Gerlach–Empire, Nevada

Gerlach-Empire is a census-designated place (CDP) in Washoe County, Nevada, United States. The population was 499 at the 2000 census. Most of the population live in the two tiny settlements of Gerlach and Empire.

The annual Burning Man festival takes place at the Black Rock Desert, around ten miles from Gerlach. Both derive a significant proportion of their incomes from sales to Burning Man attendees.

Geography

Location of Gerlach-Empire, Nevada

Gerlach-Empire is located at 40°37′22″N 119°20′29″W (40.622883, -119.341273)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 243.6 km² (94.1 mi²), all land.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 499 people, 234 households, and 146 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2.0/km² (5.3/mi²). There were 297 housing units at an average density of 1.2/km² (3.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.18% White, 2.81% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 4.61% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.02% of the population.

There were 234 households out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.2% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.71.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 116.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 120.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $35,089, and the median income for a family was $43,125. Males had a median income of $36,000 versus $23,056 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $14,793. About 10.3% of families and 14.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.8% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.

Gerlach is served by the Washoe County School District.

Economy

The economies of Gerlach and Empire focus on gypsum mining near Empire and tourism in the nearby Black Rock Desert. Since 1991, Burning Man, a week long countercultural festival with over 30,000 participants, has been held nearby. Due to the appearance and actions of many of the participants, local enthusiasm is mixed, but the event is responsible for over 30% of the sales in most of the commercial establishments in the area. The Black Rock Desert is also the site of many other recreational activities, organized and otherwise, throughout the year.

External links

• San Francisco Chronicle story about Burning Man's impact on Gerlach-Empire