Photo: Fastily, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsVirginia City by the numbers
- Drive from our Sparks warehouse24 mi, about 37 min via SR 341, I-580, US 395 ALT
- Population644
- Households336
- Homes owned / rented100% / 0%
- Median year built1956
- Median home value$414,300
- Moved in the past year0.3%
- Elevation6,107 ft
- CountyStorey County
- ZIP codes89440, 89521
Data (read 2026-10-19): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates; OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data, free-flow drive from 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks; USGS Elevation Point Query Service.
Virginia City sits at 6,107 feet on SR 341, about 24 miles and 37 minutes from the Sparks warehouse, with ZIP codes 89440 and 89521. The Census Bureau counts every household as an owner, but the sample is small, so treat the figure as approximate. With a median age of 58.2 and a median home value of about $414,300, the town is a place of long-term owners.
Old houses mean questions to ask first
A median year built of 1956 means many homes here predate modern building codes. Ask for the age of the roof, the wiring, the plumbing and the heating system, and ask whether the lot has a historic designation that affects exterior changes. Check the water line material and ask for any recent repairs. A home inspector who knows older mountain houses is worth the fee.
Utilities and trash
Open an electric account through NV Energy's start, stop or transfer page. Storey County's website says the county offers residents annual garbage vouchers, with an option to have them mailed, so ask the county how to enroll. Water is provided by the system serving your address, which you can confirm with the seller or the county. Winter heating costs can be large at this altitude, so ask for twelve months of bills.
Storey County offices and schools
Storey County's mailing address is PO Box 176, Virginia City, NV 89440, and its offices are open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Assessor and the Recorder have pages on the county site. Public schools belong to Storey County School District; contact the district for enrollment, and bring a birth certificate, immunization records and proof of address. Our homestead exemption page explains the protection Nevada offers on a primary home.
DMV: Reno or Carson City
Virginia City is not on the Nevada DMV's list of offices. The nearest metropolitan offices are Reno at 9155 Double Diamond Parkway and Carson City at 555 Wright Way, both open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays by appointment. Nevada gives new residents 30 days for a license and registration, and requires two proofs of Nevada address and Nevada insurance. See driver license.
Steep streets and winter roads
SR 341, the Geiger Grade, climbs from the valley floor to the town. Snow can slow it, so read our winter driving guide. Narrow streets and steps are part of the historic district, which matters when furniture has to come through a doorway; for a note on how crews plan access, see the Virginia City area page.