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{{Short description|Most populous city in Nevada, United States}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2025}}
{{redirect|Vegas||Vegas (disambiguation)|and|Las Vegas (disambiguation)}}
{{Pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Pp-move}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|
| settlement_type = [[City]]
| etymology = {{ety|es|las vegas|the meadows}}
| nicknames = "Vegas", "Sin City", "City of Lights", "The Gambling Capital of the World",<ref>{{cite news |url=https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/words-and-their-stories-nicknames-for-new-orleans-and-las-vegas/112416.html |title=Words and Their Stories: Nicknames for New Orleans and Las Vegas |publisher=[[VOA]] News |date=March 13, 2010 |access-date=January 29, 2012 |archive-date=April 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425204623/http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/words-and-their-stories-nicknames-for-new-orleans-and-las-vegas/112416.html |url-status=live }}</ref> "[[The Entertainment Capital of the World]]', "Capital of Second Chances",<ref name="Las_Vegas_nickname1">{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna34418386 |title=Will the real Las Vegas please stand up? |publisher=[[NBC News]] |last=Lovitt |first=Rob |date=December 15, 2009 |access-date=February 4, 2012 |archive-date=November 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103154345/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna34418386 |url-status=live }}</ref> "The Marriage Capital of the World", "The Silver City", "America's Playground", "Hawaii's Ninth Island"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Letourneau |first=Christian |date=2022-05-24 |title=How This Mainland City Became Known as Hawaii's 'Ninth Island' |url=https://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/nevada/las-vegas/experiences/news/why-las-vegas-is-nicknamed-hawaiis-ninth-island |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=[[Fodor's]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dymski |first=Gary |title=Ninth Island: The story behind Hawaiians' affinity for Las Vegas |url=https://www.8newsnow.com/vegas-history/ninth-island-the-story-behind-hawaiians-affinity-for-las-vegas/ |access-date=2025-02-10 |work=[[KLAS-TV]] |archive-date=March 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240321040416/https://www.8newsnow.com/vegas-history/ninth-island-the-story-behind-hawaiians-affinity-for-las-vegas/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| image_skyline = {{multiple image
|total_width = 280
|border = infobox
|perrow = 1/2/2/1
|caption_align = center
|image1 = Las Vegas from above (40064746644).jpg
|alt1 = Las Vegas Skyline
|caption1 = [[Downtown Las Vegas]]
|image2 = WorldMarketCenter1.jpg
|alt2 = World Market Center
|caption2 = [[World Market Center Las Vegas|World Market Center]]
|image3 = Sahara (4068107356).jpg
|alt3 = The Strat
|caption3 = [[The Strat]]
|image4 = Clark County Government Center aerial view.png
|alt4 = Clark County Government Center
|caption4 = [[Clark County Government Center]]
|image5 = Lou Ruvo Center - 2010-12-10 - South.JPG
|alt5 = Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health
|caption5 = [[Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health]]
|image6 = Las Vegas Strip 09 2017 4897.jpg
|alt6 = Las Vegas Strip
|caption6 = [[Las Vegas Strip]] in [[Paradise, Nevada|Paradise]] and [[Winchester, Nevada|Winchester]], outside city limits
}}
|image_flag = Flag of Las Vegas, Nevada.svg
|flag_size = 110px
|image_seal = Seal of Las Vegas, Nevada.svg
|seal_size = 90px
|image_map = {{maplink
|frame = yes
|plain = yes
|frame-align = center
|frame-width = 270
|frame-height = 270
|frame-coord = SWITCH:{{coord|36.25|-115.25}}###{{coord|36|-115}}###{{coord|qid=Q1227}}###{{coord|qid=Q30}}
|zoom = SWITCH:10;7;5;3
|type = SWITCH:shape;shape;point;point
|marker = city
|stroke-width = 2
|stroke-color = #0096FF
|fill = #0096FF
|id2 = SWITCH:Q23768;Q108403;Q1227;Q30
|type2 = shape-inverse
|stroke-width2 = 2
|stroke-color2 = #5F5F5F
|stroke-opacity2 = SWITCH:0;1;1;1
|fill2 = #000000
|fill-opacity2 = SWITCH:0;0.5;0.5;0.5
|switch = Las Vegas;Clark County;Nevada;the United States
}}
| pushpin_map = Nevada#USA
| pushpin_relief = yes
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name = {{USA}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Nevada}}
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Nevada|County]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Clark County, Nevada|Clark]]
| government_type = [[Council–manager]]
| leader_title = [[List of mayors of Las Vegas|Mayor]]
| leader_name = [[Shelley Berkley]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
| leader_title1 = [[Mayor Pro Tem]]
| leader_name1 = Brian Knudsen ([[Nevada Democratic Party|D]])
| leader_title2 = City council
| leader_name2 = {{collapsible list|bullets=yes
|title = Members
|1 = Brian Knudsen ([[Nevada Democratic Party|D]])
|2 = [[Victoria Seaman]] ([[Nevada Republican Party|R]])
|3 = [[Olivia Diaz]] ([[Nevada Democratic Party|D]])
|4 = [[Francis Allen-Palenske]] ([[Nevada Republican Party|R]])
|5 = [[Shondra Summers-Armstrong]] ([[Nevada Democratic Party|D]])
|6 = Nancy Brune ([[Nevada Democratic Party|D]])
}}
| leader_title3 = City manager
| leader_name3 = Mike Janssen
| established_title = Founded
| established_date = May 15, 1905
| established_title1 = Incorporated
| established_date1 = March 16, 1911
| area_total_sq_mi = 141.91
| area_land_sq_mi = 141.85
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.05
| area_urban_sq_mi = 540
| area_metro_sq_mi = 1580
| population_as_of = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes =
| population_total = 641903
| population_rank= [[List of North American cities by population|75th]] in North America<br />[[List of United States cities by population|24th]] in the United States<ref name=PopEstCities>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020–2023 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]], Population Division |access-date=May 16, 2024 |archive-date=July 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711040810/https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |url-status=live }}</ref><br />[[List of cities in Nevada|1st]] in Nevada
| population_urban = 2,196,623 ([[List of United States urban areas|US: 21st]])
| population_density_urban_km2 = 1,948.4
| population_density_urban_sq_mi = 5,046.3
| population_metro_footnotes = <ref name="2020Pop">{{cite web |title=2020 Population and Housing State Data |url=https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/2020-population-and-housing-state-data.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 22, 2021 |archive-date=August 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824081449/https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/2020-population-and-housing-state-data.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| population_metro = 2265461 ([[List of metropolitan statistical areas|US: 29th]])
| population_note =
| population_density_sq_mi = 4525.16
| population_density_km2 = 1747.17
| population_demonym = Las Vegan
| demographics_type2 = GDP
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Total Gross Domestic Product for Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV (MSA) |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/NGMP29820 |website=fred.stlouisfed.org }}</ref>
|demographics2_title1 = Metro
|demographics2_info1 = $160.728 billion (2022)
| timezone1 = [[Pacific Standard Time Zone|PST]]
| utc_offset = −08:00
| timezone_DST = [[Pacific Daylight Time|PDT]]
| utc_offset_DST = −07:00
| postal_code_type = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code = 89044, 89054, 891xx
| area_codes = [[Area codes 702 and 725|702 and 725]]
| coordinates = {{Wikidatacoord|Q23768|region:US-NV_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_ft = 2001
| elevation_m = 610
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 32-40000
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info = [http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:847388 847388]
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_footnotes = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web |title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory |url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=September 19, 2022 |archive-date=October 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011212333/https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer |url-status=live }}</ref>
| area_total_km2 = 367.53
| area_land_km2 = 367.40
| area_water_km2 = 0.14
| pop_est_as_of =
| pop_est_footnotes =
| population_est =
| website = {{URL|lasvegasnevada.gov}}
}}
'''Las Vegas''',{{efn|{{Bulleted list|{{IPAc-en|uslang|l|ɑ:|s|_|ˈ|v|eɪ|ɡ|ə|s|audio=LL-Q1860 (eng)-Noaius Paticus-Las Vegas.wav}} {{respell|lahss|_|VAY|gəs}},<ref>{{cite dictionary|date=2019 |title=LAS VEGAS Definition & Meaning |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Las%20Vegas |dictionary=[[Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary]] |___location=[[Springfield, Massachusetts]] |edition=11 |publisher=[[Merriam-Webster Incorporated]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250706195741/https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Las%20Vegas |archive-date=6 July 2025 |url-status=live |access-date=9 August 2025}}</ref> {{IPAc-en|uk|l|æ|s|-}} {{respell|lass}}<ref>{{cite dictionary|date=2013 |title=Las Vegas |url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/las-vegas |dictionary=[[Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary]] |___location=[[Cambridge]] |edition=4 |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250809213004/https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/las-vegas |archive-date=9 August 2025 |url-status=live |access-date=9 August 2025}}</ref>|{{IPA|es|las ˈβeɣas|lang|LL-Q1321 (spa)-Noaius Paticus-Las Vegas.wav}}, {{lit|The Meadows}}}}}} colloquially referred to as '''Vegas''', is the most populous city in the U.S. state of [[Nevada]] and the [[county seat|seat]] of [[Clark County, Nevada|Clark County]]. It is the [[List of United States cities by population|24th-most populous city]] in the United States with 641,903 residents at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="QuickFacts">{{cite web |title=QuickFacts: Las Vegas city, Nevada |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/lasvegascitynevada/POP010220 |access-date=August 22, 2021 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |archive-date=March 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314015112/https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/lasvegascitynevada/POP010220 |url-status=live }}</ref> while the [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas metropolitan area]] has an estimated 2.4 million residents and is the [[Metropolitan statistical area|29th-largest metropolitan area]] in the nation. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major [[resort city]], known primarily for its [[gambling]], shopping, fine dining, entertainment, and [[nightlife]]. Most of these venues are located in [[downtown Las Vegas]] or on the [[Las Vegas Strip]], which is outside city limits in the [[Unincorporated towns in Nevada|unincorporated towns]] of [[Paradise, Nevada|Paradise]] and [[Winchester, Nevada|Winchester]]. The Las Vegas Valley serves as the leading financial, commercial, and cultural center in Nevada.
Las Vegas was settled in 1905 and officially incorporated in 1911.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Timeline |url=https://lasvegassun.com/history/timeline/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080520034630/http://www.lasvegassun.com/history/timeline/ |archive-date=May 20, 2008 |work=[[Las Vegas Sun]]}}</ref> At the close of the 20th century, it was the most populated North American city founded within that century. Population growth has accelerated since the 1960s and into the 21st century, and between 1990 and 2000 the population increased by 85.2%.
The city bills itself as [[the Entertainment Capital of the World]], and is famous for its luxurious and large casino-hotels. As of 2023, Las Vegas attracts over 40.8 million visitors annually,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stutz |first=Howard |date=January 25, 2024 |title=In 2023, Las Vegas saw its highest visitation totals since before the pandemic |url=https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/in-2023-las-vegas-saw-its-highest-visitation-totals-since-before-the-pandemic |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713213006/https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/in-2023-las-vegas-saw-its-highest-visitation-totals-since-before-the-pandemic |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |work=[[Nevada Independent]]}}</ref> making it one of the [[Tourism in the United States|most visited cities in the United States]] and consistently ranking among the world's top tourist destinations.<ref name="TravelandTourism">{{cite web |title=Overseas Visitation Estimates for U.S. States, Cities, and Census Regions: 2013 |work=International Visitation in the United States |publisher=US Office of Travel and Tourism Industries, US Department of Commerce |date=May 2014 |url=http://tinet.ita.doc.gov/outreachpages/download_data_table/2013_States_and_Cities.pdf |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20181113062611/http://tinet.ita.doc.gov/outreachpages/download_data_table/2013_States_and_Cities.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 13, 2018 |access-date=December 14, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |date=November 10, 2014 |url=http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/worlds-most-visited-tourist-attractions/7 |title=World's Most-Visited Tourist Attractions |magazine=[[Travel + Leisure]] |access-date=January 10, 2015 |archive-date=September 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120915074436/http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/worlds-most-visited-tourist-attractions/7 |url-status=live }}</ref> It is the third most popular U.S. destination for business conventions<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Charisse |date=August 21, 2013 |title=Top convention destinations: Orlando, Chicago, Las Vegas |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2013/08/21/top-50-destinations-for-meeting-planners/2681695/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411065600/https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2013/08/21/top-50-destinations-for-meeting-planners/2681695/ |archive-date=April 11, 2019 |access-date=September 2, 2017 |newspaper=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> and a global leader in the [[hospitality industry]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Brady |first=John |date=2015-08-01 |title=The Financial, Social, and Environmental Impacts of Sustainable Practices on the Las Vegas Hospitality Market |url=https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations/2606/ |journal=UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones |doi=10.34917/8349563}}</ref> The city's tolerance for numerous forms of [[adult entertainment]] has earned it the nickname "[[Sin City (description)|Sin City]]",<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidschwartz/2018/12/10/why-las-vegas-is-still-americas-most-sinful-city/ |last=Schwartz |first=David G. |date=December 10, 2018 |title=Why Las Vegas Is Still America's Most Sinful City |magazine=[[Forbes]] |access-date=August 27, 2019 |archive-date=October 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004052346/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidschwartz/2018/12/10/why-las-vegas-is-still-americas-most-sinful-city/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and has made it a popular [[List of films set in Las Vegas|setting for films]], literature, [[List of television shows set in Las Vegas|television programs]], commercials and music videos.
