List of U.S. county secession proposals
Encyclopedia
This is a list of county secession proposals in the United States; that is, proposed new counties to be formed from existing counties within a given state. For counties which want to secede from their current state and join or create another, see List of U.S. state secession proposals.
, to be formed from Greenbrier County, West Virginia
. This political subdivision of the State of West Virginia shall be accomplished by the separation of one or more of the westernmost districts from the existing county. An official name for the county and a county seat have not been selected. Presently, the movement toward separation is not formally organized and is little more than dialog in social circles. Residents cite poor services and oppressive property regulations emanating from the county seat. A glimpse of the western end of the county reveals an area that is culturally stagnant, economically impoverished, and politically disenfranchised. A demographic observation of the area is that of a predominantly low income, blue collar, working class community. Poor infrastructure and little economic development contribute to this area's condition. Separation from the more affluent and economically vibrant eastern end of the county would give the western end a fresh start.
Additional reference: http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2006/01/15/news/b8e59aea3d9f34d9872570f600269668.txt
Alaska
- Chugiak and Eagle River are communities along the Glenn HighwayGlenn Highway-References:* Pasch, A. D., K. C. May. 2001. Taphonomy and paleoenvironment of hadrosaur from the Matanuska Formation in South-Central Alaska. In: Mesozioc Vertebrate Life. Ed.s Tanke, D. H., Carpenter, K., Skrepnick, M. W. Indiana University Press. Pages 219-236.-External links:**...
between Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna ValleyMatanuska-Susitna ValleyMatanuska-Susitna Valley is an area in Southcentral Alaska south of the Alaska Range about 35 miles north of Anchorage, Alaska....
. Originally farming and homesteading communities with a distinct identity, they became better known starting in the 1970s as bedroom communities of Anchorage, and are currently located within its city limits (see below). In the wake of the incorporationMunicipal corporationA municipal corporation is the legal term for a local governing body, including cities, counties, towns, townships, charter townships, villages, and boroughs. Municipal incorporation occurs when such municipalities become self-governing entities under the laws of the state or province in which...
of the Greater Anchorage Area Borough (in 1964) and subsequent efforts to merge the GAAB with Anchorage's city government (which began in 1966), Chugiak and Eagle River residents began their own efforts to attempt to secede from the GAAB. The culmination of these efforts, the Chugiak-Eagle River Borough, incorporated on August 27, 1974 with an area of 820 square miles (2,123.8 km²) and an estimated population of 5,832, before the incorporation was invalidated by the Alaska Supreme CourtAlaska Supreme CourtThe Alaska Supreme Court is the state supreme court in the State of Alaska's judicial department . The supreme court is composed of the chief justice and four associate justices, who are all appointed by the governor of Alaska and face judicial retention elections and who choose one of their own...
on April 14, 1975. Five months later, the reconstituted GAAB and existing cities within its boundaries mergedConsolidated city-countyIn United States local government, a consolidated city–county is a city and county that have been merged into one unified jurisdiction. As such it is simultaneously a city, which is a municipal corporation, and a county, which is an administrative division of a state...
to form the Municipality of Anchorage. The population of Eagle River increased greatly during the 1980s and 1990s. This has led to renewed discussion during the 21st century on the part of Chugiak and Eagle River residents to secede from Anchorage.
Arizona
- Russell PearceRussell PearceRussell Pearce was a Republican Arizona State Senator representing Legislative District 18, which covers most of western and central Mesa and small portions of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Arizona, USA until ousted in a November 2011 recall election by Senator-elect Jerry Lewis...
, a state legislator, has proposed a bill which would ease county splits, as part of his effort to split off the East Valley (Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert and Guadalupe) portion of Maricopa CountyMaricopa County, Arizona-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*73.0% White*5.0% Black*2.1% Native American*3.5% Asian*0.2% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.5% Two or more races*12.7% Other races*29.6% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
. County splitting rules were made more restrictive after the formation of La Paz County, ArizonaLa Paz County, ArizonaLa Paz County is a county in the western part of the U.S. state of Arizona. As of the 2010 census its population was 20,489. The county seat is Parker...
in 1983, which required a significant state investment to keep the county running as the result of its small tax base. - There is an ongoing movement in Lake Havasu City to split from Mohave County.
