81-508: 36°9′55″N 115°9′13″W / 36.16528°N 115.15361°W / 36.16528; -115.15361 The Clark County Government Center serves as the government center building for Clark County, Nevada . It is located in Downtown Las Vegas . The 350,000-square-foot (33,000 m) complex was designed by Fentress Bradburn and opened in 1995. It consists of a six-story county administration building, three one-story buildings for
162-505: A Mormon Fort at Las Vegas . In the 1860s, Mormon colonies were established along the Virgin and Muddy Rivers . All of the county was part of Mohave County , Arizona Territory , when that Territory was formed in 1863, before Nevada became a state. In 1865, it became part of Pah-Ute County, Arizona Territory . The part of Pah-Ute County north and west of the Colorado River was assigned to
243-499: A female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.20. In the city, the population age distribution was as follows: The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.5 males. The median income for
324-455: A household in the city was $ 53,000 and the median income for a family was $ 58,465. Males had a median income of $ 35,511 versus $ 27,554 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 22,060. About 6.6% of families and 8.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over. According to a 2004 study, Las Vegas has one of the highest divorce rates. The city's high divorce rate
405-433: A household in the county was $ 53,536, and the median income for a family was $ 59,485. Males had a median income of $ 35,243 versus $ 27,077 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 21,785. About 7.9% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.1% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those over age 64. Large numbers of new residents in the state originate from California. As of
486-489: A movement to encourage xeriscapes . Another part of conservation efforts is scheduled watering days for residential landscaping. A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant in 2008 funded a program that analyzed and forecast growth and environmental effects through 2019. Las Vegas has a subtropical hot desert climate ( Köppen climate classification : BWh ), typical of the Mojave Desert in which it lies. This climate
567-549: A second full term in the U. S. Senate. However, Democratic challenger Jacky Rosen won Clark by over 92,000 votes, almost double her statewide margin of 48,000 votes. In that year's gubernatorial election, Democrat Steve Sisolak lost 15 out of 17 county-level jurisdictions, but won Clark by enough of a margin to get the victory. Since 2008, the Democratic presidential candidate has won Clark by more than enough votes to carry Nevada. The city of Las Vegas itself leans Democratic, as do
648-597: A separate municipal court for traffic and criminal misdemeanor offenses that occur within the city's incorporated boundaries. The Clark County Marshal's Office provides security for Clark County courts. The Marshal is head of the office, while Deputy Marshals act as bailiffs for the court. According to the Secretary of State's office, Independents comprise a plurality of registered voters in Clark County. With nearly three-quarters of Nevada's population, Clark County plays
729-476: A significant role in determining statewide Nevada elections as well the winner of the state's electoral votes in presidential elections. At the presidential level, the county, like most urban counties nationwide, leans Democratic. The last Republican to carry the county was George H. W. Bush in 1988. However, it is somewhat less Democratic than many other urban counties; the GOP candidate has received at least 39 percent of
810-878: A wagon route through the County that became the Mormon Road . In 1849, this road became known as the "Southern Route", the winter route of the California Trail from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles during the California Gold Rush . By the mid-1850s, the route now known as the Salt Lake Road in California, and the California Road in Utah Territory , was a wagon trade route between the two. In the mid-1850s, Mormons established
891-586: Is 95 °F (35 °C) on July 19, 2005, and July 1, 2013. The official record cold daily maximum is 28 °F (−2 °C) on January 8 and 21, 1937. July 2024 was the hottest month ever recorded in Las Vegas, with its highest recorded mean daily average temperature over the month of 99.9 °F (38 °C), its highest recorded mean daily maximum temperature of 111.5 °F (44 °C), and its highest recorded mean nightly minimum temperature of 88.3 °F (31 °C). Due to concerns about climate change in
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#1732852426075972-409: Is a desert. Creosote bushes are the main native vegetation, and the mountains are mostly rocky with little vegetation. The terrain slopes to the south and east. The county has an area of 20,879 km (8,061 sq mi), of which 20,438 km (7,891 sq mi) is land and 441 km (170 sq mi) (2.1%) is water. Twenty official wilderness areas in Clark County are part of
