Lander
6.9
High score (8-10)
Battle Mountain has a reputation that undersells what's actually there — the Barrick Cortez gold mine is one of the largest gold operations in North America, and the income that flows through a town of 4,000 is disproportionate. For a man with technical or trade skills connected to the mining industry, Battle Mountain is a place where your resume matters more than your social history. The low cost of living and the surprising amount of disposable income in town mean that the bars and events that do exist punch above their weight.
Mid score (6-8) · Your profile
Lander County exists economically because of the Barrick Cortez mine north of Battle Mountain — otherwise this stretch of I-80 would have nothing. The town has the usual small Nevada casino-bar strip, and the mine brings in rotating technical workers who create some transient social energy. The permanent population is small and rooted. Better than it sounds on paper, worse than anywhere you'd choose on purpose.
Lower score (below 6)
Battle Mountain earned its infamous reputation from a 2001 Washington Post travel piece calling it the armpit of America, and while the label is unfair it reflects something real about the social reality. The county seat has 4,000 people, mining is the entire economy, and the social options are a handful of casino bars serving the same crowd every night. Women who grow up here leave if they can. Not a place any outsider would build a social life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the median income in Lander, Nevada?
$49k median
What's the typical marriage age for women in Lander, Nevada?
Women marry at 27
How common is a college degree in Lander, Nevada?
24% men have degree
What's the average male height in Lander, Nevada?
178 cm local avg
What's the average BMI for women in Lander, Nevada?
Local women avg 29.4