==Toponymy==
In 1829, Mexican trader and explorer [[Antonio Armijo]] led a group consisting of 60 men and 100 mules along the [[Old Spanish Trail (trade route)|Old Spanish Trail]] from modern day New Mexico to California. Along the way, the group stopped in what would become Las Vegas and noted its natural water sources, now referred to as the [[Las Vegas Springs]], which supported extensive vegetation such as grasses and [[Mesquite|mesquite trees]]. The springs were a significant natural feature in the valley, with streams that supported a meadow ecosystem. This region served as the winter residence for the [[Southern Paiute people|Southern Paiute]] people, who utilized the area's resources before moving to higher elevations during the summer months. The Spanish "las vegas" or "the meadows" (more precisely, lower land near a river) in English, was applied to describe the fertile lowlands near the springs. Over time, the name began to refer to the populated settlement.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Al |first=Stefan |title=The Strip: Las Vegas and the architecture of the American dream |date=2017 |publisher=[[MIT Press]] |isbn=978-0-262-03574-3 |___location=Cambridge |pages=6}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Land |first1=Barbara |title=A short history of Las Vegas |last2=Land |first2=Myrick |date=2010 |publisher=University of Nevada Press |isbn=978-0-87417-643-8 |edition=2nd |___location=Reno |pages=Preface}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dymski |first=Gary |date=November 25, 2022 |title=Las Vegas: Name comes from image of valley during trading party's search for water in 1829 |url=https://www.8newsnow.com/vegas-history/las-vegas-name-comes-from-image-of-valley-during-trading-partys-search-for-water-in-1829/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928001207/https://www.8newsnow.com/vegas-history/las-vegas-name-comes-from-image-of-valley-during-trading-partys-search-for-water-in-1829/ |archive-date=September 28, 2023 |work=[[KLAS-TV]]}}</ref>
== History ==
{{Main|History of Las Vegas}}
{{For timeline|Timeline of Las Vegas}}
{{see also|Las Vegas in the 1940s|Las Vegas in the 1950s}}
[[File:Southern Paiutes.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Southern [[Moapa Band of Paiute Indians|Paiutes]] at [[Moapa River Indian Reservation|Moapa]] wearing traditional Paiute basket hats with Paiute cradleboard and rabbit robe]]
Nomadic [[Paleo-Indians]] traveled to the Las Vegas area 10,000 years ago, leaving behind [[petroglyph]]s. [[Ancient Pueblo peoples|Ancient Puebloan]] and [[Southern Paiute|Paiute]] tribes followed at least 2,000 years ago.<ref>{{cite book |last=Cordell |first=Linda |date=1994 |title=Ancient Pueblo Peoples |publisher=St. Remy Press and Smithsonian Institution |pages=18–19 |isbn=0-89599-038-5 }}</ref>
A young [[Mexican people|Mexican]] scout named [[Raphael Rivera|Rafael Rivera]] is credited as the first non-[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] to encounter the valley, in 1829.<ref>{{cite book |first1=Barbara |last1=Land |first2=Myrick |last2=Land |title=A Short History of Las Vegas |publisher=University of Nevada Press |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Em2VDwAAQBAJ&q=rivera&pg=PT58 |date=March 1, 2004 |page=4 |isbn=978-0874176438 |access-date=December 18, 2020 }}</ref> Trader [[Antonio Armijo]] led a 60-man party along the [[Old Spanish Trail (trade route)|Spanish Trail]] to [[Los Angeles]], California, in 1829.<ref name="Clark County">{{cite web |url=http://www.accessclarkcounty.com/depts/public_communications/Pages/faqs.aspx |website=Clark County, Nevada |title=FAQs/History |access-date=December 4, 2008 |archive-date=December 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201213951/http://www.accessclarkcounty.com/depts/public_communications/Pages/faqs.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="ponce">{{cite web |last=Ponce |first=Victor Miguel |title=Las Vegas, how did Las Vegas get its name, groundwater depletion |url=http://lasvegas.sdsu.edu/ |access-date=September 13, 2014 |website=[[San Diego State University]] |archive-date=July 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701120854/http://lasvegas.sdsu.edu/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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 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 Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park|Old Mormon Fort]] can still be seen at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Washington Avenue.{{cn|date=August 2025}}
Las Vegas was founded as a city in 1905, when {{convert|110|acre}} of land adjacent to the [[Union Pacific Railroad]] tracks were auctioned in what would become the downtown area. In 1911, Las Vegas was incorporated as a city.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://dwgateway.library.unr.edu/keck/histtopoNV/Origin_of_Place_Names_Files/1941NevadaOriginofNames-pt1.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409171723/http://dwgateway.library.unr.edu/keck/histtopoNV/Origin_of_Place_Names_Files/1941NevadaOriginofNames-pt1.pdf |archive-date=April 9, 2018 |url-status=live |title=Origin of Place Names: Nevada |publisher=[[Works Progress Administration]] |author=Federal Writers' Project |year=1941 |page=16 }}</ref>
[[File:Fremont Street 1952.JPG|thumb|left|[[Golden Nugget Las Vegas|Golden Nugget]] and [[Pioneer Club Las Vegas|Pioneer Club]] along [[Fremont Street]] in 1952]]
The year 1931 was pivotal for Las Vegas. At that time, Nevada legalized casino gambling<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schwartz |first=David |date=April 9, 2014 |title=My Nevada 5: The Days That Changed the Gaming World |url=https://www.unlv.edu/news/article/my-nevada-5-days-changed-gaming-world |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204080658/https://www.unlv.edu/news/article/my-nevada-5-days-changed-gaming-world |archive-date=December 4, 2024 |work=[[University of Nevada, Las Vegas|University of Nevada, Las Vegas News Center]]}}</ref> and reduced residency requirements for divorce to six weeks.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nevada Press Association |date=March 31, 2014 |title=From 1931: Divorce, gambling get Nevada governor's signature |url=https://www.rgj.com/story/life/2014/04/01/divorce-gambling-get-governors-signature/7135497/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510013720/https://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/2008/jun/10/1931-law-helped-make-nevada-divorce-capital-of-us/ |archive-date=May 10, 2021 |work=[[Reno Gazette-Journal]]}}</ref> This year also witnessed the beginning of construction of the tunnels of nearby [[Hoover Dam]]. The influx of construction workers and their families helped Las Vegas avoid economic calamity during the [[Great Depression]]. The construction work was completed in 1935.
In late 1941, [[Nellis Air Force Base#History|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://afthunderbirds.com/site/ |access-date=October 25, 2019 |title=Home |website=United States Air Force Thunderbirds |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020032655/http://afthunderbirds.com/site/ |archive-date=October 20, 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Following World War II, lavishly decorated hotels, gambling casinos, and big-name entertainment became synonymous with Las Vegas.
[[File:Atomic test seen from Las Vegas.jpg|thumb|right|This view of downtown Las Vegas shows a [[mushroom cloud]] in the background. Scenes such as this were typical during the 1950s. From 1951 to 1962, the government conducted 100 atmospheric tests at the nearby [[Nevada Test Site]].<ref name=simon>{{cite journal |url=http://www.americanscientist.org/issues/issue.aspx?y=0&content=true&id=982&css=print&page=6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709090729/https://www.americanscientist.org/issues/issue.aspx?y=0&content=true&id=982&css=print&page=6 |archive-date=July 9, 2014 |title=Fallout from Nuclear Weapons Tests and Cancer Risks |last1=Simon |first1=Steven |last2=Bouville |first2=Andre |date=January–February 2006 |volume=94 |issue=1 |journal=[[American Scientist]] |page=48 |doi=10.1511/2006.57.48 |access-date=December 18, 2020 |quote=Exposures 50 years ago still have health implications today that will continue into the future...Deposition...generally decreases with distance from the test site in the direction of the prevailing wind across North America, although isolated locations received significant deposition as a result of rainfall. Trajectories of the fallout debris clouds across the U.S. are shown for four altitudes. Each dot indicates six hours. |issn=0003-0996 }}</ref>]]
In 1951, [[nuclear weapons testing]] began at the [[Nevada Test Site]], {{convert|65|mi}} northwest of Las Vegas. During this time, the city was nicknamed the [[History of Las Vegas#Atomic testing|"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.<ref name=simon/>
In 1955, the [[Moulin Rouge Hotel]] opened and became the first racially integrated casino-hotel in Las Vegas.{{cn|date=August 2025}}
[[File:Las vegas late 60s.png|thumb|left|[[Fremont Street]] in the late 1960s]]
During the 1960s, corporations and business tycoons such as [[Howard Hughes]] were building and buying hotel-casino properties. Gambling 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.{{cn|date=August 2025}}
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 the top of each hour.{{cn|date=August 2025}}
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 [[Las Vegas City Hall|new City Hall]] complex, and renovations for a new [[Zappos]].com corporate headquarters in the [[Las Vegas City Hall (1973)|old City Hall]] building.<ref name="History">{{cite web |title=History |url=http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/FactsStatistics/history.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701020216/http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/FactsStatistics/history.htm |archive-date=July 1, 2014 |access-date=December 2, 2016 |website=City of Las Vegas}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Zappos' new landlord is a familiar face |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/zappos-new-landlord-is-a-familiar-face-2158031/ |first1=Eli |last1=Segall |author2=Subrina Hudson |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 22, 2020 |access-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128101315/https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/zappos-new-landlord-is-a-familiar-face-2158031/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Geography==
[[
[[File:Las Vegas from Frenchman 3.jpg|thumb|left|[[Downtown Las Vegas]] with [[Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area|Red Rock Canyon]] in the background]]Las Vegas is situated in a [[Basin and range topography|basin]] on the floor of the [[Mojave Desert]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://geography.about.com/od/unitedstatesofamerica/a/lasvegasgeography.htm |title=Geography of Las Vegas, Nevada |publisher=geography.about.com |access-date=February 25, 2014 |archive-date=April 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140412230717/http://geography.about.com/od/unitedstatesofamerica/a/lasvegasgeography.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/flood-control-a-success/ |title=Flood control a success |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 28, 2010 |access-date=September 13, 2014 |archive-date=May 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501072545/https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/flood-control-a-success/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The city's elevation is approximately {{convert|2030|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level, though the surrounding peaks reach elevations of over {{convert|10000|ft}} 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 {{convert|135.86|sqmi|abbr=on}}, of which {{convert|135.81|sqmi|abbr=on}} is land and {{convert|0.05|sqmi|abbr=on}} (0.03%) 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 {{convert|50|km|abbr=on}} of Las Vegas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://data.nbmg.unr.edu/Public/freedownloads/misc/Presentations/earthquakes/lossestimationmodeling23feb06.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910054050/http://data.nbmg.unr.edu/Public/freedownloads/misc/Presentations/earthquakes/lossestimationmodeling23feb06.pdf |archive-date=September 10, 2015 |url-status=live |title=Loss-Estimation Modeling of Earthquake Scenarios for Each County in Nevada Using HAZUS-MH |page=65 |date=February 23, 2006 |website=Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology |publisher=Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology/University of Nevada, Reno |access-date=March 27, 2016 |quote="Probability of an earthquake of magnitude 6.0 or greater occurring within 50 km in 50 years (from USGS probabilistic seismic hazard analysis) 10–20% chance for Las Vegas area, magnitude 6". }}</ref>
Within the city are many lawns, trees, and other greenery. Due to water resource issues, there has been a movement to encourage [[Xeriscaping|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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 6, 2015 |title=Las Vegas Xeriscaping & Desert Landscaping Tips - Modern Landscape Las Vegas |url=https://www.modernlandscapelasvegas.com/las-vegas-xeriscaping-tips/ |access-date=August 15, 2024 |language=en-US }}</ref>
===Climate===
[[File:Majestic Mountain (3841029921).jpg|thumb|Desert scene at the [[Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area]] in the Las Vegas area]]
[[File:Spring Flowers in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.jpg|thumb|Spring flowers at the [[Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area]] in the Las Vegas area]]
Las Vegas has a [[subtropical climate|subtropical]] [[hot desert climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]]: ''BWh'', [[Trewartha climate classification]] ''BWhk''), typical of the [[Mojave Desert]] in which it lies. This climate 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.<ref name = "NOWData NWS Las Vegas, NV (VEF) - LASthr"/><ref name= noaasun/> Rainfall is scarce, with an average of {{convert|4.2|in|abbr=on}} dispersed between roughly 26 total rainy days per year.<ref name = "NCEI Summary of Monthly Normals - 1991-2020"/> Las Vegas is among the sunniest, driest, and least humid locations in North America, with exceptionally low dew points and humidity that sometimes remains below 10%.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.currentresults.com/Weather-Extremes/US/low-humidity-cities.php |title=Cities With Low Humidity in the USA |last=Osborn |first=Liz |website=Current Results |access-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-date=October 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019000628/https://www.currentresults.com/Weather-Extremes/US/low-humidity-cities.php |url-status=live }}</ref>
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 {{convert|104.5|°F|1}}. On average, 137 days per year reach or exceed {{convert|90|°F}}, of which 78 days reach {{convert|100|°F|0}} and 10 days reach {{convert|110|°F|0}}. During the peak intensity of summer, overnight lows frequently remain above {{convert|80|°F|0}}, and occasionally above {{convert|85|°F|0}}.<ref name="NOWData NWS Las Vegas, NV (VEF) - LASthr" />
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 is marked by significant [[diurnal temperature variation]]. While less extreme than other parts of the state, nighttime lows in Las Vegas are often {{convert|30|F-change|1}} or more lower than daytime highs.<ref>{{cite thesis |title=Observed and Simulated Urban Heat Island and Urban Cool Island in Las Vegas |url=https://scholarworks.unr.edu/bitstream/handle/11714/2409/Sauceda_unr_0139M_11689.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |first=Daniel O. |last=Sauceda |date=December 2014 |publisher=[[University of Nevada, Reno]] |access-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113062612/https://scholarworks.unr.edu/bitstream/handle/11714/2409/Sauceda_unr_0139M_11689.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |archive-date=November 13, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The average hottest night of the year is {{convert|90|F|C}}. The all-time record is at {{convert|95|F|C}}.<ref name = "NOWData NWS Las Vegas, NV (VEF) - LASthr"/>
Las Vegas winters are relatively short, with typically mild daytime temperatures and chilly nights. Sunshine is abundant in all seasons. December is both the year's coolest and cloudiest month, with an average daytime high of {{convert|56.9|°F|1}} 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 {{convert|40|°F|1}} in December and January. Owing to its elevation that ranges from {{convert|2,000|to|3,000|ft}}, Las Vegas experiences markedly cooler winters than other areas of 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 {{convert|25|°F|0}}.<ref name = "NOWData NWS Las Vegas, NV (VEF) - LASthr"/>
[[File:Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020) - Las Vegas Area, NV(ThreadEx).svg|thumb|right|Climate chart for Las Vegas]]
