Nevada

Washoe

486,492
2020 population
1870
first census record
16
census records

About Washoe

Washoe, Nevada, first appears in the United States federal census in 1870, when it recorded a population of 3,091. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 486,492.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, 22 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Battle of Pinnacle Mount — Nevada (1860), Battle of Pyramid Lake, Paiute War — Battle of Pyramid Lake 1860, and 82 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
2020486,492
2010421,407
2000339,486
1990254,667
1980193,623
1970121,068
196084,743
195050,205
194032,476
193027,158
192018,627
191017,434
19009,141
18906,437
18805,664
18703,091
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Washoe

Military engagements that took place in Washoe, Nevada.

Battle of Pinnacle Mount — Nevada (1860)
1860
Battle of Pyramid Lake
1860
Paiute War — Battle of Pyramid Lake 1860
1860
Battle of Pyramid Lake — Second Engagement (June 2, 1860)
1860
Second Battle of Pyramid Lake
1860
Battle of Pyramid Lake First
1860
Battle of Pyramid Lake — First Battle
1860
Pyramid Lake War — First Battle
1860
Williams Station Massacre
1860
Pyramid Lake War — Second Battle (June 3, 1860)
1860
Battle of Pyramid Lake — Second Battle
1860
Battle of Pyramid Lake — First Engagement (May 12, 1860)
1860
Battle of Pyramid Lake (Second)
1860
Battle of Winnemucca Lake
1860
Pyramid Lake War — Second Battle
1860
Battle of Pyramid Lake Second
1860
Pyramid Lake War – Battle of Pyramid Lake First
1860
Pyramid Lake War — First Battle (May 12, 1860)
1860
Pyramid Lake War – Battle of Pyramid Lake Second
1860
First Battle of Pyramid Lake
1860
Battle of Infernal Caverns (NV approach)
1867
Verdi Train Robbery — Central Pacific Express NV
1870

Historic places in Washoe

National Register of Historic Places listings in Washoe, Nevada.

Twaddle Mansion
Reno
Tyson House
Reno
1872 California-Nevada State Boundary Marker
Verdi
Nevada-California-Oregon Railroad Depot
Reno
Southside School
Reno
First Church of Christ, Scientist (Additional Documentation)
Reno
Morrill Hall, University of Nevada/Reno
Reno
Frey Ranch
Reno
El Cortez Hotel
Reno
California Building
Reno
Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity House
Reno
Whittell Estate
Incline Village
Immaculate Conception Church
Sparks
Pioneer Theater-Auditorium
Reno
Cal-Vada Lodge Hotel
Crystal Bay
Billinghurst, Benson Dillon, House
Reno
Barnard, W.E., House
Reno
Graham, William J., House
Reno
Kind, J. Clarence, House
Reno
Senator Francis G. Newland Home
Reno
University of Nevada Reno Historic District
Reno
Veteran's Memorial School
Reno
Washoe County Library
Reno
Fleischmann Atmospherium Planetarium
Reno
Browse all Nevadahistoric sites ›

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Explore census history and historic records for more Nevada counties.

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Everything a full report reveals about Washoe County, Nevada

This page charts the census history of Washoe County, Nevada. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Frequently asked about Washoe

When does Washoe first appear in the US census?
Washoe, Nevada first appears in the federal census in 1870, with a recorded population of 3,091.
What is the population of Washoe?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Washoe had a recorded population of 486,492.
Were any battles fought in Washoe?
22 documented military engagements took place in Washoe, including Battle of Pinnacle Mount — Nevada (1860), Battle of Pyramid Lake, Paiute War — Battle of Pyramid Lake 1860.
How many historic places are in Washoe?
82 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Washoe, Nevada.
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