1053-576: Is abundant in all seasons. December is both the year's coolest and cloudiest month, with an average daytime high of 56.9 °F (13.8 °C) and sunshine occurring during 78% of its daylight hours. Winter evenings are defined by clear skies and swift drops in temperature after sunset, with overnight minima averaging around 40 °F (4.4 °C) in December and January. Owing to its elevation that ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 feet (610 to 910 m), Las Vegas experiences markedly cooler winters than other areas of
1134-507: Is approximately 2,030 ft (620 m) above sea level, though the surrounding peaks reach elevations of over 10,000 feet (3,000 m) and act as barriers to the strong flow of moisture from the surrounding area. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has an area of 135.86 sq mi (351.9 km ), of which 135.81 sq mi (351.7 km ) is land and 0.05 sq mi (0.13 km ) (0.03%)
1215-540: Is credited as the first non- Native American to encounter the valley, in 1829. Trader Antonio Armijo led a 60-man party along the Spanish Trail to Los Angeles , California, in 1829. In 1844, John C. Frémont arrived, and his writings helped lure pioneers to the area. Downtown Las Vegas's Fremont Street is named after him. Eleven years later, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chose Las Vegas as
1296-567: Is home to many gaming-related companies including Golden Entertainment , American Casino & Entertainment Properties , Bally Technologies , Cannery Casino Resorts , The Majestic Star Casino, LLC , Ameristar Casinos , Archon Corporation , Boyd Gaming , Las Vegas Sands , MGM Resorts International , Wynn Resorts , DBT Online Inc. , Two Plus Two Publishing , Gambler's Book Shop / GBC Press , Station Casinos , Millennium Management Group , Navegante Group , Pinnacle Entertainment and Tropicana Entertainment . According to data collected by
1377-435: Is marked by significant diurnal temperature variation . While less extreme than other parts of the state, nighttime lows in Las Vegas are often 30 °F (16.7 °C) or more lower than daytime highs. The average hottest night of the year is 90 °F (32 °C). The all-time record is at 95 °F (35 °C). Las Vegas winters are relatively short, with typically mild daytime temperatures and chilly nights. Sunshine
1458-467: Is not wholly due to Las Vegans themselves getting divorced. Since divorce is easier in Nevada than in most other states, many people come from across the country for the easier process. Similarly, Nevada marriages are notoriously easy to get. Las Vegas has one of the highest marriage rates of U.S. cities, with many licenses issued to people from outside the area (see Las Vegas weddings ). The primary drivers of
1539-524: Is organized around a multifunctional County courtyard and shaded pedestrian spine. The shaded, circular arcade supplements the circular form of the buildings. Aligned radially with the columns are three rows of trees framing a sloped lawn amphitheater. A centered raised platform creates the stage. The amphitheater is an acre and a half in area and 280 feet (85 m) in diameter. It has accommodated public gatherings and performances. The Center has received awards including “Best Non-Hotel Architecture” and
1620-659: Is responsible for policing all buildings and parks operated by the county and some selected special venues, such as the Clark County Amphitheater, Clark County Archery Range, and the Desert Rose Golf Course. The Regional Justice Center replaced the Clark County Courthouse in 2005, and is about 3 blocks from downtown Fremont Street, at 200 Lewis Avenue. The Clark County Justice Courts are divided into eleven townships. Each elects its own justices of
1701-399: Is typified by long, extremely hot summers; warm transitional seasons; and short winters with mild days and cool nights. There is abundant sunshine throughout the year, with an average of 310 sunny days and bright sunshine during 86% of all daylight hours. Rainfall is scarce, with an average of 4.2 in (110 mm) dispersed between roughly 26 total rainy days per year. Las Vegas is among
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#17328524260751782-493: Is water. After Alaska and California, Nevada is the third most seismically active state in the U.S. It has been estimated by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) that over the next 50 years, there is a 10–20% chance of an M6.0 or greater earthquake occurring within 50 km (31 mi) of Las Vegas. Within the city are many lawns, trees, and other greenery. Due to water resource issues, there has been
1863-640: The 2010 Census , the racial composition of Las Vegas was as follows: Source: The city's most populous ethnic group, non-Hispanic Whites, have proportionally declined from 72.1% of the population in 1990 to 47.9% in 2010, even as total numbers of all ethnicities have increased with the population. Hispanics or Latinos of any race make up 31.5% of the population. Of those 24.0% are of Mexican, 1.4% of Salvadoran, 0.9% of Puerto Rican, 0.9% of Cuban, 0.6% of Guatemalan, 0.2% of Peruvian, 0.2% of Colombian, 0.2% of Honduran and 0.2% of Nicaraguan descent. According to research by demographer William H. Frey using data from
