thumb|[[Walker Lake (Nevada)|Walker Lake Recreation Area, a popular scenic attraction]]
Mineral County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,554, making it the fifth-least populous county in Nevada. Its county seat is Hawthorne.
History
Mineral County was carved out of Esmeralda County in 1911 shortly after the county seat of Esmeralda was moved to Goldfield in 1907. Its name came from the surrounding area, which is heavily mineralized. Hawthorne has always been its county seat. The county is listed as Nevada Historical Marker 16. The marker is located on U.S. Highway 95 at Walker Lake.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.6%) is water. The highest point in Mineral County is Mount Grant at .
Major highways
- 20px Interstate 11 (Future)
- 20px U.S. Route 6
- 20px U.S. Route 95
- 20px<br>20px U.S. Route 95 Alternate
- 20px<br>20px U.S. Route 95 Truck (Hawthorne)
- 20px State Route 359
- 20px State Route 360
- 20px State Route 361
Adjacent counties
- Lyon County - northwest
- Churchill County - north
- Nye County - northeast
- Esmeralda County - southeast
- Mono County, California - southwest
National protected areas
- Inyo National Forest (part)
- Toiyabe National Forest (part)