Winnemucca was built around the Union Pacific Railroad
Winnemucca, a city of 10,000 in the northern Nevada desert, sprang up around the Union Pacific Railroad and has historically been home to working-class people. “The main driving force to the area is blue-collar jobs like mining, ranching, farming and power generation,” says Waylon Huber, the Broker and owner of Robin Hood Realty and a Winnemucca resident. The Union Pacific Railroad runs through the heart of the city and is a key economic feature of Winnemucca, transporting materials harvested and mined in the city to locations across the country. A large lithium deposit was recently discovered 50 miles north of Winnemucca and is expected to bring growth and jobs to the city beginning in 2025. Seated between Winnemucca Mountain and Sonoma Mountain, hunting, hiking and drag racing are popular pastimes.
Winnemucca has three primary cultural influences: its Native American name, a Basque community, and a lineage of buckaroos, another word for cowboy. The city is named after a 19th-century Native American chief and the Winnemucca Indian Colony of Nevada is located on the south side of the city. Basque people have been a part of Winnemucca’s community since the 1850s, and the Buckaroo Museum highlights notable Buckaroos from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Winnemucca's economy is powered by the Blue Collar worker, with an abundance of mines, agriculture and energy related occupations.
The Union Pacific Railroad was the epicenter of development in Winnemucca carrying supplies and industry across the continental United States.
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Hiking, drag racing and hunting in the Nevada desert
Winnemucca has a handful of parks and a golf course in the city limits. Most of the city’s more popular pastimes happen at sites in the surrounding area. Winnemucca Mountain and Sonoma Mountain, both popular hiking and camping spots, rise to the north and south. To the east is a quarter-mile track at the Winnemucca Regional Raceway. “People build their own mods and race on the dirt track quite a bit,” says Huber. Thousands of acres of hunting grounds surround the city, where deer, antelopes and mountain lions are common game.
The Winnemucca Regional Raceway is a unique venue providing events on the weekends.
The Winnemucca Mountain Trailhead offers undeveloped terrain for its residents to hike year-round.
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Basque and Mexican cuisine in Winnemucca
Restaurants, bars, and shops are clustered between Interstate 80 and the Union Pacific Railroad, which runs through the center of Winnemucca. The Martin Hotel, notable for its Basque cuisine, is housed in an 1898 rooming house along the railroad. “Basque eat family style [at Basque restaurants],” says Huber. “You sit down with other people you may or may not know and pass large bowls of food around the table like you're eating at your own family Thanksgiving.” Mexican restaurants are popular across Winnemucca, and most eateries are locally owned.
The Martin Hotel is a community gatherig space in Winnemucca with locals frequenting the bar and diners sharing dinner plates in the restaurant.
Winnemucca is abundant in Mexican cuisine, offering sit-down dinners and drive-thru burrito options.
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Pre-war and manufactured homes in Winnemucca
The median cost of a home in Winnemucca is $315,000, which is higher than the national average. Housing inventory is low because of a limited number of builders in the area, making new builds expensive. Homeowners benefit from 0.4% property tax rates compared to the national average of 0.9%. Houses tend to be pre-war cottages and bungalows built in suburban neighborhoods near the Interstate 80 and the Union Pacific Railroad. Manufactured homes on multi-acre plots of land can be found in rural neighborhoods to the south.
Like many rural communities East of Reno, Winnemucca is seeing an influx of new luxury housing communities.
Winnemucca has a large footprint of manufactured homes with large lots used for RV's and industrial equipment.
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Getting around Winnemucca
Interstate 80 is the main route through Winnemucca and leads east to Elko and south to Reno. U.S. Route 90 leads north to Oregon. Amtrak also has a station along the Union Pacific Railroad, and there is a Greyhound station on the west side of the city.
Winnemucca Public Schools
The city is served by the Humboldt County School District, which has a B-minus rating on Niche and has seven campuses, five in Winnemucca.
The Front Entrance to French Ford Middle School in Winnemucca.
Lowry Highschool, Home of the Buckaroos in Winnemucca, Nevada.
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Crime in Winnemucca
According to the Winnemucca Police Department, in 2023, all types of property crime decreased by 28%, and all types of violent crime increased by 13%.
Written By
Conor Lobb
Photography Contributed By
Jeremy Jensen
Video By
Pasha Chichagov
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Winnemucca, NV sell after 78 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Winnemucca, NV over the last 12 months is $362,950, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Enjoy the serenity of nature and panoramic views of Sonoma creek canyon from this charming and beautifully updated home. Nestled on 20 acres, the property features an open concept interior filled with natural light, a cozy pellet stove in the living room, and tasteful upgrades throughout, including granite countertops, newer flooring, and updated kitchen and bathrooms. Outside mature trees offer
Cozy and comfortable country living on 2.22 acres! This property offers a peaceful rural lifestyle with a barb-wired perimeter fence and cross fencing, ideal for animals. Includes 3 horse stalls, a convenient c-container for storage, and a few young trees starting to take root. Plenty of space and potential to make it your own little country living paradise.
Welcome to this charming 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home on 4.54 acres, offering 1,862 sq. ft. of comfortable living space. Featuring stunning high wood ceilings throughout, Master bedroom with walk in closet, private bathroom with double sinks and large shower. This property is fully fenced and provides plenty of room for horses, livestock, or your dream farm. A perfect blend of rustic charm and wide
Located in the all ages manufactured home community of Mountain Desert MHP, this previously owned 2023 Champion home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms at approximately 1,012 square feet. This home comes with a full kitchen, carpet and linoleum flooring, and washer/dryer hook-ups. Plus, it has a spacious layout, great location and much more! Mountain Desert offers friendly atmosphere, generously
Kimberly FrancesconiMountain Desert Mobile Home Park
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