1944-450: The 2010 United States Census , Las Vegas has the second-lowest level of black-white segregation of any of the 100 largest U.S. metropolitan areas after Tucson, Arizona . Of the city's Asian residents, according to the city's Asian Chamber of Commerce, Filipinos make up the largest ethnic population within Vegas with over 200,000 in the city. Native Hawaiians are also a major demographic in
2025-532: The 2010 United States Census , there were 1,951,269 people, 715,365 households, and 467,916 families in the county. The population density was 247.3 inhabitants per square mile (95.5/km ). There were 840,343 housing units at an average density of 106.5 per square mile (41.1/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 60.9% White, 13.5% Black or African American, 8.7% Asian, 0.7% Pacific islander, 0.7% American Indian, 10.5% from other races, and 5.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 29.1% of
2106-543: The 2020 census , the population was 2,265,461. Most of the county population resides in the Las Vegas Census County Divisions, which has 2,196,623 people as of the 2020 Census. It is by far the most populous county in Nevada, and the 11th-most populous county in the United States . It covers 7% of the state's land area but holds 73% of the state's population, making Nevada the most centralized state in
2187-531: The Las Vegas Strip just outside city limits. The Las Vegas Valley as a whole serves as the leading financial, commercial, and cultural center for Nevada. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city had 641,903 residents in 2020, with a metropolitan population of 2,227,053, making it the 25th-most populous city in the United States. The city bills itself as the Entertainment Capital of
2268-463: The Las Vegas Wash . Since 1999 the group has added more the 15,000 plants to stabilize the wash's banks and restore and expand the wetlands surrounding the wash. As part of the effort to restore the wash to a more natural state, they have removed more than 500,000 pounds (230,000 kg) of trash. The Grant Sawyer State Office Building , which houses many branches of state government, is within
2349-420: The Mojave Desert and the adjacent Sonoran Desert that are closer to sea level. The city records freezing temperatures an average of 10 nights per winter. It is exceptionally rare for temperatures to reach or fall below 25 °F (−4 °C). Most of the annual precipitation falls during the winter. February, the wettest month, averages only four days of measurable rain. The mountains immediately surrounding
2430-694: The National Wilderness Preservation System . Many of these are in, or partially in, one of the preceding protected areas, as shown below. Many are separate entities that are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM): Clark County has diverse desert flora and fauna , including higher-elevation mountain areas, the desert floor, and the Colorado River / Lake Mead ecosystems. Variations in diurnal temperature as well as seasonal swings in temperature create demanding adaptation elements on
2511-682: The Northern Club (now the La Bayou ) opened. The most notable of the early casinos may have been Binion's Horseshoe (now Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel ) while it was run by Benny Binion . Boyd Gaming has a major presence downtown operating the California Hotel & Casino , the Fremont Hotel & Casino , and the Main Street Casino . The Four Queens also operates downtown along
Clark County Government Center - Misplaced Pages Continue
2592-588: The Office of Management and Budget and used by the United States Census Bureau and other agencies for statistical purposes. Over time and influenced by climate change , droughts in Southern Nevada have been increasing in frequency and severity, putting a further strain on Clark County's and Las Vegas's water security . The Colorado River forms the county's southeastern boundary, with Hoover Dam forming Lake Mead along much of its length. The lowest point in
2673-423: The old City Hall building. Las Vegas is the county seat of Clark County , in a basin on the floor of the Mojave Desert , and is surrounded by mountain ranges. Much of the landscape is rocky and arid, with desert vegetation and wildlife. It can be subjected to torrential flash floods, although much has been done to mitigate the effects of flash floods through improved drainage systems. The city's elevation
2754-405: The species of this county. Population expansion , especially since 1970, has placed additional pressure on species in the area. Correspondingly, air quality levels prior to the 1960s were in a favorable range, but the proliferation of automobiles with the human population expansion created circumstances where some federal air quality standards were violated starting in the 1980s. To plan for
2835-589: The unincorporated community of Paradise . Native Americans lived in the Las Vegas Valley beginning over 10,000 years ago. Paiutes moved into the area as early as AD 700. Previously part of the Mexican Territory of Alta California , the Clark County lands were subsequently traversed by American beaver trappers. Word of their journeys inspired the New Mexican merchant Antonio Armijo in 1829 to establish
