Humboldt County

Humboldt County spans roughly 9,600 square miles across northwestern Nevada with mountain ranges, desert terrain, and sections of the Humboldt National Forest. The landscape alternates between elevated ridges and open basins throughout the region.

The Utah Territorial Legislature established the county in 1856 as Nevada's first county. Unionville functioned as the original seat before the region's center of gravity shifted.

The Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone people and the Winnemucca Indian Colony shape the region's social fabric with their presence and traditions throughout the county.

Interstate 80 and US Route 95 intersect at Winnemucca, serving as major transportation routes across the county and connecting to neighboring states. These highways make traveling through the area straightforward for most visitors.

Thacker Pass contains the largest known lithium reserve in the United States, with mining operations that began in 2023. This mineral fuels battery production for electric vehicles worldwide.

Location: Nevada

Inception: 1856

Capital city: Winnemucca

Shares border with: Harney County, Malheur County, Owyhee County, Elko County, Lander County, Pershing County, Washoe County

Website: https://humboldtcountynv.gov

GPS coordinates: 41.41000,-118.12000

Latest update: December 20, 2025 15:06