- In the late 1930s, differences between mining and ranching interests in Cochise County, ArizonaCochise County, Arizona-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*78.5% White*4.2% Black*1.2% Native American*1.9% Asian*0.3% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*4.0% Two or more races*9.6% Other races*32.4% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
spurred a proposal to split the county, with the new county's seat at WillcoxWillcox, ArizonaWillcox is a city in Cochise County, Arizona, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 3,769. Professional wrestler Ted Dibiase lived his formative years in Willcox, as did singer Tanya Tucker.-History:...
, which the state Legislature ultimately rejected. - In the 1980s, a bill was successfully passed in the state legislature to create an all Indian county out of the northern halves of NavajoNavajo County, Arizona-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*49.3% White*0.9% Black*43.4% Native American*0.5% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*2.5% Two or more races*3.3% Other races*10.8% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
and ApacheApache County, Arizona-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*23.3% White*0.2% Black*72.9% Native American*0.3% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*2.0% Two or more races*1.3% Other races*5.8% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
Counties, and the northeastern half of Coconino CountyCoconino County, Arizona-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*61.7% White*1.2% Black*27.3% Native American*1.4% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.1% Two or more races*5.2% Other races*13.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
. Non-Indian communities in the southern region of these counties felt that the Navajo and Hopi Nations do not pay a fair share in local taxes. The bill was vetoed by then governor Bruce BabbittBruce BabbittBruce Edward Babbitt , a Democrat, served as United States Secretary of the Interior and as the 16th governor of Arizona, from 1978 to 1987.-Biography:...
, who placed a five year moratorium on its consideration. Subsequent attempts to revive the bill failed and the issue never resurfaced.
California
- In Northern CaliforniaNorthern CaliforniaNorthern California is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The San Francisco Bay Area , and Sacramento as well as its metropolitan area are the main population centers...
, three proposed county plans failed in the 1990s: Redwood County (western parts of MendocinoMendocino County, CaliforniaMendocino County is a county located on the north coast of the U.S. state of California, north of the greater San Francisco Bay Area and west of the Central Valley. As of the 2010 census, the population was 87,841, up from 86,265 at the 2000 census...
and SonomaSonoma County, CaliforniaSonoma County, located on the northern coast of the U.S. state of California, is the largest and northernmost of the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties. Its population at the 2010 census was 483,878. Its largest city and county seat is Santa Rosa....
counties), Tahoe County (eastern parts of NevadaNevada County, CaliforniaNevada County is a county located in the Sierra Nevada of California, in the Mother Lode country. As of 2010 its population was 98,764. The county seat is Nevada City.-History:Nevada County was created in 1851 from parts of Yuba County....
, PlacerPlacer County, CaliforniaPlacer County is a county located in both the Sacramento Valley and Sierra Nevada regions of the U.S. state of California, in what is known as the Gold Country. It stretches from the suburbs of Sacramento to Lake Tahoe and the Nevada border. Because of the expansion of the Greater Sacramento,...
and El DoradoEl Dorado County, CaliforniaEl Dorado County is a county located in the historic Gold Country in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and foothills of the U.S. state of California. The 2010 population was 181,058. The El Dorado county seat is in Placerville....
counties) and Central Valley County (of western MercedMerced County, CaliforniaMerced County , is a county located in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California, north of Fresno and southeast of San Jose. As of the 2010 census, the population was 255,793, up from 210,554 at the 2000 census. The county seat is Merced...
and FresnoFresno County, CaliforniaFresno County is a county located in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California, south of Stockton and north of Bakersfield. As of the 2010 census, it is the tenth most populous county in California with a population of 930,450, and the sixth largest in size with an area of . The county...
counties). - In Southern CaliforniaSouthern CaliforniaSouthern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
, there are 6 proposed counties across the Los Angeles Metropolitan AreaLos Angeles Metropolitan AreaThe Los Angeles metropolitan area, also known as Metropolitan Los Angeles or the Southland, is the 13th largest metropolitan area in the world and the second-largest metropolitan area in the United States....
