Minden, established in 1905, and the county seat for Douglas County is at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and has an elevation of 4,700 feet above sea level. Life in Minden offers the conveniences of small town living with all of the facilities of Lake Tahoe (20-25 minute drive) or Reno (45-50 minute drive) within easy reach. Minden is named after a small town in Germany - "Minden, Germany". The towns of Minden, Gardnerville, and Genoa make up the "Carson Valley" which offers great mountain views, four seasons, and plenty of sunshine.

 

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,836 people, 1,166 households, and 839 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 664.2 people per square mile (256.4/km²). There were 1,231 housing units at an average density of 288.3/sq mi (111.3/km²).

 

The racial makeup of the CDP was 94.04% White, 0.07% African American, 0.71% Native American, 1.13% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 2.08% from other races, and 1.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.59% of the population.

 

There were 1,166 households out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.4% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.78.

 

In the CDP the population was spread out with 21.9% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 23.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.

 

Income:

Median: $54,361
Average: (households w/children) $59,543

 

Taxes:

The Douglas County sales tax rate is 6.75%.

 

Shopping:

Minden is served by local chain grocery stores with ample surrounding retail for fast food, movie rental, movie theaters, etc. Major "big box" stores including Costco, Home Depot, PetCo, WalMart, Target, Best Buy, Border Books, Trader Joe's and more are located at the north end of Douglas County - about a 10 minute drive from Minden.

 

Driving distance from:

 

Sacramento, CA 126
San Francisco, CA 212
Los Angeles, CA 428
San Diego, CA 515
Portland, OR 619
Seattle, WA 792
Bend, OR 448
Boise, ID 454
Salt Lake City, UT 549
Las Vegas, NV 432
Phoenix, AZ 626