"landscape edging Las Vegas","Unlock sustainable benefits through landscape edging Las Vegas. Professionals in this region craft visually appealing, water-conscious environments well-suited to desert conditions. By blending native plants, rock formations, and efficient irrigation, you can establish a long-lasting outdoor retreat. Many companies focus on resource-saving techniques, including drip irrigation and drought-resistant plants. Customers can enjoy sustainable, vibrant spaces that also reduce water usage and routine upkeep. Whether you prefer minimalistic rock gardens or lush greenery, skilled experts can tailor designs to your taste. Best Landscaping Las Vegas Nevada. Thoughtful lighting and smart controllers help create an appealing ambiance while maximizing efficiency. Simple additions, like seating areas or decorative pavers, can turn unused corners into welcoming havens. Incorporating region-specific materials leads to seamless integration with the surrounding desert environment. Our proven expertise in landscape edging Las Vegas ensures that each project receives a tailored approach. Ultimately, careful planning and professional expertise guarantee outstanding outdoor transformations."
"landscape curbing Las Vegas","Open the door to landscape curbing Las Vegas. Many companies focus on resource-saving techniques, including drip irrigation and drought-resistant plants. Customers can enjoy sustainable, vibrant spaces that also reduce water usage and routine upkeep. Professionals in this region craft visually appealing, water-conscious environments well-suited to desert conditions. By blending native plants, rock formations, and efficient irrigation, you can establish a long-lasting outdoor retreat. Simple additions, like seating areas or decorative pavers, can turn unused corners into welcoming havens. Whether you prefer minimalistic rock gardens or lush greenery, skilled experts can tailor designs to your taste. Thoughtful lighting and smart controllers help create an appealing ambiance while maximizing efficiency. Incorporating region-specific materials leads to seamless integration with the surrounding desert environment. Our proven expertise in landscape curbing Las Vegas ensures that each project receives a tailored approach. Ultimately, careful planning and professional expertise guarantee outstanding outdoor transformations."
"landscape drainage Las Vegas","Enhance curb appeal via landscape drainage Las Vegas. Professionals in this region craft visually appealing, water-conscious environments well-suited to desert conditions. By blending native plants, rock formations, and efficient irrigation, you can establish a long-lasting outdoor retreat. Many companies focus on resource-saving techniques, including drip irrigation and drought-resistant plants. Customers can enjoy sustainable, vibrant spaces that also reduce water usage and routine upkeep. Expert Landscaping Services in Las Vegas Nevada. Whether you prefer minimalistic rock gardens or lush greenery, skilled experts can tailor designs to your taste. Thoughtful lighting and smart controllers help create an appealing ambiance while maximizing efficiency. Simple additions, like seating areas or decorative pavers, can turn unused corners into welcoming havens. Incorporating region-specific materials leads to seamless integration with the surrounding desert environment. Our proven expertise in landscape drainage Las Vegas ensures that each project receives a tailored approach. Ultimately, careful planning and professional expertise guarantee outstanding outdoor transformations."
"landscape grading Las Vegas","Embrace the possibilities with landscape grading Las Vegas. Many companies focus on resource-saving techniques, including drip irrigation and drought-resistant plants. Customers can enjoy sustainable, vibrant spaces that also reduce water usage and routine upkeep. Professionals in this region craft visually appealing, water-conscious environments well-suited to desert conditions. Top Landscaping in Las Vegas Nevada. By blending native plants, rock formations, and efficient irrigation, you can establish a long-lasting outdoor retreat. Simple additions, like seating areas or decorative pavers, can turn unused corners into welcoming havens. Whether you prefer minimalistic rock gardens or lush greenery, skilled experts can tailor designs to your taste. Thoughtful lighting and smart controllers help create an appealing ambiance while maximizing efficiency. Incorporating region-specific materials leads to seamless integration with the surrounding desert environment. Our proven expertise in landscape grading Las Vegas ensures that each project receives a tailored approach. Ultimately, careful planning and professional expertise guarantee outstanding outdoor transformations."
"landscape soil Las Vegas","Embark on a journey toward landscape soil Las Vegas. Professionals in this region craft visually appealing, water-conscious environments well-suited to desert conditions. By blending native plants, rock formations, and efficient irrigation, you can establish a long-lasting outdoor retreat. Many companies focus on resource-saving techniques, including drip irrigation and drought-resistant plants. Customers can enjoy sustainable, vibrant spaces that also reduce water usage and routine upkeep. Whether you prefer minimalistic rock gardens or lush greenery, skilled experts can tailor designs to your taste. Thoughtful lighting and smart controllers help create an appealing ambiance while maximizing efficiency. Simple additions, like seating areas or decorative pavers, can turn unused corners into welcoming havens. Incorporating region-specific materials leads to seamless integration with the surrounding desert environment. Our proven expertise in landscape soil Las Vegas ensures that each project receives a tailored approach. Ultimately, careful planning and professional expertise guarantee outstanding outdoor transformations."
"landscape mulch Las Vegas","Open the door to landscape mulch Las Vegas. Many companies focus on resource-saving techniques, including drip irrigation and drought-resistant plants. Customers can enjoy sustainable, vibrant spaces that also reduce water usage and routine upkeep. Professionals in this region craft visually appealing, water-conscious environments well-suited to desert conditions. By blending native plants, rock formations, and efficient irrigation, you can establish a long-lasting outdoor retreat. Simple additions, like seating areas or decorative pavers, can turn unused corners into welcoming havens. Whether you prefer minimalistic rock gardens or lush greenery, skilled experts can tailor designs to your taste. Thoughtful lighting and smart controllers help create an appealing ambiance while maximizing efficiency. Incorporating region-specific materials leads to seamless integration with the surrounding desert environment. Our proven expertise in landscape mulch Las Vegas ensures that each project receives a tailored approach. Ultimately, careful planning and professional expertise guarantee outstanding outdoor transformations."