Most of the annual precipitation falls during the winter. February, the wettest month, averages only four days of measurable rain. The mountains immediately surrounding 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 {{convert|1 to 2|in|cm|1}} of snow<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-vegas-snow-20190218-story.html |title=It just snowed in Vegas and likely will again this week. That isn't normal |first=David |last=Montero |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |archive-date=February 21, 2019 |access-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221044539/https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-vegas-snow-20190218-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and on February 20 when the city received almost {{convert|0.5|in|cm|1}}.<ref>{{cite tweet |date=February 21, 2019 |user=NWSVegas |number=1098504698393513985 |title=Las Vegas official snowfall for Feb 20th is 0.5 inches. This breaks a daily snowfall record for this date |author=NWS Las Vegas |access-date=July 20, 2019 }}</ref> Other recent significant snow accumulations occurred on December 25, 2015, and December 17, 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/weather/las-vegas-valley-gets-first-touch-of-white-winter |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |last=Michor |first=Max |title=Las Vegas Valley gets first touch of white winter |date=February 23, 2018 |access-date=July 20, 2019 |archive-date=October 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007215751/https://www.reviewjournal.com/weather/las-vegas-valley-gets-first-touch-of-white-winter/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Unofficially, Las Vegas's largest snowfall on record was the {{convert|12|in|cm}} that fell in 1909.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2011/aug/26/snowstorms/ |last=Hansen |first=Kyle B. |date=August 26, 2011 |title=Photos: Remembering snowstorms in Las Vegas offers retreat from the heat |newspaper=[[Las Vegas Sun]] |access-date=July 20, 2019 |archive-date=July 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720235312/https://lasvegassun.com/news/2011/aug/26/snowstorms/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In recent times, ice days have not occurred, although {{convert|29|F|C}} was measured in 1963.<ref name="NOWData NWS Las Vegas, NV (VEF) - LASthr" /> On average the coldest day is {{convert|44|F|C}}.<ref name="NOWData NWS Las Vegas, NV (VEF) - LASthr" />
The highest temperature officially observed for Las Vegas is {{convert|120|F|C|1}}, as measured at [[Harry Reid International Airport]] on July 7, 2024.<ref name="NOWData NWS Las Vegas, NV (VEF) - LASthr"/><ref>{{Cite tweet |author=National Weather Service Las Vegas |title=Well, it managed to hit 120° at Harry Reid Airport. #nvwx |user=NWSVegas |number=1810086398898401665 |access-date=July 8, 2024 }}</ref> The lowest temperature was {{convert|8|°F|0}}, recorded on two days: January 25, 1937, and January 13, 1963.<ref name="NOWData NWS Las Vegas, NV (VEF) - LASthr"/> The official record hot daily minimum is {{convert|95|°F|0}} on July 19, 2005, and July 1, 2013. The official record cold daily maximum is {{convert|28|°F|0}} on January 8 and 21, 1937.<ref name="NOWData NWS Las Vegas, NV (VEF) - LASthr"/> July 2024 was the hottest month ever recorded in Las Vegas, with its highest recorded mean daily average temperature over the month of {{convert|99.9|°F|0}}, its highest recorded mean daily maximum temperature of {{convert|111.5|°F|0}}, and its highest recorded mean nightly minimum temperature of {{convert|88.3|°F|0}}.<ref name=LasVegasHottestMonthEver>{{cite web |url=https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=vef |title=Almanac for Las Vegas Area, NV (ThreadEx) - July 31, 2024 |publisher=[[National Weather Service]] |date=August 1, 2024 |access-date=August 2, 2024 |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616180404/https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=vef |url-status=live }}</ref>
Due to concerns about [[Climate change in the United States|climate change]] in the wake of a 2002 drought, daily water consumption has been reduced from {{convert|314|USgal|L}} per resident in 2003 to around {{convert|205|USgal|L}} in 2015.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=https://projects.propublica.org/killing-the-colorado/story/pat-mulroy-las-vegas-water-witch |title=Las Vegas Water Chief Pat Mulroy Preached Conservation, But Pushed Growth |last=Lustgarten |first=Abrahm |date=June 2, 2015 |website=[[ProPublica]] |language=en |access-date=November 18, 2019 |archive-date=June 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602192635/https://projects.propublica.org/killing-the-colorado/story/pat-mulroy-las-vegas-water-witch |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Weather box
| width = auto
| ___location = [[Harry Reid International Airport]] ([[Paradise, Nevada]]), 1991–2020 normals,{{efn|Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the highest and lowest temperature readings during an entire month or year) calculated based on data at said ___location from 1991 to 2020.}} extremes 1937–present
| single line = Y
| collapsed =
| Jan record high F = 77
| Feb record high F = 87
| Mar record high F = 92
| Apr record high F = 99
| May record high F = 109
| Jun record high F = 117
| Jul record high F = 120
| Aug record high F = 116
| Sep record high F = 114
| Oct record high F = 104
| Nov record high F = 87
| Dec record high F = 78
| Jan avg record high F = 68.7
| Feb avg record high F = 74.2
| Mar avg record high F = 84.3
| Apr avg record high F = 93.6
| May avg record high F = 101.8
| Jun avg record high F = 110.1
| Jul avg record high F = 112.9
| Aug avg record high F = 110.3
| Sep avg record high F = 105.0
| Oct avg record high F = 94.6
| Nov avg record high F = 80.5
| Dec avg record high F = 67.9
| year avg record high F = 113.6
| Jan high F = 58.5
| Feb high F = 62.9
| Mar high F = 71.1
| Apr high F = 78.5
| May high F = 88.5
| Jun high F = 99.4
| Jul high F = 104.5
| Aug high F = 102.8
| Sep high F = 94.9
| Oct high F = 81.2
| Nov high F = 67.1
| Dec high F = 56.9
| year high F = 80.5
| Jan mean F = 49.5
| Feb mean F = 53.5
| Mar mean F = 60.8
| Apr mean F = 67.7
| May mean F = 77.3
| Jun mean F = 87.6
| Jul mean F = 93.2
| Aug mean F = 91.7
| Sep mean F = 83.6
| Oct mean F = 70.4
| Nov mean F = 57.2
| Dec mean F = 48.2
| year mean F = 70.1
| Jan low F = 40.5
| Feb low F = 44.1
| Mar low F = 50.5
| Apr low F = 56.9
| May low F = 66.1
| Jun low F = 75.8
| Jul low F = 82.0
| Aug low F = 80.6
| Sep low F = 72.4
| Oct low F = 59.6
| Nov low F = 47.3
| Dec low F = 39.6
| year low F = 59.6
| Jan avg record low F = 29.8
| Feb avg record low F = 32.9
| Mar avg record low F = 38.7
| Apr avg record low F = 45.2
| May avg record low F = 52.8
| Jun avg record low F = 62.2
| Jul avg record low F = 72.9
| Aug avg record low F = 70.8
| Sep avg record low F = 60.8
| Oct avg record low F = 47.4
| Nov avg record low F = 35.2
| Dec avg record low F = 29.0
| year avg record low F = 27.4
| Jan record low F = 8
| Feb record low F = 16
| Mar record low F = 19
| Apr record low F = 31
| May record low F = 38
| Jun record low F = 48
| Jul record low F = 56
| Aug record low F = 54
| Sep record low F = 43
| Oct record low F = 26
| Nov record low F = 15
| Dec record low F = 11
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 0.56
| Feb precipitation inch = 0.80
| Mar precipitation inch = 0.42
| Apr precipitation inch = 0.20
| May precipitation inch = 0.07
| Jun precipitation inch = 0.04
| Jul precipitation inch = 0.38
| Aug precipitation inch = 0.32
| Sep precipitation inch = 0.32
| Oct precipitation inch = 0.32
| Nov precipitation inch = 0.30
| Dec precipitation inch = 0.45
| year precipitation inch = 4.18
| Jan snow inch = 0.0
| Feb snow inch = 0.0
| Mar snow inch = 0.0
| Apr snow inch = 0.0
| May snow inch = 0.0
| Jun snow inch = 0.0
| Jul snow inch = 0.0
| Aug snow inch = 0.0
| Sep snow inch = 0.0
| Oct snow inch = 0.0
| Nov snow inch = 0.0
| Dec snow inch = 0.2
| year snow inch = 0.2
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 3.1
| Feb precipitation days = 4.1
| Mar precipitation days = 2.8
| Apr precipitation days = 1.6
| May precipitation days = 1.1
| Jun precipitation days = 0.4
| Jul precipitation days = 2.5
| Aug precipitation days = 2.2
| Sep precipitation days = 1.8
| Oct precipitation days = 1.7
| Nov precipitation days = 1.5
| Dec precipitation days = 3.0
| year precipitation days = 25.8
| unit snow days = 0.1 in
| Jan snow days = 0.0
| Feb snow days = 0.1
| Mar snow days = 0.0
| Apr snow days = 0.0
| May snow days = 0.0
| Jun snow days = 0.0
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.0
| Sep snow days = 0.0
| Oct snow days = 0.0
| Nov snow days = 0.0
| Dec snow days = 0.1
| year snow days = 0.2
| Jan sun = 245.2
| Jan percentsun = 79
| Feb sun = 246.7
| Feb percentsun = 81
| Mar sun = 314.6
| Mar percentsun = 85
| Apr sun = 346.1
| Apr percentsun = 88
| May sun = 388.1
| May percentsun = 89
| Jun sun = 401.7
| Jun percentsun = 92
| Jul sun = 390.9
| Jul percentsun = 88
| Aug sun = 368.5
| Aug percentsun = 88
| Sep sun = 337.1
| Sep percentsun = 91
| Oct sun = 304.4
| Oct percentsun = 87
| Nov sun = 246.0
| Nov percentsun = 80
| Dec sun = 236.0
| Dec percentsun = 78
| year percentsun = 86
| humidity colour =
| Jan humidity = 45.1
| Feb humidity = 39.6
| Mar humidity = 33.1
| Apr humidity = 25.0
| May humidity = 21.3
| Jun humidity = 16.5
| Jul humidity = 21.1
| Aug humidity = 25.6
| Sep humidity = 25.0
| Oct humidity = 28.8
| Nov humidity = 37.2
| Dec humidity = 45.0
| year humidity = 30.3
| Jan dew point C = −5.5
| Feb dew point C = −4.6
| Mar dew point C = −4.5
| Apr dew point C = −4.4
| May dew point C = −2.1
| Jun dew point C = −0.6
| Jul dew point C = 4.8
| Aug dew point C = 6.7
| Sep dew point C = 2.8
| Oct dew point C = −0.9
| Nov dew point C = −3.7
| Dec dew point C = −5.4
| source 1 = NOAA (relative humidity, dew point and sun 1961–1990)<ref name = "NOWData NWS Las Vegas, NV (VEF) - LASthr">{{cite web |url=https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=vef |title=NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |access-date=October 11, 2021 |archive-date=July 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721064827/https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=vef |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="NCEI Summary of Monthly Normals - 1991-2020">{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00023169&format=pdf |title=Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020 |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |access-date=October 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803055042/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00023169&format=pdf |archive-date=August 3, 2023 }}</ref><ref name= noaasun >{{cite web |url=ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_IV/US/GROUP3/72386.TXT |title=WMO Climate Normals for LAS VEGAS/MCCARRAN, NV 1961–1990 |access-date=October 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803055030/ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_IV/US/GROUP3/72386.TXT |archive-date=2023-08-03 |url-status=dead |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration }}</ref>
| source =
}}
{{Graph:Weather monthly history
| table=Ncei.noaa.gov/weather/Las Vegas.tab
| title=Las Vegas monthly weather statistics
}}
===Nearby communities===
[[File:SummerlinEntrance.jpg|thumb|The entrance to the community of [[Summerlin]]]]
* [[Boulder City, Nevada|Boulder City]], incorporated
* [[Enterprise, Nevada|Enterprise]], unincorporated
* [[Henderson, Nevada|Henderson]], incorporated
* [[Lone Mountain, Nevada|Lone Mountain]], unincorporated
* [[North Las Vegas, Nevada|North Las Vegas]], incorporated
* [[Paradise, Nevada|Paradise]], unincorporated
* [[Spring Valley, Nevada|Spring Valley]], unincorporated
* [[Summerlin South, Nevada|Summerlin South]], unincorporated
* [[Sunrise Manor, Nevada|Sunrise Manor]], unincorporated
* [[Whitney, Nevada|Whitney]], unincorporated
* [[Winchester, Nevada|Winchester]], unincorporated
===Neighborhoods===
* [[Downtown Las Vegas|Downtown]]
* [[The Lakes, Las Vegas|The Lakes]]
* [[Summerlin, Nevada|Summerlin]]
* [[West Las Vegas]]
==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1900 = 25
| 1910 = 800
| 1920 = 2304
| 1930 = 5165
| 1940 = 8422
| 1950 = 24624
| 1960 = 64405
| 1970 = 125787
| 1980 = 164674
| 1990 = 258295
| 2000 = 478434
| 2010 = 583756
| 2020 = 641903
| estyear = 2024
| estimate = 678922
| footnote = source:<ref name="City 2010">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/ |title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Las Vegas city, Nevada; count revision of 01-07-2018 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=March 9, 2018 |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709054630/https://www.census.gov/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Moffatt, Riley. ''Population History of Western U.S. Cities & Towns, 1850–1990''. [[Lanham, Maryland|Lanham]]: Scarecrow, 1996, 159.</ref><br />2010–2010<ref name="QuickFacts" /><ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web |title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Las Vegas city, Nevada |url=https://www.census.gov/ |access-date=March 9, 2012 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709054630/https://www.census.gov/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Las Vegas, Nevada – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br /><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name="2000CensusP004">{{Cite web |title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Las Vegas city, Nevada |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US3240000&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004 |access-date=January 26, 2024 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name="2010CensusP2">{{Cite web |title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Las Vegas city, Nevada |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US3240000&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2 |access-date=January 26, 2024 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web |title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Las Vegas city, Nevada |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US3240000&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 26, 2024 }}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|277,704
|279,703
| style="background: #ffffe6; " |259,561
|58.04%
|47.91%
| style="background: #ffffe6; " |40.44%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|48,380
|62,008
| style="background: #ffffe6; " |79,129
|10.11%
|10.62%
| style="background: #ffffe6; " |12.33%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|2,405
|2,391
| style="background: #ffffe6; " |2,291
|0.50%
|0.41%
| style="background: #ffffe6; " |0.36%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|22,411
|34,606
| style="background: #ffffe6; " |44,995
|4.68%
|5.93%
| style="background: #ffffe6; " |7.01%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|1,935
|3,103
| style="background: #ffffe6; " |4,204
|0.40%
|0.53%
| style="background: #ffffe6; " |0.65%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|650
|1,101
| style="background: #ffffe6; " |3,855
|0.14%
|0.19%
| style="background: #ffffe6; " |0.60%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|11,987
|16,985
| style="background: #ffffe6; " |34,040
|2.51%
|2.91%
| style="background: #ffffe6; " |5.30%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|112,962
|183,859
| style="background: #ffffe6; " |213,828
|23.61%
|31.50%
| style="background: #ffffe6; " |33.31%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''474,434'''
|'''583,756'''
| style="background: #ffffe6; " |'''641,903'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
| style="background: #ffffe6; " |'''100.00%'''
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
|}
===2020 census===
According to the [[2020 United States census]], the city of Las Vegas had 644,883 people living in 244,429 [[household]]s. The racial composition of the City of Las Vegas was 49.2% [[White Americans|white]], 11.9% [[African Americans|black]], 1.1% [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]] or [[Alaska Natives|Alaska Native]], 6.9% Asian, [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] residents of any race were 34.1% and 16.2% from [[Multiracial Americans|two or more races]]. 40.8% were [[Non-Hispanic whites|non-Hispanic white]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=April 1, 2020 |title=Quick Facts: Las Vegas city, Nevda |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/lasvegascitynevada,US/POP010220 |website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
Approximately 5.8% of residents are under the age of five, 22.8% under the age of eighteen and 15.6% over 65 years old. Females are 50.0% of the total population.<ref name=":4" />
[[File:Las Vegas Racial Map.png|thumb|Map of racial distribution in the Las Vegas area, 2020 U.S. Census. Each dot is 25 people: {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=#4093ff|White}} {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=#22e11a|Black}} {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=#ea2be1|Asian}} {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=#fec730|Hispanic}} {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=#d60d2c|Native American}} {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=#9a6526|Mixed or Other}}]]
From 2019 to 2023, Las Vegas had approximately 244,429 [[household]]s, with an average of 2.63 persons per household. About 55.7% of housing units were owner-occupied, and the median value of owner-occupied housing was $395,300. Median gross rent during this period was $1,456 per month (in 2023 dollars).<ref name=":4" />
The median [[Disposable household and per capita income|household income]] in Las Vegas from 2019 to 2023 was $70,723, while the [[per capita]] income was $38,421 (in 2023 dollars). Approximately 14.2% of the population lived below the poverty line during the same period.<ref name=":4" />
Residents over 25 years old with a [[high school diploma]] were 85.8% of the population with 27.3% having attained a [[Tertiary education|bachelor's degree or higher]].<ref name=":4" />
About 33.0% of residents aged 5 and older speak a language other than English at home. 20.9% of residents are foreign-born.<ref name=":4" />
The mean travel time to work for residents aged 16 and older was approximately 25.8 minutes between 2019 and 2023. The vast majority of households in Las Vegas are [[Internet access|digitally connected]], with 95.6% having a computer and 89.1% subscribing to [[Broadband|broadband internet]] services.
