White Pine County is a largely rural, mountain county along the central eastern boundary of the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,080. Its county seat is Ely. The name "(Rocky Mountain) white pine" is an old name for the limber pine (Pinus flexilis), a common tree in the county's mountains. The county boasts dark skies, clean air and millions of acres of unspoiled public land. It is the home of Great Basin National Park, one of America's most remote and least visited national parks. It is also home to no less than 14 federally designated wilderness areas, offering an abundance of terrain available to explore for hikers, backpackers, skiers, hunters and anglers. The Ely Shoshone Indian Reservation is located in the county, on the south side of the City of Ely. The reservation has a land area of 104.99 acres (0.4249 km) and a 2000 census official resident population of 133 people.

European settlement in White Pine County began with mining exploration, activity generated by the Pony Express Trail (which passes through the county), and farming.

The county was established by the Nevada legislature in 1869 from Lander County and named after the heavy growth of limber pine trees in the area, which were then called white pine. Hamilton was the first county seat from 1869 to 1887, when it was replaced by Ely after a fire.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 8,897 square miles (23,040 km), of which 8,876 square miles (22,990 km) is land and 21 square miles (54 km) (0.2%) is water.

Several sections of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest exist within the county, within the Snake Range, Egan Range, White Pine Range, Ruby Mountains, and Schell Creek Range. The county also contains Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park and Cave Lake State Park.

In the southeastern part of the county within Great Basin National Park lies 13,065 ft (3,982 m) Wheeler Peak, the tallest independent mountain within Nevada and the second-highest point within the state (the highest point being Boundary Peak). It is also the most topographically prominent peak in the county and the second-most prominent peak in Nevada (after Mount Charleston).

White Pine County is home to a number of designated wilderness areas. They were created by Congress on December 20, 2006, by the "White Pine County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act of 2006." About half are integral parts of Humboldt National Forest. The rest are managed by the Bureau of Land Management. One is shared between the two agencies. Some extend into neighboring counties, as indicated.

• Bald Mountain Wilderness (Humboldt NF)
• Becky Peak Wilderness (BLM)
• Bristlecone Wilderness (BLM)
• Currant Mountain Wilderness (Humboldt NF) partly in Nye County, NV
• Goshute Canyon Wilderness (BLM)
• Government Peak Wilderness (BLM)
• High Schells Wilderness (Humboldt NF)
• Highland Ridge Wilderness (BLM)
• Mount Grafton Wilderness (BLM) partly in Lincoln County, NV
• Mount Moriah Wilderness (Humboldt NF / BLM)
• Red Mountain Wilderness (Humboldt NF) partly in Nye County, NV
• Shellback Wilderness (Humboldt NF)
• South Egan Range Wilderness (BLM) partly in Lincoln County, NV; Nye County, NV
• White Pine Range Wilderness (Humboldt NF)

• Elko County - north
• Tooele County, Utah - northeast/Mountain Time Border
• Juab County, Utah - east/Mountain Time Border
• Millard County, Utah - southeast/Mountain Time Border
• Lincoln County - south
• Nye County - southwest
• Eureka County - west

• Great Basin National Park
• Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (part)
• Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1870	7,189		—
1880	2,682		−62.7%
1890	1,721		−35.8%
1900	1,961		13.9%
1910	7,441		279.4%
1920	8,935		20.1%
1930	11,771		31.7%
1940	12,377		5.1%
1950	9,424		−23.9%
1960	9,808		4.1%
1970	10,150		3.5%
1980	8,167		−19.5%
1990	9,264		13.4%
2000	9,181		−0.9%
2010	10,030		9.2%
2020	9,080		−9.5%
2023 (est.)	8,522		−6.1%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2018

White Pine County's population grew rapidly in the early part of the 20th Century in response to mining activity, and has remained relatively stable at around 9,500 residents since about 1950. Although mining has been a major employer throughout the county's history, tourism and services related to outdoor recreation are beginning to account for a larger share of jobs in the region.

As of the census of 2000, there were 9,181 people, 3,282 households, and 2,159 families living in the county. The population density was 1.0 people per square mile (0.39 people/km). There were 4,439 housing units at an average density of 0.50 per square mile (0.19/km). The racial makeup of the county was 86.35% White, 4.14% Black or African American, 3.29% Native American, 0.78% Asian, 0.24% Pacific Islander, 3.09% from other races, and 2.10% from two or more races. 10.98% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,282 households, out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.80% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.2% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 128.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 138.5 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,688, and the median income for a family was $44,136. Males had a median income of $36,083 versus $26,425 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,309. About 10.3% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.8% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 10,030 people, 3,707 households, and 2,344 families living in the county. The population density was 1.1 inhabitants per square mile (0.42/km). There were 4,498 housing units at an average density of 0.5 per square mile (0.19/km). The racial makeup of the county was 85.5% white, 4.2% American Indian, 3.9% black or African American, 1.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 2.8% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 13.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 26.9% were American, 11.3% were English, 11.2% were German, 10.4% were Irish, and 5.6% were Italian.

