North Las Vegas

by The Linguist

North Las Vegas, Nevada

North Las Vegas is a city in southern Nevada, located in the Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area. With a population of over 250,000 as of 2021, it is the fourth largest city in Nevada. North Las Vegas has a rich history and a diverse economy driven by manufacturing, warehousing, healthcare, retail, and gaming.

Population and Demographics

According to the Wikipedia page for North Las Vegas, the city has an estimated population of 273,521 as of 2022, making it the 19th largest city in the western United States. It is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation, having nearly doubled in population between 2000 and 2010.

North Las Vegas is an exceptionally diverse city. The racial makeup is 47.4% Hispanic or Latino, 30.9% White, 13.3% Black or African American, 6.2% Asian, and 4.4% two or more races. Over half (55.8%) of residents speak a language other than English at home.

History of North Las Vegas

The North Las Vegas Library page on city history notes that the area was originally inhabited by Native Americans, including the Paiute and Mojave tribes, for centuries before Europeans arrived. The first European explorers came to the area in the late 1820s.

In the early 20th century, the land that would become North Las Vegas was purchased by the Union Pacific Railroad for a major rail yard. A town supporting the rail yard, known as Vanderburg Townsite, was established in the 1920s. In 1932 it was incorporated as the city of Las Vegas, which would eventually become North Las Vegas in 1946 after Las Vegas proper was established to the south.

The city grew substantially in the post-war decades of the 1950s and 60s. Gaming was legalized in the city in 1973, helping to diversify the economy.

Economy and Major Employers

Some of the major industries and employers in North Las Vegas include:

  • Manufacturing – Several manufacturing and assembly plants are located in the city’s large industrial parks, including Flex and PPG Industries.
  • Warehousing and distribution – With its prime location and access to major highways, North Las Vegas is home to distribution centers for Amazon, Sephora, Best Buy, PETCO and more.
  • Healthcare – Major healthcare providers include North Vista Hospital and VA Medical Center.
  • Retail – Large retailers with a presence in North Las Vegas include Walmart, Target, Smith’s Food and Drug, and many others.
  • Casinos and gaming – Major casinos in North Las Vegas include Jerry’s Nugget, Siegel Slots and Suites, Fiesta Rancho, Texas Station, and Cannery Casino Hotel.
  • City government – The city of North Las Vegas government employs over 2,000 people.
  • School districts – The Clark County School District (address: 5100 W Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89146, phone: 702-799-CCSD) operates 37 schools within North Las Vegas city limits.

Attractions and Landmarks

Some of the top attractions and landmarks in North Las Vegas include:

  • North Las Vegas Library – Large public library featuring various collections, events, and services.
  • Las Vegas Ballpark – Home stadium of the Las Vegas Aviators minor league baseball team.
  • Downtown North Las Vegas – The city’s downtown district features historic buildings, local eateries, and shopping.
  • Phoenix Aircraft (Address: 3047 E. Carey Ave, North Las Vegas, NV 89030) – Offers biplane rides to see the city from the air.
  • Silver Nugget Casino – Long-running casino with a western theme and live entertainment.

Here are the GPS coordinates for some additional landmarks:

  • North Las Vegas City Hall – 36°20’51.0″N 115°09’47.0″W
  • Craig Ranch Regional Park – 36°18’45.4″N 115°11’35.4″W
  • Seastrand Park – 36°15’21.1″N 115°08’43.5″W

Public Transportation

Public transportation in North Las Vegas is provided by the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada. The RTC operates several bus routes that serve popular destinations in North Las Vegas, connecting to other parts of the metro area.

Google Map

County and Local Government

North Las Vegas is located within Clark County. The county government website can be visited here and their office is located at:

Clark County Government Center
500 S Grand Central Pkwy
Las Vegas, NV 89106

Additional local resources and websites for North Las Vegas include: