Austin

Nearby Communities

• Battle Mountain
• Eureka
• Kingston
• Tonopah
• Fallon

Austin is a small, unincorporated community located in the Toiyabe Range of central Nevada, in western Lander County. Situated along U.S. Route 50, the “Loneliest Road in America,” Austin had a population of about 160 people as of the 2020 Census.

Founded in 1862 after the discovery of silver, Austin was once one of Nevada’s busiest mining towns and even rivaled Virginia City in its early years. Though its mining heyday has passed, Austin remains a well-preserved historic town known for its architecture, rugged scenery, and role as a gateway to outdoor adventure in the central Nevada mountains.

Quick Facts

• **Status:** Unincorporated
• **County:** Lander County
• **Population:** ~160
• **ZIP Code:** 89310
• **Elevation:** ~6,700 ft
• **Founded:** 1862
• **Route:** U.S. Route 50

Local Economy and Tourism

Austin’s economy includes:

• **Heritage tourism** – historic buildings, museums, ghost town exploration
• **Recreation and camping** in the Toiyabe Range
• **Artisan goods and hospitality** – shops, cafes, inns
• **Small-scale mining and geology tourism**

Historic Sites and Attractions

• Stokes Castle – A 19th-century stone tower built in 1897
• Gridley Store and Historical Society Museum
• St. Augustine's Cultural Center – Nevada’s oldest Catholic church building
• Pony Express and Overland Stage Route connections
• Access to Spencer Hot Springs and trailheads for the Toiyabe Crest Trail

Education

Austin is part of the Lander County School District, which operates:

• Austin Elementary School
• Older students typically attend high school in Battle Mountain

Governance and Services

As an unincorporated town, Austin is governed by the Lander County Commission and supported by a local Town Board. The community has essential public services, including fire protection and a sheriff substation.