2916-667: The City of Las Vegas. Las Vegas Las Vegas , colloquially referred to as Vegas , is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and the seat of Clark County . The Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area is the largest within the greater Mojave Desert , and second-largest in the Southwestern United States . Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city , known primarily for its gambling , shopping, fine dining, entertainment, and nightlife , with most venues centered on downtown Las Vegas and more to
2997-583: The Colorado to a series of creeks, waterholes and springs like those at Las Vegas , to which John C. Frémont added Frémont's Cutoff on his return from California to Utah in 1844. What is now Clark County was acquired by the United States during the Mexican–American War , becoming part of the northwestern corner of New Mexico Territory . In 1847, Jefferson Hunt and other Mormon Battalion members returning to Salt Lake City from Los Angeles pioneered
3078-641: The Fremont Street Experience, was granted variances to allow bars to be closer together, similar to the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego, the goal being to attract a different demographic than the Strip attracts. The Golden Gate Hotel and Casino , downtown along the Fremont Street Experience, is the oldest continuously operating hotel and casino in Las Vegas; it opened in 1906 as the Hotel Nevada. In 1931,
3159-530: The Las Vegas Valley accumulate snow every winter, but significant accumulation within the city is rare, although moderate accumulations occur every few years. The most recent accumulations occurred on February 18, 2019, when parts of the city received about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) of snow and on February 20 when the city received almost 0.5 inches (1.3 cm). Other recent significant snow accumulations occurred on December 25, 2015, and December 17, 2008. Unofficially, Las Vegas's largest snowfall on record
3240-419: The Las Vegas economy are tourism, gaming , and conventions, which in turn feed the retail and restaurant industries. The major attractions in Las Vegas are the casinos and the hotels, although in recent years other new attractions have begun to emerge. Most casinos in the downtown area are on Fremont Street , with The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Skypod as one of the few exceptions. Fremont East , adjacent to
3321-520: The Las Vegas valley, in 2003 the Nevada Air Quality Management division (under direction of Clark County officials) created the "Don't Be a Dusthole" campaign. The campaign successfully raised awareness of dust pollution in the Las Vegas Valley, quantifiably reducing pollutants and preserving ongoing federal funding. The Apex Landfill , at 2,200 acres (890 ha), is the nation's largest landfill. Republic Services owns and operates
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3402-522: The Research and Analysis Bureau of the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, Clark County's largest employers, both public and private employers, as reported in the fourth quarter of 2012: 30,000 to 39,999 employees 5,000 to 10,000 employees 2,500 to 4,999 The State of Nevada divides the state into several gaming districts. Accordingly, the Clark County is divided into
3483-504: The United States. Las Vegas , the state's most populous city, has been the county seat since its establishment. The county was formed by the Nevada Legislature by splitting off a portion of Lincoln County on February 5, 1909, and was organized on July 1, 1909. The Las Vegas Valley , a 600 sq mi (1,600 km ) basin, includes Las Vegas and other major cities and communities such as North Las Vegas , Henderson , and
3564-471: The World , and is famous for its luxurious and extremely large casino-hotels. With over 40.8 million visitors annually as of 2023, Las Vegas is one of the most visited cities in the United States . It is a top-three U.S. destination for business conventions and a global leader in the hospitality industry , claiming more AAA Five Diamond hotels than any other city in the world. Las Vegas annually ranks as one of
3645-536: The area, contributing to the region's early development. Clark County is a major tourist destination with 150,000 hotel rooms. The Las Vegas Strip , home to many famous hotel-casinos, is not within the City of Las Vegas limits, but in unincorporated Paradise. It is, however, in the Las Vegas Valley . Clark County is geographically coextensive with the Las Vegas MSA , a metropolitan statistical area designated by
3726-570: The areas on and near the Strip, which are actually in the unincorporated communities of Paradise and Winchester . The area was named Las Vegas , which is Spanish for "the meadows", as it featured abundant wild grasses, as well as the desert spring waters needed by westward travelers . The city is often simply called "Vegas". Nomadic Paleo-Indians traveled to the Las Vegas area 10,000 years ago, leaving behind petroglyphs. Ancient Puebloan and Paiute tribes followed at least 2,000 years ago. A young Mexican scout named Rafael Rivera
