Las Vegas, NV

Las Vegas, commonly known as Vegas, is the most populous city in Nevada and the seat of Clark County. With a 2020 population of 641,903, it ranks as the 24th largest city in the United States. Its metropolitan area, home to about 2.4 million residents, is the 29th largest in the country. Las Vegas is internationally recognized as a resort city known for gambling, nightlife, high-end shopping, fine dining, and entertainment. The majority of its most famous attractions are concentrated either downtown or along the Las Vegas Strip, which technically lies outside city limits in the communities of Paradise and Winchester. Las Vegas serves as the commercial, financial, and cultural heart of Nevada.

Geography and Urban Layout

Las Vegas is located in a desert basin within the Mojave Desert and is encircled by mountain ranges that sometimes rise above 10,000 feet. Although the city sits at an elevation of about 2,030 feet, its geography includes arid terrain, rocky hills, and drought-resistant vegetation. Despite its desert setting, the city is dotted with irrigated lawns and trees, though efforts have been made in recent years to promote xeriscaping and more sustainable landscaping. Flash flooding is a seasonal concern but has been mitigated by modern drainage systems. The city spans 135.86 square miles, nearly all of which is land. Given Nevada’s status as one of the most seismically active states, the U.S. Geological Survey estimates a 10 to 20 percent chance of a magnitude 6.0 or greater earthquake occurring within 50 kilometers of the city over the next 50 years.

Las Vegas has a subtropical hot desert climate characterized by long, intensely hot summers and short, mild winters. The city averages 310 sunny days a year and sees bright sunshine for roughly 86 percent of daylight hours. Rainfall is scarce, averaging just over four inches annually, spread across approximately 26 days. July is typically the hottest month, with average highs of 104.5 degrees Fahrenheit. On average, 137 days each year reach or exceed 90 degrees, with 78 days over 100 and 10 over 110. Nighttime lows in summer often stay above 80 degrees and occasionally above 85. The city does experience some relief during monsoon season from July through August, when brief thunderstorms may bring cloud cover and intense but short-lived rain.

Winters are mild with daytime highs averaging in the mid-50s to low 60s and nighttime lows in the 40s. Though rare, freezing temperatures occur around 10 nights per winter. Snow is extremely uncommon in the city but does occasionally accumulate, as seen in 2008 and 2019. July 2024 became the hottest month ever recorded in Las Vegas, with an average daily high of 111.5 degrees and a record monthly mean temperature of 99.9 degrees. To combat water concerns exacerbated by prolonged droughts, the city has cut per capita water consumption from over 300 gallons per day in 2003 to around 205 by 2015.

As of the 2020 Census, Las Vegas had 644,883 residents living in 244,429 households, with an average household size of 2.63 people. Approximately 55.7 percent of housing units were owner-occupied. The city’s racial composition was 49.2 percent white, 11.9 percent Black or African American, 6.9 percent Asian, and 34.1 percent Hispanic or Latino of any race. Non-Hispanic whites made up 40.8 percent of the population. About 5.8 percent of residents were under the age of five, 22.8 percent were under 18, and 15.6 percent were 65 or older. Women accounted for exactly half of the population.

From 2019 to 2023, the median household income was $70,723, while per capita income was $38,421. Roughly 14.2 percent of the population lived below the poverty line. Educational attainment showed that 85.8 percent of adults over 25 had at least a high school diploma, and 27.3 percent held a bachelor’s degree or higher. About 33 percent of residents spoke a language other than English at home, and 20.9 percent were foreign-born. The city has a significant Filipino community, with over 31,000 living within the city and more than 160,000 in the metro area. Las Vegas also has a large population of Native Hawaiians, leading some to refer to it as the “ninth island of Hawaii.”

Arts and Culture

Las Vegas has an active arts community centered around the Downtown Arts District and the 18b neighborhood. The city is home to museums like the Neon Museum, the Mob Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Nevada State Museum. Cultural events include the Las Vegas Film Festival and First Friday, a monthly art and music celebration in the downtown area. The Smith Center hosts Broadway shows and classical performances, while Las Vegas Academy is a nationally recognized performing arts magnet school. As the city with the world’s highest number of land-based casinos and more AAA Five Diamond hotels than any other, Las Vegas continues to reinforce its image as the “Entertainment Capital of the World.”

Las Vegas now hosts three major league sports teams. The Vegas Golden Knights joined the NHL in 2017 and quickly won a Stanley Cup in 2023. The Las Vegas Raiders of the NFL relocated from Oakland in 2020 and play at Allegiant Stadium. The Las Vegas Aces, who play in the WNBA, have won two national championships. Major League Baseball’s Oakland Athletics are expected to relocate to Las Vegas by 2028. Minor league teams include the Las Vegas Aviators in baseball, the Las Vegas Lights FC in soccer, and the Henderson Silver Knights in hockey. Combat sports also have a strong presence in Las Vegas, which is often considered the fight capital of the world. The UFC is headquartered in the city and regularly hosts events at T-Mobile Arena and its own UFC Apex facility.

The city also features Las Vegas Motor Speedway, which hosts two major NASCAR Cup Series races annually. Public recreation is well supported with 78 parks, four golf courses, 11 recreational centers, and numerous fields, skate parks, and swimming pools managed by the parks and recreation department.

Las Vegas continues to evolve as both a premier global tourist destination and a city with growing diversity in business, culture, and community life.