Filipinos make up the largest Asian population in Las Vegas. 31,931 Filipinos live within the city limits, making up 4.8% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grid View: Table B02018 - Census Reporter |url=https://censusreporter.org/data/table/?table=B02018&geo_ids=16000US3240000&primary_geo_id=16000US3240000#valueType%7Cestimate |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=censusreporter.org}}</ref> In the Las Vegas area as a whole, there are 162,802 Filipinos, making up 7% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grid View: Table B02018 - Census Reporter |url=https://censusreporter.org/data/table/?table=B02018&geo_ids=31000US29820&primary_geo_id=31000US29820#valueType%7Cestimate |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=censusreporter.org}}</ref> Native Hawaiians are also a major demographic in the city, numbering 20,829 in the city and surrounding suburbs,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grid View: Table B02019 - Census Reporter |url=https://censusreporter.org/data/table/?table=B02019&geo_ids=31000US29820&primary_geo_id=31000US29820#valueType%7Cestimate |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=censusreporter.org}}</ref> with some Hawaiians and Las Vegas residents calling the city the "ninth island of [[Hawaii]]" due to the major influx of Hawaiians to Vegas.<ref>{{cite journal |date=Autumn 2012 |title=Las Vegas: Bright Lights, Big City, Small Town |url=http://stateofthereunion.com/home/season-2-2/las-vegas-nv |url-status=dead |journal=State of the Reunion |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602145540/http://stateofthereunion.com/home/season-2-2/las-vegas-nv |archive-date=June 2, 2013 |access-date=July 5, 2013}}</ref>
According to a 2004 study, Las Vegas has one of the highest divorce rates.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Nichols |first1=Mark W. |last2=Stitt |first2=B. Grant |last3=Giacopassi |first3=David |date=2004-12-01 |title=Changes in Suicide and Divorce in New Casino Jurisdictions |url=https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=1f3a4b4248a1fe551370f8bd5916caeec83bf8c8 |format=PDF |journal=Journal of Gambling Studies |language=en |volume=20 |issue=4 |pages=391–404 |doi=10.1007/s10899-004-4581-z |pmid=15577274 |issn=1573-3602}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Blakeslee |first=Sandra |date=December 16, 1997 |title=Suicide Rate Higher in 3 Gambling Cities, Study Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/16/us/suicide-rate-higher-in-3-gambling-cities-study-says.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090929102825/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/16/us/suicide-rate-higher-in-3-gambling-cities-study-says.html |archive-date=September 29, 2009 |access-date=July 13, 2009 |newspaper=[[New York Times]]}}</ref> The city's high divorce rate is not wholly due to Las Vegans themselves getting divorced. Compared to other states, Nevada's nonrestrictive requirements for divorce result in many couples temporarily moving to Las Vegas in order to get divorced.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last1=Clifford-Cruz |first1=Rebecca |last2=Goldberg |first2=Delen |date=June 15, 2015 |title=Why Sin City is the wedding mecca and divorce capital of the country |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2015/jun/15/las-vegas-wedding-mecca-and-divorce-capital/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610045606/https://lasvegassun.com/news/2015/jun/15/las-vegas-wedding-mecca-and-divorce-capital/ |archive-date=June 10, 2023 |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=[[Las Vegas Sun]] |language=en}}</ref> Similarly, Nevada marriage requirements are equally lax resulting in one of the highest marriage rates of U.S. cities, with many licenses issued to people from outside the area (see [[Las Vegas weddings]]).<ref name=":1" />
=== 2010 census ===
According to the [[2010 United States census|2010 Census]], the city of Las Vegas had a population of 583,756. The city's racial composition had shifted slightly, with 47.91% of the population identifying as White alone (non-Hispanic), 10.63% as Black or African American alone (non-Hispanic), 0.41% as Native American or Alaska Native alone (non-Hispanic), 5.93% as Asian alone (non-Hispanic), 0.53% as Pacific Islander alone (non-Hispanic), 0.19% as Other Race alone (non-Hispanic), and 2.91% as Mixed race or Multiracial (non-Hispanic). Hispanic or Latino individuals of any race represented 31.50% of the population.<ref name="2010CensusP2" />
=== 2000 census ===
According to the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], Las Vegas had a population of 474,434 people. The racial makeup of the city was 58.52% White alone (non-Hispanic), 10.19% Black or African American alone (non-Hispanic), 0.51% Native American or Alaska Native alone (non-Hispanic), 4.72% Asian alone (non-Hispanic), 0.41% Pacific Islander alone (non-Hispanic), 0.14% Other Race alone (non-Hispanic), and 2.52% Mixed race or Multiracial (non-Hispanic). Hispanic or Latino individuals of any race made up 23.81% of the population.<ref name="2000CensusP004" />
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
!Historical racial profile
! 2020<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://data.statesmanjournal.com/census/total-population/total-population-change/las-vegas-city-nevada/160-3240000/|title=Las Vegas city, Nevada Demographics and Housing 2020 Decennial Census | statesmanjournal.com}}</ref>!! 2010<ref name="census">{{cite web |title=Las Vegas (city), Nevada |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/32/3240000.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218135531/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/32/3240000.html |archive-date=February 18, 2009 |access-date=April 20, 2012 |work=State & County QuickFacts |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref>!! 2000<ref>{{cite web |title=Race and Hispanic or Latino: 2000 |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml? |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20161025124033/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml |archive-date=October 25, 2016 |access-date=November 30, 2018 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref> !! 1990<ref name="census1">{{cite web |title=Nevada – Race and Hispanic Origin for Selected Cities and Other Places: Earliest Census to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120812191959/http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html |archive-date=August 12, 2012 |access-date=April 20, 2012 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref> !! 1970<ref name="census1" />
|-
| [[White American|White]] || 46.0% || 62.1% || 69.9% || 78.4% || 87.6%
|-
| —[[Non-Hispanic whites|Non-Hispanic Whites]] || 40.4% || 47.9% || 58.0% || 72.1% || 83.1%{{efn|name="fifteen"|From 15% sample}}
|-
| [[African American|Black or African American]] || 12.9% || 11.1% || 10.4% || 11.4% || 11.2%
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (of any race) || 33.3% || 31.5% || 23.6% || 12.5% || 4.6%{{efn|name="fifteen"}}
|-
| [[Asian American|Asian]] || 7.2% || 6.1% || 4.8% || 3.6% || 0.7%
|}
==Economy==
The primary drivers of the Las Vegas economy are tourism, [[Downtown (Nevada gaming area)|gaming]], and conventions, which in turn feed the retail and restaurant industries.
===Tourism===
[[File:Golden Nugget 2008.jpg|thumb|The [[Golden Nugget Las Vegas]]]]
[[File:Night aerial view, Las Vegas, Nevada, 04649u.jpg|thumb|The [[Las Vegas Strip]], primarily located in [[Paradise, Nevada|Paradise]]]]
[[File:Las Vegas at night (9118927988).jpg|thumb|A view of the [[Las Vegas Valley]] looking north from the [[Stratosphere Tower]]]]
The major attractions in Las Vegas are the casinos and the hotels, although in recent years other new attractions have begun to emerge.{{cn|date=August 2025}}
Most casinos in the downtown area are on [[Fremont Street]], with [[Stratosphere Las Vegas|The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Skypod]] as one of the few exceptions. [[Fremont East]], adjacent to 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.{{cn|date=August 2025}}
====Downtown casinos====
{{Main|Downtown (Nevada gaming area)}}
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, the [[Northern Club (casino)|Northern Club]] (now the [[La Bayou]]) opened.<ref name=lvrj20000727>{{cite news |first=Heidi Knapp |last=Rinella |title=New book raises questions about Silver State |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 27, 2000 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.a2zlasvegas.com/fse/fse01.html |title=Fremont Street Experience Brings Downtown Las Vegas into Next Century |access-date=December 8, 2008 |publisher=[[Fremont Street Experience]] |archive-date=March 10, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310095204/http://www.a2zlasvegas.com/fse/fse01.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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]].{{cn|date=August 2025}}
[[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 the Fremont Street Experience.{{cn|date=August 2025}}
Downtown casinos that have undergone major renovations and revitalization in recent years include the [[Golden Nugget Las Vegas]], [[The D Las Vegas]] (formerly Fitzgerald's), the [[Downtown Grand|Downtown Grand Las Vegas]] (formerly Lady Luck), the [[El Cortez (Las Vegas)|El Cortez Hotel & Casino]], and the [[Plaza Hotel & Casino]].<ref>2013 Fiscal Year in Review, city of Las Vegas Economic and Urban Development Projects, "A New Downtown Emerges."</ref>
In 2020, [[Circa Resort & Casino]] opened, becoming the first all-new hotel-casino to be built on Fremont Street since 1980.<ref name=Kat>{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |title=Circa is Las Vegas pioneer Derek Stevens' chosen title |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/circa-is-las-vegas-pioneer-derek-stevens-chosen-title-video-1570930/ |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 10, 2019 |access-date=August 22, 2019 |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813060904/https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/circa-is-las-vegas-pioneer-derek-stevens-chosen-title-video-1570930/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
====Las
<!--The Las Vegas Strip is not actually located in city limits. Please keep this section short-->
{{main|Las Vegas Strip}}
The center of the gambling and entertainment industry is the [[Las Vegas Strip]], outside the city limits in the surrounding unincorporated communities of [[Paradise, Nevada|Paradise]] and [[Winchester, Nevada|Winchester]] in Clark County. Some of the largest casinos and buildings are there.<ref name="LVS 2008-05-15">{{cite news |url=https://m.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/may/15/evolution-worlds-entertainment-capital/ |title=Showtime: How Sin City evolved into 'The Entertainment Capital of the World' |last1=Koch |first1=Ed |last2=Manning |first2=Mary |date=May 15, 2008 |newspaper=[[Las Vegas Sun]] |access-date=March 3, 2019 |last3=Toplikar |first3=Dave |archive-date=March 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043145/https://m.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/may/15/evolution-worlds-entertainment-capital/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
====Welcome signs====
{{multiple image
| direction = vertical
| image1 = Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas.jpg
| caption1 = The original Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign
| image2 = City of Las Vegas Sign.jpg
| caption2 = Gateway Arches
}}
In 1929, the city installed a welcome arch over [[Fremont Street]], at the corner of Main Street.<ref>{{cite news |title=Great 'Welcome' Arch Planned For Officials |url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86076141/1929-06-13/ed-1/seq-1/ |work=Las Vegas Age |date=June 13, 1929 |access-date=December 11, 2023 |page=1 |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211183731/https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86076141/1929-06-13/ed-1/seq-1/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Welcome Arch Material Fund Grows Rapidly |url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86076141/1929-06-15/ed-1/seq-1/ |work=Las Vegas Age |date=June 15, 1929 |access-date=December 11, 2023 |page=1 |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211183731/https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86076141/1929-06-15/ed-1/seq-1/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Put a Star on It: A Brief History of the Welcome Sign |url=https://www.neonmuseum.org/the-collection/blog/put-a-star-on-it |website=[[Neon Museum]] |access-date=December 11, 2023 |date=January 2, 2019 |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211183731/https://www.neonmuseum.org/the-collection/blog/put-a-star-on-it |url-status=live }}</ref> It remained in place until 1931.<ref>{{cite news |title=Welcome Arch Will be Razed |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Welcome%20Arch%20Will%20be%20Razed%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 2, 1931 |access-date=December 11, 2023 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211183732/https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Welcome%20Arch%20Will%20be%20Razed%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Welcome Arch is Razed Last Eve |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Welcome%20Arch%20is%20Razed%20Last%20Eve%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 4, 1931 |access-date=December 11, 2023 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211183731/https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Welcome%20Arch%20is%20Razed%20Last%20Eve%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 1959, the {{Convert|25|ft|m|-tall|adj=mid}} [[Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign]] was installed at the south end of the [[Las Vegas Strip]]. A replica welcome sign, standing nearly {{Convert|16|ft|m}} tall, was installed within city limits in 2002, at [[Las Vegas Boulevard]] and Fourth Street.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Other Las Vegas |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2002/Dec-04-Wed-2002/news/20202414.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 4, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050908080804/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2002/Dec-04-Wed-2002/news/20202414.html |archive-date=September 8, 2005 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/13/garden/13VEGA.html |title=A Neon Come-Hither, Still Able to Flirt |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |first=Patricia Leigh |last=Brown |date=January 13, 2005 |access-date=December 18, 2020 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=April 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424060902/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/13/garden/13VEGA.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ask Mr. Sun: The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign |url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/nov/25/ask-mr-sun/ |access-date=December 11, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=November 25, 2008 |archive-date=March 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323170426/https://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/nov/25/ask-mr-sun/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The replica was destroyed in 2016, when a pickup truck crashed into it.<ref>{{cite news |last=Michor |first=Max |title='Welcome to Fabulous Downtown Las Vegas' sign destroyed by truck |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/welcome-to-fabulous-downtown-las-vegas-sign-destroyed-by-truck/ |access-date=December 11, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 17, 2016 |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211183731/https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/welcome-to-fabulous-downtown-las-vegas-sign-destroyed-by-truck/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2018, the city approved plans for a new gateway landmark in the form of neon arches. It was built within city limits, in front of the [[The Strat|Strat]] resort and north of [[Sahara Avenue]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Akers |first=Mick |title=Neon arches to welcome visitors to downtown Las Vegas |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2018/may/18/neon-arches-to-welcome-visitors-to-downtown-las-ve/ |access-date=December 11, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=May 18, 2018 |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220182555/https://lasvegassun.com/news/2018/may/18/neon-arches-to-welcome-visitors-to-downtown-las-ve/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The project, built by [[YESCO]], cost $6.5 million and stands {{Convert|80|ft|m}} high.<ref>{{cite news |last=Akers |first=Mick |title=Downtown Las Vegas gateway arch construction to start this month |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/downtown/downtown-las-vegas-gateway-arch-construction-to-start-this-month-1970233/ |access-date=December 11, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=March 2, 2020 }}</ref> Officially known as the Gateway Arches, the project was completed in 2020. The steel arches are blue during the day, and light up in a variety of colors at night.<ref>{{cite news |last=Forgione |first=Mary |title=Can Sin City's new Gateway Arches outshine the Welcome to Las Vegas sign? |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2020-11-19/meet-gateway-arches-newest-landmark-las-vegas |access-date=December 11, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=November 19, 2020 |archive-date=January 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101085728/https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2020-11-19/meet-gateway-arches-newest-landmark-las-vegas |url-status=live }}</ref>
