John Lettieri, President and CEO of Economic Innovation Group | Official Website
John Lettieri, President and CEO of Economic Innovation Group | Official Website
Among Nevada’s counties, Esmeralda County saw the largest increase in transfer dependency over the past 10 years, surging 14.3% from 19.7% in 2012 to 34% in 2022, and up 27.5% from just 6.5% in 1970. In dollar terms, government transfers per capita in Esmeralda County jumped from $11,404 in 2012 to $20,517 in 2022, a stark contrast to the $1,527 recorded in 1970.
Eureka County followed with the second-largest increase in transfer dependency, increasing 6.2% from 10.3% in 2012 to 16.5% in 2022, and an overall increase of 12% from 1970’s 4.5% transfer dependency. This trend is reflected in per capita amounts, with residents of Eureka County receiving an average of $8,196 in transfer income in 2022, up from $4,820 in 2012 and more than double the $1,527 recorded in 1970.
Additionally, Mineral County had the highest percentage of income derived from government transfers, at 37.1% in 2022, making it the county with the highest overall transfer dependency. Nye County and Esmeralda County followed closely behind, with transfer dependency rates of 35.9% and 34% in 2022, respectively.
Compared to 1970, Mineral County increased by 31.5%, while Nye County and Esmeralda County have increased by 31.5% and 27.5%, respectively, showing sustained reliance on government transfers. Residents in Mineral County received an average of $17,633 in transfers per capita, with Nye County and Esmeralda County close behind at $15,441 and $20,517, respectively.
For comparison, the statewide average was 16.5% in 2022, showing a lower dependency than the national average of 17.6%. On a per capita level, this translates to $10,264 per resident in 2022, compared to $11,542 nationwide.
Government transfer payments are non-repayable funds provided by federal, state, or local governments to support individuals in need. These payments aim to stabilize economic conditions and provide financial support during hardships. Key programs include Social Security transfers (retirement benefits), Medicare transfers (healthcare for seniors), Medicaid transfers (healthcare for low-income individuals), and income maintenance transfers (financial assistance for basic needs).
In Nevada, reliance on government transfers was just 5.4% (or $1,636 per capita in inflation-adjusted 2022 dollars) in 1970. This has since increased to 16.5% (or $10,264 per capita) in 2022, reflecting a total increase of 11.1% since 1970. This shift is largely influenced by increased healthcare costs, and economic transformations that have reshaped income sources across the U.S.
In 2022, the primary government transfer programs in Nevada included:
- Social Security: $3,362 (32.8% of total transfers)
- Medicare: $2,669 (26% of total transfers)
- Medicaid: $1,589 (15.5% of total transfers)
- Income Maintenance Programs: $1,258 (12.3% of total transfers)
With 17% of the population aged 65 and older, Nevada has a significant demand for programs like Social Security and Medicare. However, counties with higher poverty rates also show elevated Medicaid and income maintenance participation.
Government transfers have long been a modest financial safety net, historically comprising only a small fraction of Americans' income. However, since the 1970s—sometimes dubbed the “Great Transfer-mation”—dependency has surged from 8.2% (or $2,022 per capita in inflation-adjusted 2022 dollars) in 1970 to 17.6% (or $11,542 per capita) in 2022 nationwide. In Nevada, reliance on government transfers has similarly increased from 5.4% (or $1,636 per capita) in 1970 to 16.5% (or $10,264 per capita) in 2022, reflecting broader national trends.
According to the Economic Innovation Group’s analysis, these trends are not merely short-term responses to economic pressures but rather reflect a profound, long-term transformation in how government support is integrated into American life. The study illustrates that structural shifts—from rising healthcare expenses and demographic changes to stagnant wages—have significantly increased dependency on government transfers.
| County | Dependency on Transfers (%) | Change Since 2012 | Change Since 1970 | Per Capita Amount (2022) | Per Capita Change Since 2012 | Per Capita Change Since 1970 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Churchill County | 24.9% | 2.7% | 16.6% | $13,491 | $3,727 | $11,527 |
| Clark County | 17% | 1.8% | 12.1% | $10,067 | $2,828 | $8,575 |
| Douglas County | 13.7% | -0.2% | 9.1% | $13,692 | $4,360 | $11,700 |
| Elko County | 14.2% | 4.4% | 8% | $7,677 | $2,593 | $5,966 |
| Esmeralda County | 34% | 14.3% | 27.5% | $20,517 | $9,113 | $18,990 |
| Eureka County | 16.5% | 6.2% | 12% | $8,196 | $3,376 | $6,802 |
| Humboldt County | 17.8% | 5.8% | 11.3% | $9,700 | $3,461 | $7,982 |
| Lander County | 13.2% | 3.2% | 7.9% | $9,719 | $3,723 | $8,372 |
| Lincoln County | 27.3% | 1.2% | 16.7% | $13,233 | $3,752 | $10,949 |
| Lyon County | 23.9% | -0.2% | 17.7% | $11,161 | $2,207 | $9,447 |
| Mineral County | 37.1% | 5.9% | 31.5% | $17,633 | $5,036 | $16,084 |
| Nye County | 35.9% | 2.8% | 31.5% | $15,441 | $3,056 | $14,070 |
| Pershing County | 23.4% | 3.1% | 15.9% | $9,315 | $2,699 | $7,070 |
| Storey County | 12.1% | -6.4% | 4.9% | $9,459 | $643 | $7,300 |
| Washoe County | 12.6% | -1.3% | 6.8% | $9,804 | $2,407 | $7,932 |
| White Pine County | 23.4% | 4.8% | 16.4% | $13,432 | $4,820 | $11,753 |
| Carson City (Independent City) | 21.9% | 3.2% | 16.4% | $13,354 | $3,728 | $11,609 |
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