37.0 years.[18]

The median income for a household in the county was $55,658 and the median income for a family was $67,428. Males had a median income of $46,653 versus $35,559 for females. The per capita income for the county was $29,687. About 8.5% of families and 12.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.0% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.[21]

2016

The Demographics of Washoe County covers 6,540.4 square miles. There are approximately 42,154 households in the unincorporated areas with an estimated population of 419,948. The average household size in 2007 was estimated at 2.70.[22] The Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District is charged with fire protection and emergency services in the unincorporated areas of the county.

Politics
United States presidential election results for Washoe County, Nevada[23][24]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 116,760 46.31% 128,128 50.82% 7,254 2.88%
2016 94,758 45.14% 97,379 46.39% 17,772 8.47%
2012 88,453 47.09% 95,409 50.79% 3,993 2.13%
2008 76,880 42.61% 99,671 55.25% 3,863 2.14%
2004 81,545 51.26% 74,841 47.05% 2,693 1.69%
2000 63,640 52.04% 52,097 42.60% 6,564 5.37%
1996 49,477 45.28% 44,915 41.11% 14,874 13.61%
1992 42,636 37.18% 39,500 34.45% 32,535 28.37%
1988 52,654 59.34% 32,902 37.08% 3,172 3.57%
1984 50,418 67.67% 22,321 29.96% 1,772 2.38%
1980 41,276 63.54% 15,621 24.05% 8,059 12.41%
1976 29,264 54.98% 21,687 40.74% 2,276 4.28%
1972 33,539 66.22% 17,106 33.78% 0 0.00%
1968 23,492 54.65% 14,560 33.87% 4,936 11.48%
1964 18,350 47.64% 20,170 52.36% 0 0.00%
1960 18,833 55.21% 15,280 44.79% 0 0.00%
1956 18,865 66.45% 9,525 33.55% 0 0.00%
1952 19,044 68.18% 8,888 31.82% 0 0.00%
1948 11,323 56.09% 8,365 41.44% 500 2.48%
1944 9,024 51.84% 8,384 48.16% 0 0.00%
1940 8,062 46.59% 9,243 53.41% 0 0.00%
1936 4,358 31.42% 9,514 68.58% 0 0.00%
1932 4,333 34.74% 8,141 65.26% 0 0.00%
1928 5,767 59.34% 3,952 40.66% 0 0.00%
1924 3,549 45.70% 1,669 21.49% 2,548 32.81%
1920 4,189 61.02% 2,357 34.33% 319 4.65%
1916 3,225 45.44% 3,341 47.07% 532 7.50%
1912 644 17.88% 1,446 40.14% 1,512 41.98%
1908 2,053 50.01% 1,745 42.51% 307 7.48%
1904 1,517 59.44% 721 28.25% 314 12.30%
1900 919 47.77% 1,005 52.23% 0 0.00%
1896 513 33.68% 1,010 66.32% 0 0.00%
1892 530 32.56% 235 14.43% 863 53.01%
1888 902 57.42% 655 41.69% 14 0.89%
1884 716 59.22% 493 40.78% 0 0.00%
1880 755 47.69% 828 52.31% 0 0.00%

Washoe County was a Republican stronghold throughout the late twentieth century, having only voted for the Democratic candidate once between 1944 and 2004 (in the 1964 Democratic landslide). Since the 1990s, it has become more competitive, going from a 22-point win for George H. W. Bush in 1988 to only a three-point win for Bush in 1992. From 1996 to 2004, the Republican candidate tallied a margin greater than four points. Barack Obama won it by a 12-point margin in 2008, and since then, it has always voted Democratic in presidential elections, albeit by relatively narrow margins. However, Republicans still hold the majority of the county's seats in the state legislature. Democratic strength is concentrated in Reno and Sparks, while the rest of the county is much more Republican.

The county is governed by an elected five-member Board of County Commissioners and an appointed county manager.[25] The commissioners serve staggered four-year terms - three are elected during midterm elections and two during presidential elections.

Washoe County Board of County Commissioners[26]
District Commissioner Party First elected Last elected Notes
1 Alexis Hill Democratic 2020 2020 Chair
2 Michael Clark Republican 2022 2022
3 Mariluz Garcia Democratic 2022 2022
4 Clara Andriola Republican 20231) N/A
5 Jeanne Herman Republican 2014 2022 Vice-chair

1) Appointed by Governor Joe Lombardo.

Nevada Senate districts
  • 13th (central Reno and Sparks)
  • 14th (northern Washoe County)
  • 15th (Cold Springs, Mogul, Verdi)
  • 16th (Incline Village, Washoe Valley)

Communities
Ranching in Washoe County

Cities

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities and ghost towns

Education

Washoe County School District is the school district for the entire county.[27]

The Bureau of Indian Education-contracted Pyramid Lake Schools is in Nixon.

There is a charter school, Coral Academy of Science; and these private schools: Bishop Manogue High School and Excel Christian School.

University of Nevada, Reno is in Reno.

Washoe County Library System is the public library system.

Notable Residents

Jeremy Renner - Hollywood Actor

See also

References
  1. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Washoe County, Nevada". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  2. "County Explorer". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. James Shown. "America's Last Indian Battle". Winnemucca, NV. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  4. "Ed Hogle memorial". Odmp.org. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  5. "NMNH – Repatriation Office – Reports – Great Basin". Nmnh.si.edu. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  6. "Fact Sheet" (PDF). Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau. November 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 9, 2011. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  7. "Nevada Proud: Students get a chance to learn native language in school". My News 4. KRNV, Reno, NV. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  8. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  9. Voyles, Susan (October 24, 2010). "Combining local governments is questioned on ballot issue". Reno Gazette-Journal. p. 10A.
  10. "Election Results: Nevada". The New York Times. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
  11. "2010 Census Data". United States Census Bureau.
  12. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Washoe County, Nevada". United States Census Bureau.
  13. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  14. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  15. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  16. "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.
  17. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  18. "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.
  19. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  20. "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.
  21. "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.
  22. Diamante, Group (2015). "Standards of Cover, Sierra Fire Protection District". Reno Govt. Diamante Group. Archived from the original on September 19, 2016. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
  23. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  24. The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 1,150 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 362 votes.
  25. "Organization Chart". washoecounty.us. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  26. "Board of County Commissioners". Washoe County, NV. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  27. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Washoe County, NV" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022. - Text list
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