Of the 3,707 households, 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.8% were non-families, and 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.94. The median age was 40.8 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $48,545 and the median income for a family was $62,946. Males had a median income of $51,010 versus $31,453 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,615. About 11.7% of families and 15.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.6% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

From the late 19th century until near the end of the 20th century, the major industry was mining the region's deposits of copper, silver, and gold. The most notable of these operations included a series of open-pit copper mines near the town of Ruth, and a copper smelter in McGill, run by the Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation. The decline of mining has meant the loss of area jobs.

The entire county is served by the White Pine County School District.

• Ely (county seat)

• Baker
• Lund
• McGill
• Preston
• Ruth

• Cherry Creek
• East Ely
• Lages Station
• Majors Place
• Riepetown
• Schellbourne
• Strawberry

• Aurum
• Eightmile
• Hamilton
• Hobson
• Kimberly
• Lages Station
• Osceola
• Pleasant Valley
• Regan
• Strawberry
• Treasure City
• Tungstonia
• Veteran
• Ward

Regional offices of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service are located in Ely.

Ely State Prison, the location of Nevada's death row for men and the state execution chamber, is located in the county.

A swing county for much of the 20th century, White Pine County has become powerfully Republican like the rest of rural Nevada since the 1980s. The last Democrat to carry a majority in the county was Jimmy Carter in 1976. The most recent Democratic win in the county was a 36% plurality by Bill Clinton in 1992; Clinton went on to lose the county in 1996 by just 2 votes. Donald Trump received over 70% of the county's vote in both 2016 and 2020.

United States presidential election results for White Pine County, Nevada

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	3,364	77.32%	883	20.29%	104	2.39%
2020	3,403	77.89%	859	19.66%	107	2.45%
2016	2,723	72.17%	707	18.74%	343	9.09%
2012	2,601	70.22%	983	26.54%	120	3.24%
2008	2,440	63.51%	1,230	32.01%	172	4.48%
2004	2,604	68.49%	1,082	28.46%	116	3.05%
2000	2,234	63.05%	1,069	30.17%	240	6.77%
1996	1,399	40.03%	1,397	39.97%	699	20.00%
1992	1,206	32.33%	1,354	36.30%	1,170	31.37%
1988	1,774	53.31%	1,351	40.59%	203	6.10%
1984	1,917	57.90%	1,276	38.54%	118	3.56%
1980	1,896	54.77%	1,181	34.11%	385	11.12%
1976	1,543	41.27%	2,009	53.73%	187	5.00%
1972	2,446	61.27%	1,546	38.73%	0	0.00%
1968	1,670	40.65%	2,062	50.19%	376	9.15%
1964	1,174	29.48%	2,809	70.52%	0	0.00%
1960	1,552	36.39%	2,713	63.61%	0	0.00%
1956	2,386	51.50%	2,247	48.50%	0	0.00%
1952	2,205	50.25%	2,183	49.75%	0	0.00%
1948	1,396	36.33%	2,287	59.51%	160	4.16%
1944	1,554	35.59%	2,812	64.41%	0	0.00%
1940	1,568	29.93%	3,671	70.07%	0	0.00%
1936	872	23.71%	2,806	76.29%	0	0.00%
1932	1,352	38.30%	2,178	61.70%	0	0.00%
1928	1,992	58.50%	1,413	41.50%	0	0.00%
1924	1,049	44.52%	499	21.18%	808	34.30%
1920	1,354	55.58%	902	37.03%	180	7.39%
1916	948	30.31%	1,922	61.45%	258	8.25%
1912	254	16.92%	514	34.24%	733	48.83%
1908	786	47.84%	722	43.94%	135	8.22%
1904	276	59.35%	152	32.69%	37	7.96%

• National Register of Historic Places listings in White Pine County, Nevada

• Official website
• Media related to White Pine County, Nevada at Wikimedia Commons
• "White Pine" . The American Cyclopædia. 1879.
• "Scientists Voice Their Overwhelming Support for Wilderness Designations in White Pine County, Nevada" by the Wilderness Society

39°26′N 114°54′W / 39.44°N 114.90°W / 39.44; -114.90