Nye is a county located in the US state of Nevada. According to the census of the United States of the 2000, its population was of 32,485 inhabitants. In 2007, its estimated population was 46,308. With its 47,032 km², Nye is the third largest county by area of the United States, excluding the boroughs of Alaska. The county seat is the city of Tonopah. The "population center" of Nevada is located in Nye County, very close to Yucca Mountain. The largest community in Nye County is Pahrump, an unincorporated city.
The Nevada Test Site and the projected Yucca Mountain radioactive waste deposit is located in the southwestern part of the county and is the center of a great political and public controversy in the state. The federal government owns 92 percent of the county's land, which is also subject to controversy by the county and the state. The county has several environmentally sensitive areas, including the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, the White River Valley and a part of the Death Valley National Park. Visitors to Death Valley often stay at Beatty or Amargosa Valley. The county does not have incorporated cities. The seat of government in Tonopah is 250 km from Pahrump, where approximately 86% of the county's population resides. Nye County is one of 11 Nevada counties where prostitution is legal, and some studies show that prostitution has had a positive impact on the local economy.
The seat of government in Tonopah is 260 km from Pahrump, where 86% of the county's population resides. Nye County is nicknamed "The Kingdom of Nye," from the Coast to Coast AM radio program, presented by Pahrump resident Art Bell.