Nye County gained 67 residents in the fourth quarter of 2013, according to estimates by the Nye County Planning Department. Pahrump grew by 51 people.
Planners estimate the population of Nye County grew one-tenth of 1 percent from 46,618 to 46,685 residents.
Pahrump, which accounts for more than 82 percent of the county population, saw an increase from 38,492 residents to 38,543, a similar percentage increase.
Tonopah had almost a 1 percent increase in population during the fourth quarter, from 3,057 residents to 3,083. Tonopah, where SolarReserve is employing 600 workers on its Crescent Dunes solar plant, cracked the 3,000-population figure during the third quarter of 2013.
Beatty lost 17 residents in the fourth quarter, to finish 2013 with 1,046 residents, planners estimate.
Amargosa Valley had a population of 1,337 residents as of Dec. 31, a loss of two people.
The population of Gabbs increased by six people, to 367 residents.
The annual growth rate of Nye County was 1.1 percent during 2013, a gain of 511 residents from the 46,174 at the end of 2012. The population of Pahrump grew 1 percent during that time, an increase of 390 residents from 38,153 Pahrumpians at the end of 2012.
The Nye County Planning Department uses active residential customer data from the various electrical utilities multiplied by the average number of persons per household as determined by the 2010 census. For people residing in group housing, the county uses a trending factor that is monitored on an annual basis using telephone interviews.
The population estimates are used to monitor and assess baseline conditions for the Yucca Mountain project, to prepare baseline projections for the county and its communities, to provide a basis for comparison with other estimates and for public and private agency planning purposes.