, within Los Angeles County (about 4) and Orange County, CaliforniaOrange County, CaliforniaOrange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
(two North/West and East/South halves, its boundary on the Newport Freeway or Laguna Freeway). - Mission County, California, to be formed from the northern portion of Santa Barbara County, CaliforniaSanta Barbara County, CaliforniaSanta Barbara County is a county located in the southern portion of the U.S. state of California, on the Pacific coast. As of 2010 the county had a population of 423,895. The county seat is Santa Barbara and the largest city is Santa Maria.-History:...
. - High Desert County, California, to be formed largely from northern Los Angeles County, CaliforniaLos Angeles County, CaliforniaLos Angeles County is a county in the U.S. state of California. As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 9,818,605, making it the most populous county in the United States. Los Angeles County alone is more populous than 42 individual U.S. states...
as well as portions of San Bernardino County, CaliforniaSan Bernardino County, CaliforniaSan Bernardino County is a county in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2010 census, the population was 2,035,210, up from 1,709,434 as of the 2000 census...
and Kern County, CaliforniaKern County, CaliforniaSpreading across the southern end of the California Central Valley, Kern County is the fifth-largest county by population in California. Its economy is heavily linked to agriculture and to petroleum extraction, and there is a strong aviation and space presence. Politically, it has generally...
. Proposed by late state senator Pete KnightWilliam J. KnightWilliam J. "Pete" Knight was a U.S. politician, combat pilot, test pilot, and astronaut. Knight holds the world's speed record for flight in a winged, powered aircraft...
(cf.) in 2002. - A writer to the Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles TimesThe Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
in 1997 indicated a sentiment from south Orange County, CaliforniaOrange County, CaliforniaOrange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
residents that they would seek to secede from the county if it insisted on building a new airport on the former site of Marine Corps Air Station El ToroMarine Corps Air Station El ToroMarine Corps Air Station El Toro was a United States Marine Corps Air Station located near Irvine, California.Before it was decommissioned in 1999, it was the home of Marine Corps aviation on the West Coast. Designated as a Master Jet Station, its four runways could handle the largest aircraft...
. The airport plan was eventually discarded in favor of the Orange County Great ParkOrange County Great ParkThe Orange County Great Park is the official name of a plan for the public, non-aviation reuse of the decommissioned Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in Irvine, California. The county park will comprise just 28.8% of the total that made up the old MCAS El Toro base. It is a $1.1 billion project...
plan. - Prior to the formation of Orange County, CaliforniaOrange County, CaliforniaOrange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
, residents of Anaheim, CaliforniaAnaheim, CaliforniaAnaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
in 1870 pushed a bill in the state assembly for the creation of an Anaheim County, California. The proposal had the support of San Francisco. - An attempt in the late 19th century (1870-80?) to create "San Antonio County" in present-day Los Angeles and San Bernardino countiesSan Bernardino County, CaliforniaSan Bernardino County is a county in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2010 census, the population was 2,035,210, up from 1,709,434 as of the 2000 census...
. - In 2002, residents of the city of CoronaCorona, CaliforniaCorona is a city in Riverside County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 152,374, up from 124,966 at the 2000 census...
proposed Corona County to include the western edge of Riverside CountyRiverside County, CaliforniaRiverside County is a county in the U.S. state of California. One of 58 California counties, it covers in the southern part of the state, and stretches from Orange County to the Colorado River, which forms the state border with Arizona. The county derives its name from the city of Riverside,...
. - In the late 1980s, some residents of the Coachella ValleyCoachella ValleyCoachella Valley is a large valley landform in Southern California. The valley extends for approximately 45 miles in Riverside County southeast from the San Bernardino Mountains to the saltwater Salton Sea, the largest lake in California...
of Riverside County failed to create a new county: Cahuilla CountyCahuilla County, CaliforniaCahuilla County was a proposed county initiated by the residents of eastern Riverside County, California in the 1980s. It was named after the Cahuilla people, being the homeland of the Native American Tribe for over 2,000 years.-Boundaries:...
