Pershing County is a county in the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,650. Its county seat is Lovelock. The county is listed as Nevada Historical Marker 17. The marker is at the courthouse in Lovelock.

The Black Rock Desert, location for the annual Burning Man event, is partially in the county.

The county was named after army general John J. Pershing (1860–1948). It was formed from Humboldt County in 1919, and is the last county to be established in Nevada.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 6,067 square miles (15,710 km), of which 6,037 square miles (15,640 km) is land and 31 square miles (80 km) (0.5%) is water. The tallest and most topographically prominent mountain in Pershing County is Star Peak at 9,840 ft (3,000 m).

• Washoe County – west
• Humboldt County – north
• Lander County – east
• Churchill County – south

• Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area (part)

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1920	2,803		—
1930	2,652		−5.4%
1940	2,713		2.3%
1950	3,103		14.4%
1960	3,199		3.1%
1970	2,670		−16.5%
1980	3,408		27.6%
1990	4,336		27.2%
2000	6,693		54.4%
2010	6,753		0.9%
2020	6,650		−1.5%
2023 (est.)	6,364		−4.3%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2018

At the 2000 census there were 6,693 people, 1,962 households, and 1,383 families living in the county. The population density was 1 person per square mile (0.39 person/km). There were 2,389 housing units at an average density of 0.39 units per square mile (0.15/km). The racial makeup of the county was 77.69% White, 5.35% Black or African American, 3.42% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 0.22% Pacific Islander, 9.38% from other races, and 3.30% from two or more races. 19.33% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 1,962 households 38.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.20% were married couples living together, 7.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.50% were non-families. 24.30% of households were one person and 8.60% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.22.

The age distribution was 25.70% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 36.00% from 25 to 44, 22.10% from 45 to 64, and 7.80% 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 158.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 182.10 males.

The median household income was $40,670 and the median family income was $46,268. Males had a median income of $34,417 versus $24,301 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,589. About 10.20% of families and 11.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.20% of those under age 18 and 5.60% of those age 65 or over.

At the 2010 census, there were 6,753 people, 2,018 households, and 1,375 families living in the county. The population density was 1.1 inhabitants per square mile (0.42/km). There were 2,464 housing units at an average density of 0.4 per square mile (0.15/km). The racial makeup of the county was 81.9% white, 3.7% black or African American, 3.2% American Indian, 1.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 6.7% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 22.3% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 19.5% were German, 16.8% were Irish, 13.8% were English, 5.1% were Italian, and 4.4% were American.

Of the 2,018 households, 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.9% were non-families, and 26.6% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.02. The median age was 41.0 years.

The median household income was $56,491 and the median family income was $61,410. Males had a median income of $51,333 versus $28,871 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,519. About 10.2% of families and 13.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.0% of those under age 18 and 2.7% of those age 65 or over.

• Lovelock (county seat)
• Black Rock City (temporary)

• Grass Valley
• Humboldt River Ranch
• Imlay
• Unionville

Many of the following places are considered ghost towns.

United States presidential election results for Pershing County, Nevada

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	1,764	76.43%	496	21.49%	48	2.08%
2020	1,731	74.61%	547	23.58%	42	1.81%
2016	1,403	70.79%	430	21.70%	149	7.52%
2012	1,167	61.94%	632	33.55%	85	4.51%
2008	1,075	58.55%	673	36.66%	88	4.79%
2004	1,341	69.95%	538	28.06%	38	1.98%
2000	1,221	67.76%	476	26.42%	105	5.83%
1996	743	47.36%	565	36.01%	261	16.63%
1992	643	41.06%	467	29.82%	456	29.12%
1988	867	62.11%	458	32.81%	71	5.09%
1984	956	71.88%	333	25.04%	41	3.08%
1980	877	68.41%	311	24.26%	94	7.33%
1976	635	46.93%	633	46.78%	85	6.28%
1972	853	70.03%	365	29.97%	0	0.00%
1968	567	46.74%	466	38.42%	180	14.84%
1964	486	39.71%	738	60.29%	0	0.00%
1960	648	47.51%	716	52.49%	0	0.00%
1956	895	61.43%	562	38.57%	0	0.00%
1952	919	63.78%	522	36.22%	0	0.00%
1948	677	53.65%	541	42.87%	44	3.49%
1944	538	50.66%	524	49.34%	0	0.00%
1940	594	46.05%	696	53.95%	0	0.00%
1936	269	23.81%	861	76.19%	0	0.00%
1932	247	23.77%	792	76.23%	0	0.00%
1928	543	54.57%	452	45.43%	0	0.00%
1924	308	36.07%	164	19.20%	382	44.73%
1920	563	56.53%	389	39.06%	44	4.42%

• Pershing County Courthouse
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Pershing County, Nevada

• Official website

40°27′N 118°24′W / 40.45°N 118.40°W / 40.45; -118.40