Also located just north of the Strat are a pair of giant neon showgirls, initially added in 2018 as part of a $400,000 welcome display. The original showgirls were {{Convert|25|ft|m}} tall, but were replaced by new ones in 2022, rising {{Convert|50|ft|m}}.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lane |first=Taylor |title=50-foot showgirls coming to north Strip |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/the-strip/50-foot-showgirls-coming-to-north-strip-2617126/ |access-date=December 11, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=August 2, 2022 |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211183732/https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/the-strip/50-foot-showgirls-coming-to-north-strip-2617126/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=Garcia>{{cite news |last=Garcia |first=Tony |title=Pair of 50-foot-tall showgirls make downtown debut |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/downtown/pair-of-50-foot-tall-showgirls-make-downtown-debut-photos-2632539/ |access-date=December 11, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=August 31, 2022 |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211183733/https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/downtown/pair-of-50-foot-tall-showgirls-make-downtown-debut-photos-2632539/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The originals were refurbished following weather damage and installed at the [[Las Vegas Arts District]].<ref name=Garcia/><ref>{{cite news |title=25-foot-tall showgirls relocated to Las Vegas Arts District gateway |url=https://news3lv.com/news/local/25-foot-tall-showgirls-relocated-to-las-vegas-arts-district-gateway-city-of-lv-southern-nevada-clark-county-the-strat-casino-center |access-date=December 11, 2023 |work=KSNV |date=March 14, 2023 }}</ref>
===Development===
{{See also|List of tallest buildings in Las Vegas}}
When [[The Mirage]] opened in 1989, it started a trend of major resort development on the Las Vegas Strip outside of the city. This resulted in a drop in tourism in the downtown area, but many recent projects have increased the number of visitors to downtown.{{cn|date=August 2025}}
An effort has been made by city officials to diversify the economy by attracting health-related, high-tech and other commercial interests. No state tax for individuals or corporations, as well as a lack of other forms of business-related taxes, have aided the success of these efforts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lvrda.org/ |title=Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency |website=City of Las Vegas |access-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-date=May 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504162022/http://lvrda.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The Fremont Street Experience was built in an effort to draw tourists back to the area and has been popular since its startup in 1995.{{cn|date=August 2025}}
The city conducted a land-swap deal in 2000 with [[Lehman Brothers]], acquiring {{convert|61|acre}} of property near downtown Las Vegas in exchange for {{Convert|91|acre|ha}} of the Las Vegas Technology Center.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Neff |first=Erin |date=July 20, 2000 |title=LV Council OKs Talks for Downtown Land Deal |url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2000/jul/20/lv-council-oks-talks-for-downtown-land-deal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080502142243/http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2000/jul/20/lv-council-oks-talks-for-downtown-land-deal/ |archive-date=May 2, 2008 |work=[[Las Vegas Sun]]}}</ref> In 2004, Las Vegas Mayor [[Oscar Goodman]] announced that the area would become home to [[Symphony Park]] (originally called "Union Park"<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 21, 2009 |title=Area in downtown Las Vegas renamed Symphony Park |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/area-in-downtown-las-vegas-renamed-symphony-park/ |work=[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]]}}</ref>), a mixed-use development. The development is home to the [[Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health]], [[The Smith Center for the Performing Arts]], the [[Discovery Children's Museum]], the Las Vegas [[Chamber of commerce|Chamber of Commerce]], and four residential projects totaling 600 residential units as of 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Symphony Park |url=https://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/Business/Economic-Development/Symphony-Park |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905165352/https://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/Business/Economic-Development/Symphony-Park |archive-date=September 5, 2024 |access-date=January 11, 2025 |website=City of Las Vegas}}</ref>
[[File:World Market Center - panoramio (1).jpg|thumb|[[World Market Center Las Vegas|World Market Center]] Building A]]
In 2005, the [[World Market Center]] opened, consisting of three large buildings taking up {{Convert|5,400,000|sqft|m2|spell=}}. Trade shows for the furniture and furnishing industries are held there semiannually.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gillan |first=Jeff |date=April 30, 2018 |title=You've seen it a million times. What's inside the World Market Center? |url=https://news3lv.com/news/local/can-you-fly-drones-near-a-firefighting-operation-sort-of |work=[[KSNV-TV]]}}</ref>
Also nearby is the Las Vegas North Premium Outlets. With a second expansion, completed in May 2015, the mall currently offers 175 stores.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.premiumoutlets.com/lasvegas |title=Premium Outlets: Las Vegas |website=[[Simon Property Group]] |access-date=September 13, 2014 |archive-date=October 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012111451/http://www.premiumoutlets.com/lasvegas/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
City offices moved to a new [[Las Vegas City Hall]] in February 2013 on downtown's Main Street. The former city hall building is now occupied by the corporate headquarters for the online retailer [[Zappos.com]], which opened downtown in 2013. Zappos CEO [[Tony Hsieh]] took an interest in the urban area and contributed $350 million toward a revitalization effort called the Downtown Project.<ref>{{cite web |title=Revitalizing Downtown Las Vegas |url=http://www.downtownproject.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912234208/http://downtownproject.com/ |archive-date=September 12, 2014 |access-date=September 13, 2014 |website=Downtown Project}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=What Happens in Brooklyn Moves to Vegas |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/21/magazine/what-happens-in-brooklyn-moves-to-vegas.html |first=Timothy |last=Pratt |date=October 19, 2012 |access-date=December 18, 2020 |url-access=subscription |journal=[[The New York Times Magazine]] |archive-date=December 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205011331/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/21/magazine/what-happens-in-brooklyn-moves-to-vegas.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Projects funded include Las Vegas's first independent bookstore, [[The Writer's Block]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://knpr.org/knpr/2014-12/despite-e-books-independent-bookstore-gambling-downtown-las-vegas |title=Despite E-Books, Independent Bookstore Gambling on Downtown Las Vegas |first=Chris |last=Sieroty |publisher=[[KNPR]] News |access-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530082035/http://knpr.org/knpr/2014-12/despite-e-books-independent-bookstore-gambling-downtown-las-vegas |archive-date=May 30, 2015 }}</ref>
===Other industries===
A number of new industries have moved to Las Vegas in recent decades. [[Zappos.com]] (now an [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] subsidiary) was founded in San Francisco but by 2013 had moved its headquarters to downtown Las Vegas. [[Allegiant Air]], a low-cost air carrier, launched in 1997 with its first hub at [[Harry Reid International Airport]] and headquarters in nearby Summerlin.{{cn|date=August 2025}}
[[Planet 13 Holdings]], a cannabis company, opened the world's largest [[Cannabis shop|cannabis dispensary]] in Las Vegas at {{cvt|112,000|sqft|m2}}.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/02/planet-13-worlds-largest-cannabis-dispensary-opens-in-las-vegas.html |title=The world's largest cannabis dispensary just opened in Vegas—and it has an entertainment complex attached |last=Im |first=Jimmy |date=November 3, 2018 |website=[[CNBC]] |language=en |access-date=June 25, 2019 |archive-date=June 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624135908/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/02/planet-13-worlds-largest-cannabis-dispensary-opens-in-las-vegas.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/11/15/18096082/planet-13-marijuana-dispensary-las-vegas-luxury-marketing-branding-cannabis |title=We visited the world's largest cannabis dispensary |last=Chen |first=Angela |date=November 15, 2018 |journal=[[The Verge]] |access-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-date=June 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624135911/https://www.theverge.com/2018/11/15/18096082/planet-13-marijuana-dispensary-las-vegas-luxury-marketing-branding-cannabis |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Effects of growth on water supply ===
A growing population means the Las Vegas Valley used {{convert|1.2|e9USgal|e9L|abbr=unit}} more water in 2014 than in 2011. Although water conservation efforts implemented in the wake of a 2002 drought have had some success, local [[Water footprint|water consumption]] remains 30 percent greater than in Los Angeles, and over three times that of San Francisco metropolitan area residents. The [[Southern Nevada Water Authority]] is building a $1.4 billion tunnel and pumping station to bring water from [[Lake Mead]], has purchased water rights throughout Nevada, and has planned a controversial $3.2 billion [[Water transportation|pipeline]] across half the state. By law, the Las Vegas Water Service District "may deny any request for a water commitment or request for a water connection if the District has an inadequate supply of water." But limiting growth on the basis of an inadequate water supply has been unpopular with the casino and building industries.<ref name=":0" />
==Culture==
{{Main|Las Vegas Valley#Culture and the arts}}
{{see also|List of Las Vegas landmarks}}
{{redirect|Las Vegas culture|the ancient Ecuadorian civilization|Las Vegas culture (archaeology)}}
[[File:The Smith Center for the Performing Arts & DISCOVERY Children's Museum.jpg|thumb|The [[Smith Center for the Performing Arts]] & Discovery Museum]] [[File:LasVegasSymphonyPark1.jpg|thumb|[[Symphony Park]] in [[Downtown Las Vegas]]]]
The city is home to several museums, including the [[Neon Museum]] (the ___location for many of the historical signs from Las Vegas's mid-20th century heyday), The [[Mob Museum]], the [[Las Vegas Natural History Museum]], the Discovery Children's Museum, the Nevada State Museum and the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park.{{cn|date=August 2025}}
The city's extensive [[Downtown Arts District]] hosts numerous galleries and events, including the annual Las Vegas Film Festival. "First Friday" is a monthly celebration that includes arts, music, special presentations and food in a section of the city's downtown region called 18b, The Las Vegas Arts District.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.18b.org |title=18b Las Vegas Art District |website=18b.org |access-date=September 13, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926124536/http://www.18b.org/ |archive-date=September 26, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The festival extends into the Fremont East Entertainment District.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.firstfridaylasvegas.com |title=First Friday Main Menu |website=First Friday Las Vegas Network |access-date=September 13, 2014 |archive-date=July 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715152336/http://www.firstfridaylasvegas.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Thursday evening before First Friday is known in the arts district as "Preview Thursday", which highlights new gallery exhibitions throughout the district.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/arts-culture/preview-thursday-less-hectic-than-first-friday-art-event/ |title=Preview Thursday less hectic than First Friday art event |date=May 22, 2013 |website=[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]] |access-date=July 24, 2022 |archive-date=July 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724224815/https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/arts-culture/preview-thursday-less-hectic-than-first-friday-art-event/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The [[Las Vegas Academy|Las Vegas Academy of International Studies, Performing and Visual Arts]] is a [[Grammy]] award-winning [[magnet school]] located in [[downtown Las Vegas]]. The [[Smith Center for the Performing Arts]] is downtown in [[Symphony Park]] and hosts various Broadway shows and other artistic performances.{{cn|date=August 2025}}
Las Vegas has earned the moniker "Gambling Capital of the World", as it has the world's most land-based casinos.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vegasmobilecasino.co.uk/las-vegas-gambling-capital-of-the-world |title=Las Vegas Gambling Capital |date=August 31, 2016 |publisher=vegasmobilecasino.co.uk |access-date=September 5, 2017 }}</ref> The city is also host to more [[AAA Five Diamond Award|AAA Five Diamond]] hotels than any other city in the world.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/dispatches/2014/01/17/aaa-five-diamond-hotels-restaurants/4496183 |title=AAA chooses Five Diamond hotels, restaurants for 2014 |first=Nancy |last=Trejos |date=January 17, 2014 |newspaper=USA Today |access-date=January 10, 2015 |archive-date=April 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426052234/http://www.usatoday.com/story/dispatches/2014/01/17/aaa-five-diamond-hotels-restaurants/4496183/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Sports==
{{Main|Sports in the Las Vegas metropolitan area}}
{{See also|Nevada#Sports}}
[[File:Allegiantstadiumjune2020.jpg|thumb|[[Allegiant Stadium]] is the home of the [[Las Vegas Raiders]] [[NFL]] football team.]]