. - In 1988, there was a serious effort, including a vote on the subject, to divide San Bernardino CountySan Bernardino County, CaliforniaSan Bernardino County is a county in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2010 census, the population was 2,035,210, up from 1,709,434 as of the 2000 census...
into its urban Southwestern corner, which would have retained the name, and a new Mojave CountyMohave County, CaliforniaMohave County was a proposal in the 1980s that would have split the northern and eastern 90% of San Bernardino County, currently the largest county in area in the contiguous United States, from the more urbanized southwestern 10%..Proponents of the measure argued that their region was far too...
to comprise the vast, sparsely populated Northern and Eastern portions. - Proposed counties in the L.A. County: High Desert County north of the Pacific Crest Trail, Long Beach or Los Cerritos County(southeast corner) up to the Pomona Freeway, San Gabriel County down to the Santa Ana Freeway, South Bay or Palos Verdes County (southwest corner) and western corner of L.A. County where Malibu, California is located could be Malibu or Topanga County.
Georgia
- Milton County, GeorgiaMilton County, GeorgiaMilton County was a county of the U.S. state of Georgia from 1857 to 1931. It was created on December 18, 1857 from parts of northeastern Cobb, southeastern Cherokee, and southwestern Forsyth counties. The county was named for John Milton, Secretary of State of Georgia from 1777 to 1799...
once existed, but in the 1930s it merged (along with other counties and towns) with Fulton County, GeorgiaFulton County, GeorgiaFulton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. Its county seat is Atlanta, the state capital since 1868 and the principal county of the Atlanta metropolitan area...
, in the 1930s to save money during the Great DepressionGreat DepressionThe Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. More recently, land-use and other divisions have inspired discussion of the re-establishment of Milton County. - In Gwinnett County there is an active movement for the secession of the more affluent Northern portion of the county, which feels it is poorly represented in the LawrencevilleLawrenceville, GeorgiaLawrenceville is a city in and the county seat of Gwinnett County, Georgia, in the United States. The Census Bureau estimates the 2008 population at 29,258...
government despite the large amount of tax revenue derived from the area.
Hawaii
- In 2006, residents of unincorporated west Hawaii County, HawaiiHawaii County, HawaiiHawaii County is a county located in the U.S. state of Hawaii in the Hawaiian Islands. It is coterminous with the Island of Hawaii, often called the "Big Island" to distinguish it from the state as a whole. As of the 2010 Census the population was 185,079. The county seat is Hilo. There are no...
, which currently encompasses all of Hawaii Island, met to propose the formation of West Hawaii County. The recent movement reportedly has the support of at least one state senator. Critics argue the region's concerns could be satisfied simply by municipal corporationMunicipal corporationA municipal corporation is the legal term for a local governing body, including cities, counties, towns, townships, charter townships, villages, and boroughs. Municipal incorporation occurs when such municipalities become self-governing entities under the laws of the state or province in which...
.
Illinois
- Lincoln County: Southern Cook County, IllinoisCook County, IllinoisCook County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois, with its county seat in Chicago. It is the second most populous county in the United States after Los Angeles County. The county has 5,194,675 residents, which is 40.5 percent of all Illinois residents. Cook County's population is larger than...
communities, upset at ChicagoChicagoChicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
-centric policies of the county government, petitioned in 2004 to split off the southern portion of the county. The southern communities argue they are in financial ruin due to bad policies limiting their ability to attract business, but critics contend that the area's problems stem from rampant city corruption.
Indiana
- In a 2004 meeting of the Putnam County, IndianaPutnam County, IndianaAs of the census of 2000, there were 36,019 people, 12,374 households, and 9,119 families residing in the county. The population density was 75 people per square mile . There were 13,505 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile...
commissioners, the sentiment of splitting the county, in order to fairly distribute innkeepers' tax, is alluded to, but rejected as an invalid matter for the council.
Kansas
- Garfield CountyGarfield County, KansasGarfield County, Kansas, was a county in western Kansas that was organized in 1887 and then merged into Finney County, Kansas in 1893. It consisted of what is now the eastern portion of Finney County north of Gray County, Kansas....
: In 1887, the area around Ravanna, KansasRavanna, KansasRavanna is an Ghost Town in Finney County, Kansas, United States. Ravanna is east-northeast of Garden City....
and Eminence, Kansas split from Buffalo County, Kansas (now split among LaneLane County, KansasLane County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 1,750. The county seat is Dighton, the only city in the county. Lane County was named after James H. Lane who was a leader of the Jayhawker abolitionist movement and served as one of...
