The largest county in Nevada is Nye County. It is located in the south-central part of the state and is the third-largest county in the United States. It was established in 1864 and named after James W. Nye, a former governor of the Nevada Territory. The county covers an area of 18, 181 square miles and has a population of about 43, 946 people. It is home to the cities of Beatty, Pahrump, and Tonopah.