The Las Vegas Valley is the home of three [[Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada|major professional]] teams: the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL)'s [[Vegas Golden Knights]], an [[expansion team]] that began play in the [[2017–18 NHL season]] at [[T-Mobile Arena]] in nearby [[Paradise, Nevada|Paradise]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Rosen |first=Dan |title=Las Vegas awarded NHL franchise |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-expands-to-las-vegas/c-281010682 |publisher=NHL Enterprises, L.P. |website=NHL.com |date=June 22, 2016 |access-date=May 20, 2022 |archive-date=March 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331111938/https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-expands-to-las-vegas/c-281010682 |url-status=live }}</ref> the [[National Football League]] (NFL)'s [[Las Vegas Raiders]], who [[Oakland Raiders relocation to Las Vegas|relocated]] from [[Oakland, California]], in 2020 and play at [[Allegiant Stadium]] in Paradise,<ref>{{cite news |last=Rosenthal |first=Gregg |title=NFL owners approve Raiders' move to Las Vegas |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-owners-approve-raiders-move-to-las-vegas-0ap3000000795413 |publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC |website=NFL.com |date=March 27, 2017 |access-date=May 20, 2022 |archive-date=July 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705135442/https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-owners-approve-raiders-move-to-las-vegas-0ap3000000795413 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the [[Women's National Basketball Association]] (WNBA)'s [[Las Vegas Aces]], who play at the [[Mandalay Bay Events Center]]. The [[Athletics (baseball)|Athletics]] of [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) will [[Oakland Athletics relocation to Las Vegas|move to Las Vegas]] by 2028.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 20, 2023 |title=Oakland A's close in on move to Las Vegas after signing land deal for stadium |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/apr/20/oakland-athletics-las-vegas-relocation-stadium |access-date=April 20, 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722191816/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/apr/20/oakland-athletics-las-vegas-relocation-stadium |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=DUBOW |first=JOSH |date=April 20, 2023 |title=Oakland A's purchase land for new stadium in Las Vegas |url=https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/oakland-a-s-purchase-land-for-new-stadium-in-las-17907772.php |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=SFGATE |language=en-US |archive-date=April 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426042422/https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/oakland-a-s-purchase-land-for-new-stadium-in-las-17907772.php |url-status=live }}</ref>
Two minor league sports teams play in the Las Vegas area. The [[Las Vegas Aviators]] of the [[Pacific Coast League]], the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] farm club of the Athletics, play at [[Las Vegas Ballpark]] in nearby Summerlin.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lasvegasnow.com/news/las-vegas-51s-to-rebrand-rename-team/1126644358 |title=Las Vegas 51s to rebrand, rename team |first=Nikki |last=Bowers |work=[[KLAS-TV|KLAS News]] |date=April 17, 2018 |access-date=April 18, 2018 |archive-date=April 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418162117/http://www.lasvegasnow.com/news/las-vegas-51s-to-rebrand-rename-team/1126644358 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Las Vegas Lights FC]] of the [[United Soccer League]] play in [[Cashman Field]] in Downtown Las Vegas.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lasvegaslightsfc.com/ |title=Las Vegas Lights FC |website=www.lasvegaslightsfc.com |access-date=October 24, 2018 |archive-date=May 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501154040/https://www.lasvegaslightsfc.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uslsoccer.com/ |title=Home |website=United Soccer League |access-date=October 24, 2018 |archive-date=November 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108025818/https://www.uslsoccer.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The Las Vegas metropolitan area has been the site of many prominent [[combat sport]]s events, such as [[boxing]] and [[Mixed martial arts|MMA]], with Las Vegas being considered by many as the "fight capital of the world".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-07 |title=The fight capitals of the world and the biggest fights to happen in them |url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/37970024/the-fight-capitals-world-biggest-boxing-mma-fights-happen-them |access-date=2025-06-27 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> The mixed martial arts promotion, [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]] (UFC), is headquartered in Las Vegas and also frequently holds fights in the city at T-Mobile Arena and at the UFC Apex training facility near the headquarters.<ref>{{cite web |title=UFC Apex Officially Opens in Las Vegas |url=https://www.ufc.com/news/ufc-apex-officially-opens-las-vegas |website=UFC.com |date=June 18, 2019 |access-date=April 15, 2021 |archive-date=April 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416211834/https://www.ufc.com/news/ufc-apex-officially-opens-las-vegas |url-status=live }}</ref>
North of Las Vegas is the [[Las Vegas Motor Speedway]], a 1.5 mile tri-oval constructed in 1972 that hosts two [[NASCAR Cup Series]] races each year, [[Pennzoil 400 (Las Vegas)|one in the spring]] and a [[South Point 400|playoff race in the fall]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lvms.com/|title=Home|website=www.lvms.com}}</ref>
===List of teams===
====Major professional teams====
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;" |
|- style="text-align:center;"
!Team
!Sport
!League
!Venue (capacity)
!Established
!Titles
|- style="text-align:center;"
![[Las Vegas Raiders]]
|Football
|[[National Football League|NFL]]
|[[Allegiant Stadium]] (65,000)
|style="text-align:center;"|2020
|style=text-align:center;"|3{{efn|Two titles were won when the team was based in [[Oakland, California]] and one was won during the team's time in [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]].}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
![[Vegas Golden Knights]]
|Ice hockey
|[[National Hockey League|NHL]]
|[[T-Mobile Arena]] (17,500)
|style="text-align:center;"|2017
|style="text-align:center;"|1
|- style="text-align:center;"
![[Las Vegas Aces]]
|Women's basketball
|[[Women's National Basketball Association|WNBA]]
|[[Michelob Ultra Arena]] (12,000)
|style="text-align:center;"|2018
|style="text-align:center;"|2
|}
====Minor professional teams====
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;" |
|- style="text-align:center;"
!Team
!Sport
!League
!Venue (capacity)
!Established
!Titles
|- style="text-align:center;"
![[Las Vegas Aviators]]
|Baseball
|[[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]] ([[Triple-A (baseball)|AAA]]-[[Pacific Coast League|PCL]])
|[[Las Vegas Ballpark]] (10,000)
|style="text-align:center;"|1983
|style="text-align:center;"|2
|- style="text-align:center;"
![[Henderson Silver Knights]]
|Ice hockey
|[[American Hockey League|AHL]]
|[[Lee's Family Forum]] (5,567)
| style="text-align:center;"|2020
| style="text-align:center;"|0
|- style="text-align:center;"
![[Las Vegas Lights FC]]
|Soccer
|[[USL Championship|USLC]]
|[[Cashman Field]] (9,334)
|style="text-align:center;"|2018
|style="text-align:center;"|0
|- style="text-align:center;"
![[Vegas Knight Hawks]]
|Indoor football
|[[Indoor Football League|IFL]]
|[[Lee's Family Forum]] (6,019)
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan=2|2021
|style="text-align:center;"|0
|- style="text-align:center;"
![[Las Vegas Desert Dogs]]
|Box lacrosse
|[[National Lacrosse League|NLL]]
|[[Lee's Family Forum]] (5,567)
|style="text-align:center;"|0
|}
====Semi-pro and amateur teams====
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;" |
|- style="text-align:center;"
!Team
!Sport
!League
!Venue (capacity)
!Established
!Titles
|- style="text-align:center;"
!Las Vegas Dream
| rowspan="2" |Basketball
| rowspan="2" |[[American Basketball Association (2000–present)|ABA]]
| rowspan="2" |
|2023
|
|- style="text-align:center;"
!Las Vegas Royals
|2020
|
|- style="text-align:center;"
!Vegas Jesters
|rowspan=2|Ice hockey
|[[Mountain West Hockey League|MWHL]]
|rowspan=2|[[City National Arena]] (600)
|2012
|0
|- style="text-align:center;"
![[Las Vegas Thunderbirds]]
|[[United States Premier Hockey League|USPHL]]
|2019
|0
|- style="text-align:center;"
![[Las Vegas Legends]]
|Soccer
|[[National Premier Soccer League|NPSL]]
|Peter Johann Memorial Field (2,500)
|style="text-align:center;"|2021
|style="text-align:center;"|0
|- style="text-align:center;"
!Vegas NVaders
|Women's football
|[[Women's Football Alliance|WFA]] - D2
|[[Desert Pines High School]] (N/A)
|2023
|0
|}
====College teams====
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;" |
|- style="text-align:center;"
! School
! Team
! League
! Division
! Primary Conference
|- style="text-align:center;"
|[[University of Nevada, Las Vegas]] (UNLV)
![[UNLV Rebels]]
|[[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]
|[[NCAA Division I]]
|[[Mountain West Conference|Mountain West]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
|[[College of Southern Nevada]] (CSN)
![[CSN Coyotes]]
|[[National Junior College Athletic Association|NJCAA]]
|[[List of NJCAA Division I schools|NJCAA Division I]]
|[[Scenic West Athletic Conference|Scenic West]]
|}
{{clear}}
==Parks and recreation==
[[File:04 Spanish Trail Country Club 27-hole golf course in Las Vegas, Nevada - Creative Commons free photo with attribution.jpg|thumb|right|Spanish Trail Country Club, a 27-hole golf course]]
The city's parks and recreation department operates 78 regional, community, neighborhood, and pocket parks; four municipal swimming pools, 11 recreational centers, four active adult centers, eight cultural centers, six galleries, eleven dog parks, and four golf courses: Angel Park Golf Club, Desert Pines Golf Club, Durango Hills Golf Club, and the Las Vegas Municipal Golf Course.<ref>''[https://files.lasvegasnevada.gov/public-works/Traffic%20Engineering/Access%20to%20parks.pdf City of Las Vegas Vision Zero Program: Guiding Principles for Safe Access to City of Las Vegas Parks]'' .(July 8, 2024). City of Las Vegas, p. 1–2. Archived from the original on March 8, 2025</ref>
It is also responsible for 123 playgrounds, 23 softball fields, 10 football fields, 44 soccer fields, 10 dog parks, six community centers, four senior centers, 109 skate parks, and six swimming pools.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/Find/parks_facilities.htm |title=Find Parks and Facilities |website=City of Las Vegas |access-date=January 10, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109114805/http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/find/parks_facilities.htm |archive-date=January 9, 2015 }}</ref>
==Government==
[[File:Lasvegasnewcityhall.jpg|thumb|[[Las Vegas City Hall]] in downtown Las Vegas]]
The city of Las Vegas has a [[council–manager government]].<ref name=":2" /> The mayor sits as a council member-at-large and presides over all [[city council]] meetings.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Hager |first=Justin |date=May 23, 2024 |title=Unravelling the Tapestry of Local Governments in Southern Nevada |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/news/2024/may/23/unraveling-the-tapestry-of-local-governments-in-so/ |work=[[Las Vegas Weekly]] |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |access-date=December 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527230403/https://lasvegasweekly.com/news/2024/may/23/unraveling-the-tapestry-of-local-governments-in-so/ |url-status=live }}</ref> If the mayor cannot preside over a city council meeting, then the Mayor [[pro tempore]] is the [[Chairman|presiding officer]] of the meeting until the Mayor returns to his/her seat.<ref>[https://www.leg.state.nv.us/CITYCHARTERS/CtyLasVegasCC.html § 2.030 Mayor: Duties; Mayor pro tempore; duties."] Article II, ''Las Vegas City Charter'' in Chapter 517, [[Nevada Revised Statutes|Statutes of Nevada]] 1983. [https://web.archive.org/web/20130108020104/http://www.leg.state.nv.us/CityCharters/CtyLasVegasCC.html Archived] from the original on January 8, 2013.</ref> The city manager is responsible for the administration and the day-to-day operations of all [[municipal services]] and city departments.<ref name=":3">[https://www.leg.state.nv.us/CITYCHARTERS/CtyLasVegasCC.html § 3.030 City Manager: Appointment; duties; salary]. Article III, Executive Department, ''Las Vegas City Charter'' in Chapter 517, [[Nevada Revised Statutes|Statues of Nevada]], 1983. [https://web.archive.org/web/20130108020104/http://www.leg.state.nv.us/CityCharters/CtyLasVegasCC.html Archived] from the original on January 8, 2013.</ref> The city manager maintains intergovernmental relationships with federal, state, county and other local governments.<ref name=":3" />
Out of the 2,265,461 people in Clark County as of the 2020 Census, approximately 1,030,000 people live in [[Unincorporated area|unincorporated]] [[Clark County, Nevada|Clark County]], and around 650,000 live in incorporated cities such as [[North Las Vegas, Nevada|North Las Vegas]], [[Henderson, Nevada|Henderson]] and [[Boulder City, Nevada|Boulder City]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020 |title=Quickfacts: 2020 |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/hendersoncitynevada%2Cnorthlasvegascitynevada%2Cclarkcountynevada%2Clasvegascitynevada/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241222181814/https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/hendersoncitynevada,northlasvegascitynevada,clarkcountynevada,lasvegascitynevada/ |archive-date=December 22, 2024 |access-date=December 22, 2024 |website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> Las Vegas and Clark County share a police department, the [[Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department]], which was formed after a 1973 merger of the [[Las Vegas Police Department (Nevada)|Las Vegas Police Department]] and the [[Clark County Sheriff's Department (Nevada)|Clark County Sheriff's Department]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Moss |first=Teresa |date=July 17, 2023 |title=Metro Turns 50: From Rumors of Fistfights at Merger to a World-Class Agency |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2023/jul/17/metro-at-50-from-rumors-of-fistfights-to-a-world-c/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719115347/https://lasvegassun.com/news/2023/jul/17/metro-at-50-from-rumors-of-fistfights-to-a-world-c/ |archive-date=July 19, 2023 |access-date=December 22, 2024 |work=[[Las Vegas Sun]] }}</ref> North Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, Mesquite, UNLV and CCSD have their own police departments.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nevada Sheriffs and Chiefs |url=https://dps.nv.gov/resources/Sheriffs_and_Chiefs/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726044400/https://dps.nv.gov/resources/Sheriffs_and_Chiefs/ |archive-date=July 26, 2024 |access-date=December 22, 2024 |website=Department of Public Safety: [[Nevada State Police]] |publisher=State of Nevada }}</ref>
The [[List of federally recognized tribes in the contiguous United States|federally-recognized]] [[Las Vegas Tribe of Paiute Indians of the Las Vegas Indian Colony|Las Vegas Tribe of Paiute Indians]] ([[Colorado River Numic language|Southern Paiute]]: Nuvagantucimi''')''' occupies a {{Convert|31|acre|m2|adj=on}} [[Indian reservation|reservation]] just north downtown between [[Interstate 15|Interstate-15]] and Main Street.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goldberg |first=Delen |date=July 20, 2015 |title=Las Vegas' smallest sovereign nation |url=http://lasvegassun.com/news/2015/jul/20/las-vegas-smallest-sovereign-nation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150720161407/http://lasvegassun.com/news/2015/jul/20/las-vegas-smallest-sovereign-nation/ |archive-date=July 20, 2015 |work=[[Las Vegas Sun]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.lvpaiutetribe.com/history |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241223055837/https://www.lvpaiutetribe.com/history |archive-date=December 23, 2024 |website=Las Vegas Paiute Tribe}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nuwuvi, The Southern Paiute, Caretakers of this Earth |url=https://nevadasindianterritory.com/nevada-tribes/nuwuvi/# |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526060045/https://nevadasindianterritory.com/nevada-tribes/nuwuvi/ |archive-date=May 26, 2024 |website=Nevada's Indian Territory}}</ref>
Downtown is the ___location of [[U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada#Las Vegas|Lloyd D. George Federal District Courthouse]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lloyd D. George U.S. Courthouse |url=https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/gsa-regions/region-9-pacific-rim/buildings-and-facilities/nevada/lloyd-d-george-us-courthouse |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=U.S. General Services Administration |language=en}}</ref> and the Regional Justice Center,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Visting the Regional Justice Center |url=https://www.lasvegasjusticecourt.us/new_page/coming_to_court.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620100936/https://www.lasvegasjusticecourt.us/new_page/coming_to_court.php |archive-date=June 20, 2024 |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=Las Vegas Township Justice Court |language=en}}</ref> draws numerous companies providing bail, marriage, divorce, tax, [[incorporation (business)|incorporation]] and other legal services.