, FinneyFinney County, KansasFinney County is a county located in Southwest Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 36,776. Its county seat and most populous city is Garden City...
, and GrayGray County, KansasGray County is a county located in Southwest Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 6,006...
counties) and organized into Garfield County. Both towns were of equal influence, and contested the award of county seat. An election that year, which involved 20 Dodge City deputies including Bat MastersonBat MastersonWilliam Barclay "Bat" Masterson was a figure of the American Old West known as a buffalo hunter, U.S. Marshal and Army scout, avid fisherman, gambler, frontier lawman, and sports editor and columnist for the New York Morning Telegraph...
, found Ravanna to have the lead. However, Eminence discovered that illegal votes had been cast for Ravanna, and in 1889 the state supreme court overturned 60 votes, awarding Garfield County seat to Eminence. In a doomsday move, Ravanna countered by hiring surveyors to determine that the new county's land area was under the minimum allowed at the time. In 1893 the Kansas state legislature invalidated the county and annexed it to FinneyFinney County, KansasFinney County is a county located in Southwest Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 36,776. Its county seat and most populous city is Garden City...
. Today, both Ravanna and Eminence are ghost townGhost townA ghost town is an abandoned town or city. A town often becomes a ghost town because the economic activity that supported it has failed, or due to natural or human-caused disasters such as floods, government actions, uncontrolled lawlessness, war, or nuclear disasters...
s.
Maryland
- Throughout the history of Garrett County, MarylandGarrett County, MarylandGarrett County is the westernmost county of the U.S. state of Maryland. Created from Allegany County, Maryland in 1872 it was the last Maryland county to be formed. It was named for John Work Garrett , railroad executive, industrialist, and financier. Garrett served as president of the Baltimore...
and Allegany County, MarylandAllegany County, MarylandAllegany County is a county located in the northwestern part of the US state of Maryland. It is part of the Cumberland, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 75,087. Its county seat is Cumberland...
, the two most western counties in Maryland, residents have considered themselves West Virginians. Even though the counties have never been part of West VirginiaWest VirginiaWest Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
, most residents feel stronger family and cultural ties to West Virgina. Due to the drastic difference in not only geography, income, population, and cultural norms between the eastern and western parts of Maryland, these residents often do not feel equally represented in the state assembly in Annapolis, MarylandAnnapolis, MarylandAnnapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
.
Massachusetts
- Throughout the history of Worcester County, MassachusettsWorcester County, Massachusetts-Demographics:In 1990 Worcester County had a population of 709,705.As of the census of 2000, there were 750,963 people, 283,927 households, and 192,502 families residing in the county. The population density was 496 people per square mile . There were 298,159 housing units at an average density...
, the largest by area in the state, residents of the northern part of the county have pushed for a split. This never occurred, and is now a moot point as, like some other New EnglandNew EnglandNew England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
counties, the county government has been dissolved and its responsibilities assumed by the state.
Minnesota
- Residents of Florence Township, MinnesotaFlorence Township, MinnesotaFlorence Township is a township in Goodhue County, Minnesota. The population was 1,450 at the 2000 census. A small part of the city of Lake City extends geographically within the township, but is a separate entity...
began a petition to secede from Goodhue County, MinnesotaGoodhue County, MinnesotaGoodhue County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 46,183. Its county seat is Red Wing. Nearly all of Prairie Island Indian Community is within the county.-History:...
over plans to locate a nuclear waste disposal site in the area. - There appears to have been a proposal to split Pine County, MinnesotaPine County, MinnesotaAs of the census of 2000, there were 26,530 people, 9,939 households, and 6,917 families residing in the county. The population density was 19 people per square mile . There were 15,353 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile...
in 2000, which prompted a change in county formation laws. http://www.angelfire.com/mn2/cupc/ http://www.pinecounty.org/Minutes/2003Minutes/082803Special.htm
Nevada
- Residents of Nye County, NevadaNye County, Nevada-National protected areas:* Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge* Death Valley National Park * Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest * Spring Mountains National Recreation Area -Demographics:...