3807-627: The city was nicknamed the "Atomic City" . Residents and visitors were able to witness the mushroom clouds (and were exposed to the fallout) until 1963 when the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty required that nuclear tests be moved underground. In 1955, the Moulin Rouge Hotel opened and became the first racially integrated casino-hotel in Las Vegas. During the 1960s, corporations and business tycoons such as Howard Hughes were building and buying hotel-casino properties. Gambling
3888-620: The city, with some Hawaiians and Las Vegas residents calling the city the "ninth island of Hawaii " due to the major influx of Hawaiians to Vegas. There is an Ethiopian community in Las Vegas. The 2010 census showed the city contained 583,756 people, 211,689 households, and 117,538 families residing. The population density was 4,222.5/sq mi (1,630.3/km ). There were 190,724 housing units at an average density of 1,683.3/sq mi (649.9/km ). As of 2006, there were 176,750 households, of which 31.9% had children under age 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 12.2% had
3969-574: The commission. The county operates out of the Clark County Government Center in the City of Las Vegas. The building is unusual in shape, and includes an outdoor amphitheater for concerts and other events. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department provides most law enforcement services in the county, including operation of the county's central jail, the Clark County Detention Center (CCDC). The present department
4050-502: The communities of Paradise, Spring Valley and Enterprise. The city of North Las Vegas and the communities of Sunrise Manor, Winchester and Whitney are more strongly Democratic, while the city of Henderson and the Summerlin South community have a Republican lean. Boulder City, where gambling is prohibited, leans Republican. Outside Las Vegas Valley, the county leans Republican. The Clark County Regional Flood Control District (CCRFCD)
4131-427: The county commissioners’ chambers, a multipurpose community facility and a central plant. The building also includes space for government administration, a law enforcement complex, a performing arts complex, a child-care facility and structured parking . It also contains a single-story auditorium, a pyramid-shaped cafeteria and a cylindrical, six-story reception hall, as well as office buildings. The government center
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#17328524260754212-400: The county since the late 1980s. The last Republican senator to win the county was John Ensign in his 2006 victory, even as Jim Gibbons lost it in his gubernatorial win over Dina Titus that year. Both Kenny Guinn and Brian Sandoval carried the county in both gubernatorial terms they won, however. In 2018, Dean Heller carried 15 of Nevada's 17 county-level jurisdictions in his bid for
4293-460: The county were Mexican (23.2%), German (7.4%), Filipino (6.8%), English (6.8%), Irish (6.2%), and Italian (4.5%). In 2000 there were 512,253 households, out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who
4374-502: The downtown area. In 1911, Las Vegas was incorporated as a city. The year 1931 was pivotal for Las Vegas. At that time, Nevada legalized casino gambling and reduced residency requirements for divorce to six weeks. This year also witnessed the beginning of construction on nearby Hoover Dam . The influx of construction workers and their families helped Las Vegas avoid economic calamity during the Great Depression . The construction work
4455-633: The first route for mule trains and herds of livestock from Nuevo Mexico to Alta California through the area, along the Virgin and Colorado Rivers . Called the Armijo Route of the Old Spanish Trail , the route was later modified into the Main Route by the passing merchants, trappers, drovers, Ute raiders and settlers over the years by moving to a more direct route. In Clark County it was northward away from
4536-421: The following reporting districts: The Clark County Commission consists of seven members who are elected to serve staggered four-year terms in biennial partisan elections. The commission members elect a chairman, who chairs their meetings. A hired county manager handles day-to-day operations under direction of the commission. The county's unincorporated towns also have appointed boards that provide advice to
4617-483: The landfill. Nevada is the third most seismically active state in the U.S. (after Alaska and California); the United States Geological Survey has estimated that over the next 50 years, Clark County has a 10–20% chance of a (moment magnitude) M 6.0 or greater earthquake occurring within 50 km (31 mi) of Las Vegas. Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from
4698-478: The new State of Nevada in 1866; however, Arizona territory fought the division until 1871. Pah-Ute County became part of Lincoln County and the westernmost part became the southernmost part of Nye County . Clark County was named for William A. Clark , a Montana copper magnate and Democratic U.S. Senator . Clark was largely responsible for construction of the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad through