===City council===
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%"
|-
! Name
! Position
! Party
! References
! Notes
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
|| [[Shelley Berkley]] || Mayor || [[Democratic Party (U.S.)|Democratic]] ||<ref name=2011MGen>{{cite web |url=https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/las-vegas-mayor-shelley-berkley-sworn-into-office-envisions-future-of-prosperity-for-the-city/ |title=Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley sworn into office; envisions future of prosperity for the city |date=December 4, 2024 |website=[[8NewsNow]] |access-date=December 9, 2024 |archive-date=December 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208104932/https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/las-vegas-mayor-shelley-berkley-sworn-into-office-envisions-future-of-prosperity-for-the-city/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ||
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
|| Brian Knudsen || 1st Ward Council member || [[Democratic Party (U.S.)|Democratic]] ||<ref>{{cite web |url=https://victoryfund.org/candidate/brian-knudsen/ |title=Brian Knudsen |work=[[LGBTQ Victory Fund]] |access-date=July 20, 2019 |archive-date=July 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720224750/https://victoryfund.org/candidate/brian-knudsen/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="council">{{cite news |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2019/jul/03/diverse-new-members-sworn-in-to-las-vegas-city-cou/ |last=Wilson |first=Miranda |date=July 3, 2019 |title=Diverse new members sworn in to Las Vegas City Council |newspaper=Las Vegas Sun |access-date=July 20, 2019 |archive-date=July 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720232038/https://lasvegassun.com/news/2019/jul/03/diverse-new-members-sworn-in-to-las-vegas-city-cou/ |url-status=live }}</ref>||[[Pro tempore#Mayor pro tem|Mayor Pro Tem]]
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|| [[Victoria Seaman]] || 2nd Ward Council member || [[Republican Party (U.S.)|Republican]] ||<ref>{{cite web |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2019/jun/11/knudsen-diaz-seaman-win-las-vegas-city-council/ |last=Willson |first=Miranda |date=June 11, 2019 |title=Knudsen, Diaz and Seaman win races, reshaping the Las Vegas City Council |newspaper=Las Vegas Sun |access-date=July 20, 2019 |archive-date=July 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720225054/https://lasvegassun.com/news/2019/jun/11/knudsen-diaz-seaman-win-las-vegas-city-council/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="council"/> ||
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
|| [[Olivia Diaz]] || 3rd Ward Council member || [[Democratic Party (U.S.)|Democratic]] ||<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/initial-election-results-show-tight-race-between-olivia-diaz-and-melissa-clary-in-las-vegas-city-council-race |last=Valley |first=Jackie |date=June 11, 2019 |title=Diaz, Knudsen and Seaman to join Las Vegas City Council after winning municipal races |work=[[Jon Ralston|The Nevada Independent]] |access-date=July 20, 2019 |archive-date=July 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720225800/https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/initial-election-results-show-tight-race-between-olivia-diaz-and-melissa-clary-in-las-vegas-city-council-race |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="council"/>||
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|| [[Francis Allen-Palenske]] || 4th Ward Council member || [[Republican Party (U.S.)|Republican]] || ||
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
|| [[Shondra Summers-Armstrong]] || 5th Ward Council member || [[Democratic Party (U.S.)|Democratic]] || <ref>{{cite web |title=Shondra Summers-Armstrong |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Shondra_Summers-Armstrong |website=Ballotpedia |access-date=December 9, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=August 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824002512/https://ballotpedia.org/Shondra_Summers-Armstrong |url-status=live }}</ref> ||
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
|| Nancy Brune || 6th Ward Council member || [[Democratic Party (U.S.)|Democratic]] || ||
|}
== Politics ==
Las Vegas City Presidential Election Results
{| class="wikitable" style="float:center; margin:1em; font-size:95%;"
|+ '''Las Vegas City Presidential Election Results'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=DRA 2020 |url=https://davesredistricting.org/maps#viewmap::e727f21b-f89c-419c-b3f0-379dbaeb000e |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=Daves Redistricting}}</ref>
!Year
![[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
![[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
![[Third party (United States)|Third Parties]]
|-
| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}} |[[2024 United States presidential election in Nevada|2024]]
| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''51.4%''' ''149,647''
| align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}} |46.8% ''136,073''
| align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}} |1.8% ''5,299''
|-
| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}} |[[2020 United States presidential election in Nevada|2020]]
| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''54.3%''' ''150,733''
| align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}} |43.7% ''121,302''
| align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}} |2.1% ''5,763''
|-
| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}} |[[2016 United States presidential election in Nevada|2016]]
| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''52.9%''' ''121,107''
| align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}} |41.2% ''94,392''
| align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}} |5.9% ''13,544''
|-
| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}} |[[2012 United States presidential election in Nevada|2012]]
| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''57.7%''' ''119,156''
| align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}} |42.3% ''87,227''
| align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}} |0% ''0''
|-
| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}} |[[2008 United States presidential election in Nevada|2008]]
| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''58.8%''' ''118,827''
| align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}} |39.2% ''79,207''
| align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}} |1.89% ''22,436''
|-
|}
{{main|Las Vegas Valley#Education}}
==Education==
===Primary and secondary schools===
{{main|Clark County School District}}
Primary and secondary [[public education]] is provided by the [[Clark County School District]].<ref>[[Nevada Revised Statutes|N.R.S]]. § 386.010 "[https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-386.html#NRS386Sec010 Creation; power to sue]." (1971). In ''Chapter 386: Local Administrative Organization''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20000817040301/https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-386.html Archived] from the original August 17, 2000.
"County school districts, the boundaries of which are conterminous with the boundaries of the counties of the State, are hereby created. The Carson City School District shall be considered as a county school district. Each county school district created by this chapter is hereby declared to be a political subdivision of the State of Nevada whose purpose is to administer the state system of public education. Each school district shall have the power to sue and may be sued. [47:32:1956]—(NRS A 1967, 37; 1969, 336; 1971, 517)"</ref>
=== Public higher education ===
Public higher education is provided by the [[Nevada System of Higher Education]] (NSHE). Public institutions serving Las Vegas include the [[University of Nevada, Las Vegas]] (UNLV), the [[College of Southern Nevada]] (CSN), [[Nevada State University]] (NSU), and the [[Desert Research Institute]] (DRI).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Institutions |url=https://nshe.nevada.edu/our-institutions/ |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=[[Nevada System of Higher Education]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
UNLV is a public, land-grant, [[Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education|R1 research]] university and is home to the [[UNLV School of Medicine|Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Garcia |first=Abel |date=April 18, 2024 |title=UNLV's School of Medicine taking steps to fill physician shortage in Nevada |url=https://www.ktnv.com/news/unlvs-school-of-medicine-taking-steps-to-fill-physician-shortage-in-nevada |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419235412/https://www.ktnv.com/news/unlvs-school-of-medicine-taking-steps-to-fill-physician-shortage-in-nevada |archive-date=April 19, 2024 |work=[[KTNV-TV|KTNV ABC 13]]}}</ref> and the [[William S. Boyd School of Law]], the only law school in Nevada.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jacob |first=Matt |date=2018-11-29 |title=How Nevada Finally Got a Law School {{!}} University of Nevada, Las Vegas |url=https://www.unlv.edu/news/article/how-nevada-finally-got-law-school |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=News Center |publisher=[[University of Nevada, Las Vegas]] |language=en}}</ref> The university's campus is urban and located about two miles east of the Las Vegas strip. The Desert Research Institute's southern campus sits next to UNLV, while its northern campus is in Reno.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About the Desert Research Institute |url=https://www.dri.edu/about/ |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=[[Desert Research Institute]] |publisher=[[Nevada System of Higher Education]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
CSN, with campuses throughout Clark County,<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.csn.edu/about-us |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=[[College of Southern Nevada]] |language=en}}</ref> is a [[community college]] with one of the largest enrollments in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2021-10-12 |title=Biggest Community Colleges |url=https://www.campusexplorer.com/student-resources/biggest-community-colleges/ |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Campus Explorer |language=en-US}}</ref> In unincorporated Clark County, CSN's Charleston campus is home to the headquarters of [[Nevada Public Radio]] ([[KNPR]]), an [[NPR]] member station.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Nevada Public Radio |url=https://knpr.org/about-nevada-public-radio |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=[[Nevada Public Radio]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Charleston Campus |url=https://www.csn.edu/about-us/campus-locations/charleston-campus |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=[[College of Southern Nevada]] |language=en}}</ref>
=== Private higher education ===
[[Touro University Nevada]] located in [[Henderson, Nevada|Henderson]] is a non-profit, private institution primarily focusing on medical education.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moody |first=Josh |title=5 Questions for the President of Touro University |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/governance/executive-leadership/2025/01/08/five-questions-president-touro-university |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Inside Higher Ed |language=en}}</ref> Other institutions include a number of [[Proprietary college|for-profit]] private schools (e.g., [[Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Las Vegas|Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts]], [[DeVry University]], among others).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Colleges in Las Vegas |url=https://www.appily.com/colleges/city/colleges-in-las-vegas |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Appily |language=en}}</ref>
==Media==
{{main|Media in Las Vegas}}
===Newspapers===
[[File:Las Vegas Review-Journal sign.jpg|thumb|Las Vegas ''Review-Journal'' sign]]
* ''[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]]'', the area's largest daily newspaper, is published every morning. It was formed in 1909 but has roots back to 1905. It is the largest newspaper in Nevada and is ranked as one of the top 25 newspapers in the United States by circulation. In 2000, the ''Review-Journal'' installed the largest newspaper printing press in the world. It cost $40 million, weighs 910 tons and consists of 16 towers.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Scheid |first1=Jenny |title=New presses are the worlds's largest |url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/0FD393A6550A8446?p=NRNB |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |access-date=August 6, 2018 }}</ref> Until his death in January 2021, the newspaper was owned by casino magnate [[Sheldon Adelson]], who purchased it for $140 million in December 2015. In 2018, the ''Review-Journal'' received the [[Sigma Delta Chi Award]] from the [[Society of Professional Journalists]] for reporting the [[2017 Las Vegas shooting|Oct 1 mass shooting]] on the Las Vegas Strip. In 2018 and 2022, ''Editor and Publisher'' magazine named the ''Review-Journal'' as one of 10 newspapers in the United States "doing it right."<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.editorandpublisher.com/feature/10-newspapers-that-do-it-right-2018-recognizing-success-in-pioneering-newsrooms-advertising-growth-and-community-engagement/ |title=10 Newspapers That Do It Right 2018: Recognizing Success in Pioneering Newsrooms, Advertising Growth and Community Engagement |journal=[[Editor & Publisher]] |first1=Nu |last1=Yang |first2=Jesus |last2=Ruiz |language=en-US |access-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816154054/http://www.editorandpublisher.com/feature/10-newspapers-that-do-it-right-2018-recognizing-success-in-pioneering-newsrooms-advertising-growth-and-community-engagement/ |archive-date=August 16, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/10-news-publishers-that-do-it-right,219623 |title=10 news publishers that do it right |date=March 1, 2022 |last=Blinder |first=Robin |work=[[Editor & Publisher]] |access-date=September 4, 2022 |archive-date=August 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827150500/https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/10-news-publishers-that-do-it-right,219623 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ''[[Las Vegas Sun]]'', based in neighboring [[Henderson, Nevada|Henderson]], is a daily newspaper. Although independently published, the print edition is distributed as a section inside the ''Review-Journal''. The ''Sun'' is owned by the Greenspun family and is part of the [[Greenspun Media Group]]. It was founded independently in 1950 and in 1989 entered into a [[Joint Operating Agreement]] with the ''Review-Journal'', which runs through 2040. The ''Sun'' has been described as "politically liberal".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rainey |first1=James |title=Sleeping with the enemy newspaper |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-mar-08-et-vegas8-story.html |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |page=E1 |access-date=March 8, 2006 |archive-date=August 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811180520/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-mar-08-et-vegas8-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2009, the ''Sun'' was awarded a [[Pulitzer Prize for Public Service]] for coverage of the high death rate of construction workers on the Las Vegas Strip amid lax enforcement of regulations.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2009-04-20 |title=2009 Pulitzer Prizes for Journalism |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/20/business/media/2009-journalism-pulitzer.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420000628/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/20/business/media/2009-journalism-pulitzer.html |archive-date=2019-04-20 |access-date=2025-03-08 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=2009 Pulitzer Prizes — Journalism |url=https://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-year/2009 |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=[[Pulitzer Prize|The Pulitzer Prizes]] |language=en}}</ref>
* ''[[Las Vegas Weekly]]'', based in neighboring Henderson, is a free [[alternative weekly]] newspaper. It covers Las Vegas arts, entertainment, culture and news. ''Las Vegas Weekly'' was founded in 1992 and is published by the Greenspun Media Group.