, mainly in Pahrump, NevadaPahrump, Nevada-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 24,631 people, 10,153 households, and 7,127 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 82.7 people per square mile . There were 11,651 housing units at an average density of 39.1 per square mile...
and Tonopah, NevadaTonopah, NevadaTonopah is a census-designated place located in and the county seat of Nye County, Nevada. It is located at the junction of U.S. Routes 6 and 95 approximately mid-way between Las Vegas and Reno....
, have pushed as recently as 2001 for a north-south county split, perhaps with the northern portion merging with Esmeralda County, NevadaEsmeralda County, NevadaEsmeralda County is a county in the west of U.S. state of Nevada. Its county seat is Goldfield. Its 2000 census population was officially 971, making its population density 0.1045 inhabitants/km² , the second-lowest of any county-equivalent outside of Alaska. As of 2010, the population had...
. While laws making it easier to form new counties have passed since then, this split has not occurred. Nye is the largest county in Nevada and the third largest in the entire U.S., though over 90% is federal land.
New Jersey
- The municipalities of western Essex CountyEssex County, New JerseyEssex County is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the United States 2010 Census, the population was 783,969, ranking it third in the state after Bergen County and Middlesex County; Essex County's population has declined from 786,147 as of the bureau's...
have discussed secession from the county, to create a new West Essex County, spurred mainly by a belief that tax laws benefit the eastern portions of the county at the expense of the western municipalities. Currently, this idea is essentially a dead movement - The residents of South Jersey in the counties of Cape May, Cumberland, Salem, Atlantic, Camden, Gloucester, and Burlington have had a long resentment toward North Jersey under the opinion that they are being slighted and ignored by the state government, which is heavily weighted toward North Jersey. As recently as 1980 it a non-binding referendum proposing secession from North JerseyNorth JerseyNorth Jersey is a colloquial term, with no precise consensus definition, for the northern portion of the U.S. state of New Jersey. A straightforward, noncolloquial term for the region is northern New Jersey.- Two-portion approaches :...
was passed by these counties. It was also voted on in Ocean County, but did not pass in Ocean County.
New York
- Adirondack County, New YorkAdirondack County, New YorkAdirondack County is a proposed new county in New York to be formed out of town of North Elba of Essex County and other surrounding towns that have economies based on tourism. In 2007, North Elba Town Supervisor Shirley Seney stated that such an administrative restructuring could be used as a means...
, to be formed from northern Essex County, New YorkEssex County, New YorkEssex County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 39,370. Its name is from the English county of Essex. Its county seat is Elizabethtown...
and southern Franklin County, New YorkFranklin County, New YorkFranklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 51,599. It is named in honor of American Founding Father Benjamin Franklin...
. - Peconic County, New YorkPeconic County, New YorkPeconic County is a proposed new county in New York that would secede the five easternmost towns of Suffolk County: East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southampton and Southold, plus the Shinnecock Indian Reservation....
, to be formed from the rural eastern portion of Suffolk County, New YorkSuffolk County, New YorkSuffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York on the eastern portion of Long Island. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,493,350. It was named for the county of Suffolk in England, from which its earliest settlers came...
. - While not technically a matter of county secession, Richmond County, New York, which encompasses Staten IslandStaten IslandStaten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
and is a boroughBoroughA borough is an administrative division in various countries. In principle, the term borough designates a self-governing township although, in practice, official use of the term varies widely....
of New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, voted in 1990 to begin the process of seceding from the city.
Ohio
- In 1818, residents of the Barnesville, OhioBarnesville, OhioBarnesville is a village in Belmont County, Ohio, United States. It is part of the Wheeling, West Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 4,225 at the 2000 census...
greater area petitioned the state legislature for a new county seated at the city and formed from parts of Belmont County, OhioBelmont County, OhioBelmont County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. It is part of the Wheeling, West Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 70,400. Its county seat is St. Clairsville...
, Guernsey County, OhioGuernsey County, OhioGuernsey County is a county located in the state of Ohio. As of 2010, the population was 40,087. Its county seat is Cambridge and is named for the Isle of Guernsey in the English Channel, from which many of the county's early settlers came....
and Monroe County, OhioMonroe County, OhioMonroe County is a county located in the state of Ohio. As of the 2010 census, the population was 14,642. Its county seat is Woodsfield and is named for James Monroe, Secretary of State when the county was formed and later President of the United States....