4779-656: The peace for limited jurisdiction cases and a constable. They do not correspond with city boundaries. The Las Vegas Justice Court Township the city of Las Vegas and the unincorporated towns of Blue Diamond , Cactus Springs , Enterprise , Indian Springs , Mount Charleston , Paradise , Spring Valley , Summerlin South , Sunrise Manor (partially in North Las Vegas Township), Whitney (partially in Henderson Township) and Winchester . The city of Las Vegas has
4860-527: The peak intensity of summer, overnight lows frequently remain above 80 °F (27 °C), and occasionally above 85 °F (29 °C). While most summer days are consistently hot, dry, and cloudless, the North American Monsoon sporadically interrupts this pattern and brings more cloud cover, thunderstorms, lightning, increased humidity, and brief spells of heavy rain. Potential monsoons affect Las Vegas between July and August. Summer in Las Vegas
4941-459: The population. In terms of European/white ancestries, 11.7% were German , 9.1% were Irish , 7.6% were English , 6.3% were Italian , and 2.7% were American . Of the 715,365 households, 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.6% were non-families, and 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size
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#17328524260755022-438: The racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race. In 2022, there were 857,362 households and 2,322,985 people living in Clark County. By race and ethnicity, the population was 37.6% non-Hispanic white, 32.6% Hispanic or Latino of any race, 11.7% black, 10.7% Asian, 5.9% multiracial, 0.7% Pacific Islander, 0.3% Native American, and 0.6% some other race. The largest ancestries in
5103-467: The racial counts and placed in their own category) was 40.44% (259,561) White alone (non-Hispanic) , 12.33% (79,129) Black alone (non-Hispanic) , 0.36% (2,291) Native American alone (non-Hispanic) , 4.68% (22,411) Asian alone (non-Hispanic) , 0.40% (1,935) Pacific Islander alone (non-Hispanic) , 0.14% (650) Other Race alone (non-Hispanic) , 2.51% (11,987) Multiracial or Mixed Race (non-Hispanic) , and 23.61% (112,962) Hispanic or Latino . According to
5184-426: The racial makeup (including Hispanics in the racial counts) was 46.05% (295,594) White alone , 12.85% (82,485) Black alone , 1.14% (7,318) Native American alone , 7.23% (46,398) Asian alone , 0.73% (4,662) Pacific Islander alone , 16.99% (109,045) Other Race alone , and 15.02% (96,401) Multiracial or Mixed Race . According to the 2020 U.S. Census , the racial and ethnic makeup (where Hispanics are excluded from
5265-517: The site to build a fort halfway between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles, where they would travel to gather supplies. The fort was abandoned several years afterward. The remainder of this Old Mormon Fort can still be seen at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Washington Avenue. Las Vegas was founded as a city in 1905, when 110 acres (45 ha) of land adjacent to the Union Pacific Railroad tracks were auctioned in what would become
5346-417: The state of Nevada is on the Colorado River just south of Laughlin in Clark County, where it flows out of Nevada into California and Arizona . Greater Las Vegas is a tectonic valley, surrounded by four mountain ranges, with nearby Mount Charleston being the highest elevation at 11,918 ft (3,633 m), located to the northwest. Other than the forests on Mount Charleston, the geography in Clark County
5427-572: The sunniest, driest, and least humid locations in North America, with exceptionally low dew points and humidity that sometimes remains below 10%. The summer months of June through September are extremely hot, though moderated by the low humidity levels. July is the hottest month, with an average daytime high of 104.5 °F (40.3 °C). On average, 137 days per year reach or exceed 90 °F (32 °C), of which 78 days reach 100 °F (38 °C) and 10 days reach 110 °F (43 °C). During
5508-691: The top of each hour. Due to the realization of many revitalization efforts, 2012 was dubbed "The Year of Downtown". Projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars made their debut at this time, including the Smith Center for the Performing Arts , the DISCOVERY Children's Museum , the Mob Museum , the Neon Museum , a new City Hall complex, and renovations for a new Zappos.com corporate headquarters in
5589-525: The vote in every election since 1996. This Democratic trend predates the county's explosive growth in the second half of the 20th century. Republican presidential candidates have only won the county six times from 1912 to the present day, all coming in national landslides where the Republican won over 400 electoral votes. At the statewide level, however, the county is more of a swing county, with several Republican gubernatorial candidates and U.S. Senators winning
