Located in northeast Nevada, White Pine County offers a progressive, full service community combined with the serene, uncomplicated quality of life of the rural West. Its landscape is characteristic of the Great Basin with north-south mountain ranges up to 13,000 feet in elevation, separated by long vast valleys ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 feet in elevation.

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Climate

County-wide Population

Ely is the largest community in White Pine County. It is the regional center for commerce and business for much of eastern Nevada. Ely also provides services for the surrounding communities of McGill, Ruth, Lund, Baker, and Cherry Creek.

Employment/Income

Employment services are provided through the Nevada State Department of Employment and Job Opportunities in Nevada

White Pine County's primary sectors are mining, service/trade (tourist-related businesses), and government, including Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Ely Conservation Camp, and the Nevada State Department of Prisons.

Housing

White Pine County has a wide range of housing stock available for new residents. Housing is concentrated in Ely, Ruth, and McGill with new residential areas developing on the outskirts of Ely. Rental housing and property for new homes are also available to assist first-time home buyers and low-income families.

Desert Mountain Realty, Inc. reports that an average three bedroom, two bath home may sell for approximately $85,000 to $125,000. Rental rates average $400 to $700 per month.

Commercial

White Pine County's business community makes a full range of products and services available for the county's residents. Local stores are known for their home town, friendly atmosphere and willingness to go the extra mile to help a customer.

Accommodations include: 23 motels totaling 671 rooms; 25 restaurants and 4 casinos. A full range of professional services are also available including: Accountants, legal services, banking and insurance agents.

Energy Sources - Utilities

Mt. Wheeler Power, Inc. is a cooperative electric utility owned by its members. It is a member of a nationwide network of Rural Electric Cooperatives organized by the Rural Electrification Administration since it originated in 1935. Other energy sources include: propane, fuel oil, and coal.

Medical and Social Community Services

Additional organizations include: various civic groups, fraternal orders, church and youth organizations, as well as historical, cultural and educational organizations.

Education

Small class sizes, a high degree of personal attention and the opportunity for students to pursue individual areas of interest all contribute to an impressive education system. The White Pine School District has one of the highest graduation rates in the state, (92 percent), and its SATscores consistently rank among the best in the state.

White Pine School District's 1994-95 enrollment stands at 2,184 students. Average class size ranges from 16-20 students per teacher. High school vocational training includes drafting (CAD), agriculture, animal care and husbandry (research), carpentry, machine shop and hydroponics (plants). Business education (word processing, accounting, etc.) is also available. High tech courses will also be available soon on the high school level.

A full range of extra-curricular activities include: volleyball, basketball, softball, golf and track for girls, and football, basketball, wrestling, baseball, golf and track for boys. Drama students enjoy performing throughout the year.

Special education programs are available for special needs children. Classes are also offered for the handicapped in conjunction with regular classroom attendance wherever possible including both academic and vocational training.

Adult Education

Adult education programs are also offered through White Pine County School District to assist area adults in receiving their high school diploma or GED.

The Great Basin College in Ely, with its brand-new Norm Goeringer Vocational Skills Center, is the fastest growing satellite center in the Northern Nevada Community College system, educating more than 700 students per year, including students at the Ely State Prison and Ely Conservation Camp.

NNCC offers four types of educational opportunities: university transfer courses, occupational and technical studies, developmental courses, and community education, along with student support services and special business-education partnerships.

Recreation

White Pine County is home to the new Great Basin National Park. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike the hearty trails of Wheeler Peak or take the gentle trail to the Bristlecone Forests. You will find plenty of camping, hiking and fishing in the park as well as guided tours through the limestone caverns of Lehman Caves.

Cave Lake State Park, the Nevada Northern Railway Museum and the Ghost Train of Ely offer a variety of local points of interest.

In White Pine County, you'll find everything' from horse shows, county fairs and Arts in the Park to many fun family-oriented holiday events. Also offered is a variety of motorcycle and car races and shows, featuring the Silver State Classic open road car race in May and September.

Taxes

Improvements are based on replacement cost. New less 1 1/2% depreciation per year of actual age to a residual of not less than 25%.

Property taxes on an average home valued at $70,000: $70,000 x 35%* x 3.64 = $891.80.

Transportation

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