===Broadcast===
Las Vegas is served by 10 full power television stations and 46 radio stations. The area is also served by two NOAA Weather Radio transmitters (162.55 MHz located in Boulder City and 162.40 MHz located on [[Potosi Mountain (Nevada)|Potosi Mountain]]).
* [[Template:Las Vegas Radio|Radio stations in Las Vegas]]
* [[Template:Las Vegas TV|Television stations in Las Vegas]]
===Magazines===
* ''[[Desert Companion]]''
* ''[[Las Vegas Weekly]]''
* ''[[Luxury Las Vegas]]''
==Transportation==
{{Main|Transportation in Las Vegas}}
[[File:RTC Bus Picture - Photo by June Johns.jpg|thumb|Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) provides public bus transportation.]]
[[File:Mercedes Benz at CES 2014 (13896148599).jpg|thumb|[[Harry Reid International Airport]] provides private and public aviation services to the city.]]
[[File:KLAS7.JPG|thumb|Inside Terminal 3 at Harry Reid International Airport in Paradise]]
[[RTC Transit]] is a public transportation system providing bus service throughout Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas and other areas of the valley. Inter-city bus service to and from Las Vegas is provided by [[Greyhound Lines|Greyhound]], [[BoltBus]], [[Orange Belt Stages]], [[Tufesa]], and several smaller carriers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kfhgroup.com/aibra/Tables/tables.htm |title=Nevada Tables |website=American Intercity Bus Riders Association |access-date=July 23, 2016 |archive-date=April 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426091154/http://www.kfhgroup.com/aibra/Tables/tables.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[Amtrak]] trains have not served Las Vegas since the service via the ''[[Desert Wind]]'' at [[Las Vegas station (Nevada)|Las Vegas station]] ceased in 1997, but [[Amtrak California]] operates [[Amtrak Thruway]] dedicated service between the city and its passenger rail stations in [[Bakersfield station (Amtrak)|Bakersfield, California]], as well as [[Union Station (Los Angeles)|Los Angeles Union Station]] via [[Barstow Harvey House|Barstow]].<ref>{{cite web |title=California-Train and Thruway service |url=http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/158/578/California-Thruway-Map-2012.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813003355/http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/158/578/California-Thruway-Map-2012.pdf |archive-date=August 13, 2012 |url-status=live |website=Amtrak |access-date=June 18, 2013 }}</ref>
[[High-speed rail]] project [[Brightline West]] began construction in 2024 to connect Brightline's [[Las Vegas station (Brightline West)|Las Vegas station]] and the [[Rancho Cucamonga station]] in [[Greater Los Angeles]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Seeman |first=Matthew |date=2025-02-11 |title=Construction on Brightline West high-speed train expected to begin soon |url=https://news3lv.com/news/local/construction-on-brightline-west-high-speed-train-expected-to-begin-soon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211195108/https://news3lv.com/news/local/construction-on-brightline-west-high-speed-train-expected-to-begin-soon |archive-date=2025-02-11 |work=[[KSNV]]}}</ref>
The [[Las Vegas Monorail]] on the Strip was privately built, and upon bankruptcy taken over by the [[Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Radke |first=Brock |date=July 18, 2024 |title=At 20 years old, the Las Vegas Monorail is seeing increased usage and pondering its future |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/ae/music/2024/jul/18/at-20-years-old-the-monorail-increased-usage/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130030416/https://lasvegasweekly.com/ae/music/2024/jul/18/at-20-years-old-the-monorail-increased-usage/ |archive-date=January 30, 2025 |work=[[Las Vegas Weekly]]}}</ref>
[[Silver Rider Transit]] operates three routes within Las Vegas, offering connections to Laughlin,<ref>{{cite web |title=Laughlin Express Flyer |url=https://sntc.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/8-24-21-Laughlin-Express-Flyer.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220507043932/https://sntc.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/8-24-21-Laughlin-Express-Flyer.pdf |archive-date=May 7, 2022 |url-status=live |website=Southern Nevada Transit Coalition |access-date=April 11, 2022 }}</ref> Mesquite,<ref>{{cite web |title=Mesquite Express Brochure |url=https://www.sntc.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/11-16-20-Mesquite-Express-Brochure.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416110800/https://www.sntc.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/11-16-20-Mesquite-Express-Brochure.pdf |archive-date=April 16, 2021 |url-status=live |website=Southern Nevada Transit Coalition |access-date=April 11, 2022 }}</ref> and Sandy Valley.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sandy Valley & Goodsprings Express route |url=https://sntc.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/8-24-21-Sandy-Valley-Express-Brochure.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418055459/https://sntc.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/8-24-21-Sandy-Valley-Express-Brochure.pdf |archive-date=April 18, 2022 |url-status=live |website=Southern Nevada Transit Coalition |access-date=April 11, 2022 }}</ref>
The [[Union Pacific Railroad]] is the only [[Class I railroad]] providing rail freight service to the city. Until 1997, the Amtrak ''Desert Wind'' train service ran through Las Vegas using the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.
In March 2010, the RTC launched [[bus rapid transit]] link in Las Vegas called the ''Strip & Downtown Express'' with limited stops and frequent service that connects downtown Las Vegas, the Strip and the Las Vegas Convention Center. Shortly after the launch, the RTC dropped the ''ACE'' name.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/aug/17/lawsuit-prompts-rtc-drop-ace-name-bus-lines/ |title=Lawsuit prompts RTC to drop 'ACE' name from bus lines |last=Green |first=Steve |date=August 17, 2011 |newspaper=Las Vegas Sun |access-date=March 1, 2011 |archive-date=December 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101209172320/http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/aug/17/lawsuit-prompts-rtc-drop-ace-name-bus-lines/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2016, 77.1 percent of working Las Vegas residents (those living in the city, but not necessarily working in the city) commuted by driving alone. About 11 percent commuted via carpool, 3.9 percent used public transportation, and 1.4 percent walked. About 2.3 percent of Las Vegas commuters used all other forms of transportation, including taxi, bicycle, and motorcycle. About 4.3% of working Las Vegas residents worked at home.<ref>{{cite web |website=Census Reporter |title=Means of Transportation to Work by Age |access-date=May 6, 2018 |url=https://censusreporter.org/data/table/?table=B08101&geo_ids=16000US3240000&primary_geo_id=16000US3240000 |archive-date=May 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507003505/https://censusreporter.org/data/table/?table=B08101&geo_ids=16000US3240000&primary_geo_id=16000US3240000 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2015, 10.2 percent of city of Las Vegas households were without a car, which increased slightly to 10.5 percent in 2016. The national average was 8.7 percent in 2016. Las Vegas averaged 1.63 cars per household in 2016, compared to a national average of 1.8 per household.
[[File:Last Vegas Stip night view.jpg|thumb|Last Vegas Strip night view]]
With some exceptions, including [[Las Vegas Boulevard]], [[Nevada State Route 582|Boulder Highway (SR 582)]] and [[Nevada State Route 599|Rancho Drive (SR 599)]], the majority of surface streets in Las Vegas are laid out in a grid along [[Public Land Survey System]] [[section line]]s. Many are maintained by the [[Nevada Department of Transportation]] as [[state highway]]s. The street numbering system is divided by the following streets:
* Westcliff Drive, [[U.S. Route 95 in Nevada|US 95 Expressway]], [[Fremont Street]] and [[Charleston Boulevard]] divide the north–south block numbers from west to east.
* [[Las Vegas Boulevard]] divides the east–west streets from the [[Las Vegas Strip]] to near the Stratosphere, then Main Street becomes the dividing line from the Stratosphere to the North Las Vegas border, after which the Goldfield Street alignment divides east and west.
* On the east side of Las Vegas, block numbers between [[Charleston Boulevard]] and Washington Avenue are different along Nellis Boulevard, which is the eastern border of the city limits.
Interstates 15, 11, and US 95 lead out of the city in four directions. Two major freeways – [[Interstate 15 in Nevada|Interstate 15]] and [[Interstate 11]]/[[U.S. Route 95 (Nevada)|U.S. Route 95]] – cross in downtown Las Vegas. I-15 connects Las Vegas to Los Angeles, and heads northeast to and beyond Salt Lake City. I-11 goes northwest to the [[Las Vegas Tribe of Paiute Indians of the Las Vegas Indian Colony|Las Vegas Paiute Indian Reservation]] and southeast to [[Henderson, Nevada|Henderson]] and to the [[Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge]], where from this point I-11 will eventually continue along [[US 93 (NV)|US 93]] towards [[Phoenix, Arizona]]. US 95 (and eventually I-11) connects the city to northwestern Nevada, including [[Carson City, Nevada|Carson City]] and [[Reno, NV|Reno]]. US 93 splits from I-15 northeast of Las Vegas and goes north through the eastern part of the state, serving [[Ely, Nevada|Ely]] and [[Wells, Nevada|Wells]]. US 95 heads south from US 93 near Henderson through far eastern California. A [[Las Vegas Beltway|partial beltway]] has been built, consisting of [[Interstate 215 (Nevada)|Interstate 215]] on the south and [[Clark County 215]] on the west and north. Other radial routes include [[SR 160 (NV)|Blue Diamond Road (SR 160)]] to [[Pahrump, Nevada|Pahrump]] and [[SR 147 (NV)|Lake Mead Boulevard (SR 147)]] to [[Lake Mead]].
East–west roads, north to south<ref>Most [[arterial road]]s are shown, as indicated on the [[Nevada Department of Transportation]]'s [http://www.nevadadot.com/uploadedFiles/NDOT/About_NDOT/NDOT_Divisions/Planning/Roadway_Systems/FCM_LasVegas.pdf Roadway functional classification: Las Vegas urbanized area map] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404061946/http://www.nevadadot.com/uploadedFiles/NDOT/About_NDOT/NDOT_Divisions/Planning/Roadway_Systems/FCM_LasVegas.pdf |date=April 4, 2012 }}. Retrieved November 12, 2011.</ref>
{{colbegin|colwidth=25em}}
* Ann Road
* [[File:Nevada 573.svg|25px]] [[Craig Road (Las Vegas)|Craig Road]] ([[SR 573 (NV)|SR 573]])
* [[File:Nevada 574.svg|25px]] [[Cheyenne Avenue]] ([[SR 574 (NV)|SR 574]])
* Smoke Ranch Road
* [[File:Nevada 578.svg|25px]] [[Washington Avenue (Las Vegas)|Washington Avenue]] ([[SR 578 (NV)|SR 578]])
* [[File:Nevada 613.svg|25px]] [[Summerlin Parkway]] ([[SR 613 (NV)|SR 613]])
* [[File:Nevada 579.svg|25px]] [[Bonanza Road]] ([[SR 579 (NV)|SR 579]])
* [[File:Nevada 159.svg|25px]] [[Charleston Boulevard]] ([[SR 159 (NV)|SR 159]])<!--FAU 587-->
* [[File:Nevada 589.svg|25px]] [[Sahara Avenue]] ([[SR 589 (NV)|SR 589]])
{{colend}}
;North–south roads, west to east
{{colbegin|colwidth=25em}}
* Fort Apache Road
* [[
* Buffalo Drive
* [[File:Nevada 595.svg|25px]] [[Rainbow Boulevard (Las Vegas)|Rainbow Boulevard]] ([[SR 595 (NV)|SR 595]])
* [[File:Nevada 596.svg|25px]] [[Jones Boulevard]] ([[SR 596 (NV)|SR 596]])
* [[Decatur Boulevard]]<!--FAU 597-->
* Valley View Boulevard<!--FAU 598-->
* [[File:Nevada 599.svg|25px]] [[Nevada State Route 599|Rancho Drive]]
* Maryland Parkway<!--FAU 606-->
* [[File:Nevada 607.svg|25px]] [[Eastern Avenue (Las Vegas)|Eastern Avenue]] ([[SR 607 (NV)|SR 607]])
* Pecos Road
* [[File:Nevada 610.svg|25px]] [[Lamb Boulevard]] ([[SR 610 (NV)|SR 610]])
* [[File:Nevada 612.svg|25px]] [[Nellis Boulevard]] ([[SR 612 (NV)|SR 612]])
{{colend}}
[[Harry Reid International Airport]] handles international and domestic flights into the Las Vegas Valley. The airport also serves private aircraft and freight/cargo flights. Most general aviation traffic uses the smaller [[North Las Vegas Airport]] and [[Henderson Executive Airport]].
==
{{Main|List of people from Las Vegas}}
==See also==
* [[
* [[List of films set in Las
* [[
* [[
* [[List of
* [[List of
* [[List of
* [[List of
* [[
* [[
==Notes==
{{Notelist}}
==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==Further reading==
* Brigham, Jay. "Review: 'Reno, Las Vegas, and the Strip: A Tale of Three Cities'." ''Western Historical Quarterly'' 46.4 (2015): 529–530. {{JSTOR|westhistquar.46.4.0529}}.
* Chung, Su Kim (2012). ''Las Vegas Then and Now'', Holt: Thunder Bay Press, {{ISBN|978-1-60710-582-4}}
* Moehring, Eugene P. ''Resort City in the Sunbelt: Las Vegas, 1930–2000'' (2000).
* Moehring, Eugene, "The Urban Impact: Towns and Cities in Nevada's History," ''Nevada Historical Society Quarterly'' 57 (Fall/Winter 2014): 177–200.
* Rowley, Rex J. ''Everyday Las Vegas: Local Life in a Tourist Town'' (2013)
* Stierli, Martino (2013). ''Las Vegas in the Rearview Mirror: The City in Theory, Photography, and Film'', Los Angeles: Getty Publications, {{ISBN|978-1-60606-137-4}}
* Venturi, Robert (1972). ''[[Learning from Las Vegas]]: The Forgotten Symbolism of Architectural Form'', Cambridge: MIT Press, {{ISBN|978-0-26272-006-9}}
==External links==
{{
* {{official website}}
* [https://www.nbcnews.com/id/33537189 "The Making of Las Vegas"]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} (historical timeline)
* [http://www.
* [http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=vef&smap=1&textField1=36.175&textField2=-115.13639 National Weather Service Forecast – Las Vegas, NV]
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{{Las Vegas Valley}}
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{{Southern California megaregion}}
{{Nevada county seats}}
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[[Category:
[[Category:Cities in Nevada]]
[[Category:Cities in Clark County, Nevada]]
[[Category:
[[Category:Cities in the Mojave Desert]]
[[Category:Gambling in Nevada]]
[[Category:County seats in Nevada]]
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