5670-415: The wake of a 2002 drought, daily water consumption has been reduced from 314 US gallons (1,190 L) per resident in 2003 to around 205 US gallons (780 L) in 2015. See or edit raw graph data . The U.S. Census accounts for race by two methodologies. "Race alone" and "Race alone less Hispanics" where Hispanics are delineated separately as if a separate race. According to the 2020 U.S. Census ,
5751-414: The wave of development forecast by 1980, Clark County embarked on a regional environmental impact assessment funded by a federal Section 208 program, with Sedway Cooke conducting the planning work and Earth Metrics performing environmental analysis. This endeavor projected population growth, land use changes and environmental impacts. To prevent the loss of federal funds due to unacceptable dust levels in
5832-474: The world's most visited tourist destinations. The city's tolerance for numerous forms of adult entertainment has earned it the nickname " Sin City ", and has made Las Vegas a popular setting for literature, films , television programs , commercials and music videos. Las Vegas was settled in 1905 and officially incorporated in 1911. At the close of the 20th century, it was the most populated North American city founded within that century (a similar distinction
5913-491: The “People’s Choice Las Vegas Journal” award in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. Clark County, Nevada Clark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nevada , which also comprises the Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV metropolitan statistical area . The land area of Clark County is 8,061 square miles (20,880 km ), or roughly the size of New Jersey. As of
5994-471: Was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.26. The median age was 35.5 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 56,258 and the median income for a family was $ 63,888. Males had a median income of $ 43,693 versus $ 35,324 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 27,422. About 8.7% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line , including 16.9% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over. The county
6075-410: Was above age 64. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.17. The county population contained 25.6% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were over age 64. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 103.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.80 males. The median income for
6156-603: Was completed in 1935. In late 1941, Las Vegas Army Airfield was established. Renamed Nellis Air Force Base in 1950, it is now home to the United States Air Force Thunderbirds aerobatic team. Following World War II, lavishly decorated hotels, gambling casinos, and big-name entertainment became synonymous with Las Vegas. In 1951, nuclear weapons testing began at the Nevada Test Site , 65 miles (105 km) northwest of Las Vegas. During this time,
6237-662: Was created in 1973 when the Clark County Sheriff's Department merged with the Las Vegas Police Department. Other entities with police forces include University of Nevada, Las Vegas , the College of Southern Nevada , the Clark County School District , and cities of Henderson , Mesquite , Boulder City and North Las Vegas . The Clark County Office of Public Safety (formerly Clark County Park Police)
6318-502: Was created in 1985 by the Nevada Legislature allowing Clark County to provide broad solutions to flooding problems. The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada operates the RTC Transit system, and does planning for most major roadways. The Southern Nevada Water Authority is a multi-agency group that manages the water distribution for the Las Vegas Valley. The Las Vegas Wash Coordination Committee manages and protects
6399-409: Was earned by Chicago in the 19th century). Population growth has accelerated since the 1960s and into the 21st century, and between 1990 and 2000 the population nearly doubled, increasing by 85.2%. As with most major metropolitan areas, the name of the primary city ("Las Vegas" in this case) is often used to describe areas beyond official city limits. In the case of Las Vegas, this especially applies to
6480-560: Was referred to as "gaming", which transitioned it into a legitimate business. Learning from Las Vegas , published during this era, asked architects to take inspiration from the city's highly decorated buildings, helping to start the postmodern architecture movement. In 1995, the Fremont Street Experience opened in Las Vegas's downtown area. This canopied five-block area features 12.5 million LED lights and 550,000 watts of sound from dusk until midnight during shows held at
6561-519: Was the 12 inches (30 cm) that fell in 1909. In recent times, ice days have not occurred, although 29 °F (−2 °C) was measured in 1963. On average the coldest day is 44 °F (7 °C). The highest temperature officially observed for Las Vegas is 120 °F (48.9 °C), as measured at Harry Reid International Airport on July 7, 2024. The lowest temperature was 8 °F (−13 °C), recorded on two days: January 25, 1937, and January 13, 1963. The official record hot daily minimum
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