. The proposal was rejected.
Oregon
- In 2001, David Dillon, editor of the The North Coast Citizen newspaper, proposed a new county be formed from the northern portion of Tillamook County, OregonTillamook County, OregonTillamook County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The county is named for the Tillamook, a Native American tribe who were living in the area in the early 19th century at the time of European American settlement. In 2010, the county's population was 25,250...
. Discussion and research on the new county, which was never named, stalled in 2002.
- In 1984, an effort was stopped by its promoter Wilbur Ternyik at the request of the governor as it was to assured to succeed in forming McCall County out of the western portion of Lane CountyLane County, Oregon-National protected areas:*Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge *Siuslaw National Forest *Umpqua National Forest *Willamette National Forest -Government:...
and Douglas CountyDouglas County, Oregon-National protected areas:* Crater Lake National Park * Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest * Siuslaw National Forest * Umpqua National Forest * Willamette National Forest -Adjacent counties:* Lane County, Oregon -...
. Lane County alone is the size of ConnecticutConnecticutConnecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
or of DelawareDelawareDelaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
and Rhode IslandRhode IslandThe state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
combined; 4620 square miles.
- In 2005, was the next effort in the 100 year long desire for the western portion to gain independence from the Eugene centered/serving Lane County. This effort was to take a quarter of Lane County forming Siuslaw County; roughly 1,000 square miles. Chief petitioner Keith Stanton was unable to gather the needed 50%+1 signatures of those registered to vote and living within the proposed new county area. No foundation work was done in the hopes the citizens knew what they wanted and only needed to learn it was within their grasp.
Tennessee
- Neshoba County, to be formed from part of Shelby County, TennesseeShelby County, TennesseeShelby County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the state's largest both in terms of population and geographic area, with a population of 927,644 at the 2010 census...
. Its formation was threatened in 1990 by rural communities after the city of Memphis, TennesseeMemphis, TennesseeMemphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
proposed that the city's financially struggling school district merge with that of the county, which continues to be repeatedly considered.
Virginia
- Catoctin County, VirginiaCatoctin County, VirginiaCatoctin County is the name of a proposed new county in Northern Virginia that would be formed from the western portions of Loudoun County.Under the proposal, the area of Loudoun County west of the Catoctin Mountain watershed, known as the Loudoun Valley would be separated from the portion of the...
, to be formed from western Loudoun County, VirginiaLoudoun County, VirginiaLoudoun County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and is part of the Washington Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county is estimated to be home to 312,311 people, an 84 percent increase over the 2000 figure of 169,599. That increase makes the county the fourth...
, in response to the voiding of zoning measures intended to slow growth in the area. - During the desegregationDesegregationDesegregation is the process of ending the separation of two groups usually referring to races. This is most commonly used in reference to the United States. Desegregation was long a focus of the American Civil Rights Movement, both before and after the United States Supreme Court's decision in...
era, the town of Ivor, VirginiaIvor, VirginiaIvor is an incorporated town in Southampton County, Virginia, United States. The population was 320 at the 2000 census.- Overview :Popular legend has it that William Mahone , builder of the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad , and his cultured wife, Otelia Butler Mahone , who had been raised in...
threatened to secede from Southampton County, VirginiaSouthampton County, VirginiaAs of the census of 2010, there were 18,570 people, 6,279 households, and 4,502 families residing in the county. The population density was 29 people per square mile . There were 7,058 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile...
after a consolidated and integrated county high school was built in the late 1950s.
Washington
- Cascade County, WashingtonCascade County, WashingtonCedar County, Washington was the name of a proposed new county to be carved out of the eastern and mostly rural portion of King County, Washington, USA...
, to be formed in the rural eastern portion of King County, WashingtonKing County, WashingtonKing County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. The population in the 2010 census was 1,931,249. King is the most populous county in Washington, and the 14th most populous in the United States....
, leaving some portion of the Seattle metropolitan area behind. - Cedar County, Washington, a prior, similar proposal in King County.
- Freedom County, WashingtonFreedom County, WashingtonFreedom County is a secessionist portion of Snohomish County, Washington, United States declared to exist as of April 23, 1995. Its existence has not been recognized by Snohomish County, the state of Washington, or the federal government...
