Wells, Nevada

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Wells, Nevada
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location of Wells within Nevada


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Nevada
subdivision_type2 =
subdivision_name2 =
government_footnotes =
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leader_title =
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unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 17.8
area_land_km2 = 17.8
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 6.9
area_land_sq_mi = 6.9
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 1346
population_density_km2 = 75.5
population_density_sq_mi = 195.6

timezone = Pacific (PST)
utc_offset = -8
timezone_DST = PDT
utc_offset_DST = -7
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 1716
elevation_ft = 5630
latd = 41 |latm = 6 |lats = 34 |latNS = N
longd = 114 |longm = 58 |longs = 8 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 89835
area_code = 775
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 32-83000
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0845730
website =
footnotes =

Wells is a town in Elko County, in northeast Nevada in the western United States. The population was 1,346 at the 2000 census. Wells is located at the junction of U.S. Route 93 and Interstate 80, approximately 50 miles (83 km) east of Elko and is part of the Elko Micropolitan Statistical Area.

The site of Wells began as simply a named place called Humboldt Wells along the trail to California. It was subsequently founded as a railroad town along the original Transcontinental Railroad, and was once a stopover for passenger trains. The Humboldt River has its source in springs and a swampy area just west of town which is today called Humboldt Wells. In the late 1800s the town of Humboldt Wells was burning down, and in a frantic plea for help, a telegraph was sent that said, "Wells is burning". After this the town was rebuilt and simply referred to as 'Wells'.

The Lone Star Motel located in Wells was used in the 2001 film Joy Ride for a critical scene.

A 6.0 earthquake occurred near Wells at 6:16 am on February 21, 2008. Because of the proximity of the epicenter, Wells experienced the most damage as a result. The earthquake originated 9 km below the surface, with its epicenter only 12 miles (19 km) distant from Wells, at 41.077, -114.752. [http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/eqinthenews/2008/us2008nsa9/ Wells Quake - USGS]

Geography

Wells is located at coor dms|41|6|34|N|114|58|8|W|city (41.109551, -114.968856)GR|1, at an elevation of 5,630 feet.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.9 sq mi (17.8 km²), all land.

Wells is located by the intersection of U.S. Route 93 and Interstate 80.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 1,346 people, 525 households, and 352 families residing in the city. The population density was 195.6 people per square mile (75.5/km²). There were 633 housing units at an average density of 92.0/sq mi (35.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.24% White, 6.76% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 9.06% from other races, and 3.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.47% of the population.

There were 525 households out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.3% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 107.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,870, and the median income for a family was $41,827. Males had a median income of $31,250 versus $20,852 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,835. About 8.6% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.9% of those under age 18 and 2.1% of those age 65 or over.

References

External links

* [http://www.californiatrailinterpretivecenter.com/ Wells Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.elkocountynv.net/ Elko County]
* [http://www.elkocountylibrary.org/wells.htm Wells Branch Library]
* [http://outbacknv.us/howh/HumboldtWells.html Early history and photos]