Major highways

Adjacent counties

• Lyon County - northwest
• Churchill County - north
• Nye County - northeast
• Esmeralda County - southeast
• Mono County, California - southwest

National protected areas

• Inyo National Forest (part)
• Toiyabe National Forest (part)

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 5,071 people, 2,197 households, and 1,379 families living in the county. The population density was 1 person per square mile (0.39 person/km²). There were 2,866 housing units at an average density of 1 units per square mile (0.39/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 73.9% White, 4.8% Black or African American, 15.5% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.7% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. 8.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.^[10] Of the 2,197 households 25.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.20% were married couples living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.20% were non-families. 31.60% of households were one person and 15.10% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.78.

The age distribution was 24.40% under the age of 18, 6.20% from 18 to 24, 22.50% from 25 to 44, 27.10% from 45 to 64, and 19.80% 65 or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.30 males.

The median household income was $32,891 and the median family income was $39,477. Males had a median income of $31,929 versus $25,262 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,952. About 11.00% of families and 15.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.70% of those under age 18 and 10.70% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 4,772 people, 2,240 households, and 1,258 families living in the county.^[11] The population density was 1.3 inhabitants per square mile (0.50/km²). There were 2,830 housing units at an average density of 0.8 per square mile (0.31/km²).^[12] The racial makeup of the county was 72.5% white, 15.5% Native American, 4.1% black or African American, 1.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 2.1% from other races, and 4.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 9.1% of the population.^[11] In terms of ancestry, 23.8% were English, 18.5% were German, 13.8% were Irish, 9.3% were Scottish, 5.2% were Portuguese, and 3.7% were American.^[13]

Of the 2,240 households, 21.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.0% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 43.8% were non-families, and 36.7% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.70. The median age was 49.2 years.^[11]

The median household income was $35,446 and the median family income was $57,064. Males had a median income of $48,281 versus $33,830 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,226. About 11.4% of families and 19.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.0% of those under age 18 and 12.6% of those age 65 or over.^[14]

Census-designated places

• Hawthorne (county seat)
• Mina
• Schurz
• Walker Lake

Unincorporated communities

• Luning

Other places