McDermitt is an unincorporated community straddling the Nevada-Oregon border, in Humboldt County, Nevada and Malheur County, Oregon. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined the portion of McDermitt in Nevada as a census-designated place (CDP). The census definition of the area may not precisely correspond to local understanding of the area with the same name. The Oregon portion of McDermitt is not part of the CDP, but is included in the Ontario, OR–ID Micropolitan Statistical Area.

The community, originally called Dugout, was named after Charles McDermit [sic], a commander of the Military District of Nevada in the 1860s. It was originally established to protect a stagecoach route from Virginia City, Nevada to Boise, Idaho.

As of the 2000 census, the CDP population was 269, a precipitous decline from the 373 people enumerated in the census a decade earlier.

The community is on U.S. Highway 95. Its economy has historically been based on ranching and farming, and home to a mercury mine until 1990. Mining may start up in the area again, courtesy of Canadian firm Gold Canyon Resources [1]. Samples from a former mercury mine in the area suggest that it could become home to the world's only gallium mine, which is normally produced as a by-product of aluminum and zinc mining.

The state line goes through the White Horse Inn, a now-abandoned saloon, hotel, and reportedly, brothel [2]. When it was open, you could order your food in Oregon, thus avoiding Nevada sales tax [3].

Geography

McDermitt is located at 41°57′47″N, 117°38′11″W (41.962928, -117.636266)^[1].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 13.2 square miles (34.1 km²).None of it is covered by water.

Demographics

As of the census^[2] of 2000, there were 269 people, 90 households, and 60 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 20.4 people per square mile (7.9/km²). There were 107 housing units at an average density of 8.1/sq mi (3.1/km²). 262 (97.4%) of the population is Native American; seven people (2.6%) are White. Two people (0.74%) are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 90 households out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.4% were married couples living together, 25.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 30% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.99 and the average family size was 3.85.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 29.7% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 108.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.9 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $16,563, and the median income for a family was $17,396. Males had a median income of $25,625 versus $24,375 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $6,399. About 37.7% of families and 33.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.9% of those under the age of eighteen and 35.0% of those sixty five or over.

Transportation

• McDermitt State Airport

References

1. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
2. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.

External links

• Gold Canyon Resources
• Newspaper story about the town

• McDermitt, Nevada-Oregon is at coordinates 41°57′47″N 117°38′11″W / 41.962928, -117.636266 (McDermitt, Nevada-Oregon)Coordinates: 41°57′47″N 117°38′11″W / 41.962928, -117.636266 (McDermitt, Nevada-Oregon)

v â€¢ d â€¢ e Municipalities and communities of Humboldt County, Nevada County seat: Winnemucca City Winnemucca CDP McDermitt Unincorporated communities Denio | Golconda | Orovada | Paradise Valley | Stone House | Valmy

v â€¢ d â€¢ e Municipalities and communities of Malheur County, Oregon County seat: Vale Cities Adrian | Jordan Valley | Nyssa | Ontario | Vale Unincorporated communities Arock | Brogan | Danner | Juntura | McDermitt | Riverside | Rome