, to be formed from the eastern portion of Snohomish County, WashingtonSnohomish County, WashingtonSnohomish County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. It is named after the Snohomish tribe. Since 2000, the county's population has grown from 606,024 to 713,335 residents , making it one of the fastest-growing in the state, ranking third in overall population after King and...
. Freedom has gone so far as to form a provisional county government. - Skykomish County, WashingtonSkykomish County, WashingtonSkykomish County is a county proposed to be carved out of Snohomish and King Counties in Washington state, USA. The name comes from the Skykomish River, which flows through the proposed county's boundaries....
, to be formed from southeastern Snohomish and northeastern King counties. - Pioneer County, Washington, to be formed from the northwest corner of Whatcom County, WashingtonWhatcom County, WashingtonWhatcom County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. Its name ultimately derives from the Lummi word Xwotʼqom, meaning "noisy water." As of 2010, the population was 201,140. The county seat is at Bellingham, which is also the county's largest city...
. - Independence County, WashingtonIndependence County, WashingtonIndependence County is a proposed county to be created from the northwest corner of Whatcom County, Washington. The proposal had the most momentum in the county elections of 1993, when secessionist interests won a majority of votes on the County Council....
, to be formed form the east portion of Whatcom County. Both Pioneer and Independence movements cite poor services and oppressive property regulations, plus favoritism towards Bellingham, WashingtonBellingham, WashingtonBellingham is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Whatcom County in the U.S. state of Washington. It is the twelfth-largest city in the state. Situated on Bellingham Bay, Bellingham is protected by Lummi Island, Portage Island, and the Lummi Peninsula, and opens onto the Strait of Georgia...
as reasons for their proposals. Both are rumored to be backed by land developers.
West Virginia
Western Greenbrier County, West VirginiaWest Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
, to be formed from Greenbrier County, West Virginia
Greenbrier County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 34,453 people, 14,571 households, and 9,922 families residing in the county. The population density was 34 people per square mile . There were 17,644 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile...
. This political subdivision of the State of West Virginia shall be accomplished by the separation of one or more of the westernmost districts from the existing county. An official name for the county and a county seat have not been selected. Presently, the movement toward separation is not formally organized and is little more than dialog in social circles. Residents cite poor services and oppressive property regulations emanating from the county seat. A glimpse of the western end of the county reveals an area that is culturally stagnant, economically impoverished, and politically disenfranchised. A demographic observation of the area is that of a predominantly low income, blue collar, working class community. Poor infrastructure and little economic development contribute to this area's condition. Separation from the more affluent and economically vibrant eastern end of the county would give the western end a fresh start.
Wyoming
- Wind River County, to be formed from eastern Fremont County, Wyoming, with county seat at Riverton, WyomingRiverton, WyomingRiverton is a city in Fremont County, Wyoming, United States. It is both the largest city in the county and the largest within the historical boundaries of the Wind River Indian Reservation. The city's population was 9,310 at the 2000 census...
. Riverton and Lander, WyomingLander, WyomingLander is a city in, and the county seat of, Fremont County, Wyoming, United States. Named for transcontinental explorer Frederick W. Lander, Lander is located in central Wyoming, along the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River. A tourism center with several dude ranches nearby, Lander is located just...
, which as county seat would remain in Fremont County, are rival towns. - Residents of Wright, WyomingWright, WyomingWright is a town in Campbell County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 1,504 at the 2010 census.- History :Settlement began in the area near Wright in the 1970s, with the creation of the Black Thunder Coal Mine, the largest mine in the Powder River Basin and most productive mine in the...
proposed a split from Campbell County, Wyoming in 2005. - In 2004, state senator Stan CooperStan CooperStan Cooper is a State Senator in Wyoming.Cooper was born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. Cooper graduated from Utah State University in 1967 with a bachelors degree in business administration. From 1971 to 1994 he was the owner of Sublette Electric.Cooper is a Latter-day Saint...
introduced a bill to form Fossil County from the southern half of Lincoln County, Wyoming, which failed.
Additional reference: http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2006/01/15/news/b8e59aea3d9f34d9872570f600269668.txt