"landscape rocks Las Vegas","Experience unparalleled value in landscape rocks Las Vegas. Many companies focus on resource-saving techniques, including drip irrigation and drought-resistant plants. Customers can enjoy sustainable, vibrant spaces that also reduce water usage and routine upkeep. Professionals in this region craft visually appealing, water-conscious environments well-suited to desert conditions. By blending native plants, rock formations, and efficient irrigation, you can establish a long-lasting outdoor retreat. Simple additions, like seating areas or decorative pavers, can turn unused corners into welcoming havens. Whether you prefer minimalistic rock gardens or lush greenery, skilled experts can tailor designs to your taste. Thoughtful lighting and smart controllers help create an appealing ambiance while maximizing efficiency. Incorporating region-specific materials leads to seamless integration with the surrounding desert environment. Our proven expertise in landscape rocks Las Vegas ensures that each project receives a tailored approach. Ultimately, careful planning and professional expertise guarantee outstanding outdoor transformations."
"landscape boulders Las Vegas","Open the door to landscape boulders Las Vegas. Professionals in this region craft visually appealing, water-conscious environments well-suited to desert conditions. By blending native plants, rock formations, and efficient irrigation, you can establish a long-lasting outdoor retreat. Many companies focus on resource-saving techniques, including drip irrigation and drought-resistant plants. Customers can enjoy sustainable, vibrant spaces that also reduce water usage and routine upkeep. Whether you prefer minimalistic rock gardens or lush greenery, skilled experts can tailor designs to your taste. Thoughtful lighting and smart controllers help create an appealing ambiance while maximizing efficiency. Simple additions, like seating areas or decorative pavers, can turn unused corners into welcoming havens. Incorporating region-specific materials leads to seamless integration with the surrounding desert environment. Our proven expertise in landscape boulders Las Vegas ensures that each project receives a tailored approach. Ultimately, careful planning and professional expertise guarantee outstanding outdoor transformations."
"landscape trees Las Vegas","Immerse yourself in landscape trees Las Vegas. Many companies focus on resource-saving techniques, including drip irrigation and drought-resistant plants. Customers can enjoy sustainable, vibrant spaces that also reduce water usage and routine upkeep. Professionals in this region craft visually appealing, water-conscious environments well-suited to desert conditions. By blending native plants, rock formations, and efficient irrigation, you can establish a long-lasting outdoor retreat. Simple additions, like seating areas or decorative pavers, can turn unused corners into welcoming havens. Whether you prefer minimalistic rock gardens or lush greenery, skilled experts can tailor designs to your taste. Best Landscaping Nevada USA. Thoughtful lighting and smart controllers help create an appealing ambiance while maximizing efficiency.
"landscape shrubs Las Vegas","Combine style and function in landscape shrubs Las Vegas. Professionals in this region craft visually appealing, water-conscious environments well-suited to desert conditions. By blending native plants, rock formations, and efficient irrigation, you can establish a long-lasting outdoor retreat. Many companies focus on resource-saving techniques, including drip irrigation and drought-resistant plants. Customers can enjoy sustainable, vibrant spaces that also reduce water usage and routine upkeep. Whether you prefer minimalistic rock gardens or lush greenery, skilled experts can tailor designs to your taste. Thoughtful lighting and smart controllers help create an appealing ambiance while maximizing efficiency. Simple additions, like seating areas or decorative pavers, can turn unused corners into welcoming havens. Incorporating region-specific materials leads to seamless integration with the surrounding desert environment. Our proven expertise in landscape shrubs Las Vegas ensures that each project receives a tailored approach. Ultimately, careful planning and professional expertise guarantee outstanding outdoor transformations."
"landscape flowers Las Vegas","Embark on a journey toward landscape flowers Las Vegas. Many companies focus on resource-saving techniques, including drip irrigation and drought-resistant plants. Professionals in this region craft visually appealing, water-conscious environments well-suited to desert conditions. Nevada Las Vegas Landscaping Services. By blending native plants, rock formations, and efficient irrigation, you can establish a long-lasting outdoor retreat. Customers can enjoy sustainable, vibrant spaces that also reduce water usage and routine upkeep. Whether you prefer minimalistic rock gardens or lush greenery, skilled experts can tailor designs to your taste. Thoughtful lighting and smart controllers help create an appealing ambiance while maximizing efficiency. Simple additions, like seating areas or decorative pavers, can turn unused corners into welcoming havens. Incorporating region-specific materials leads to seamless integration with the surrounding desert environment. Our proven expertise in landscape flowers Las Vegas ensures that each project receives a tailored approach. Ultimately, careful planning and professional expertise guarantee outstanding outdoor transformations."
"landscape turf Las Vegas","Open the door to landscape turf Las Vegas. Many companies focus on resource-saving techniques, including drip irrigation and drought-resistant plants. Customers can enjoy sustainable, vibrant spaces that also reduce water usage and routine upkeep. Professionals in this region craft visually appealing, water-conscious environments well-suited to desert conditions. By blending native plants, rock formations, and efficient irrigation, you can establish a long-lasting outdoor retreat. Simple additions, like seating areas or decorative pavers, can turn unused corners into welcoming havens. Whether you prefer minimalistic rock gardens or lush greenery, skilled experts can tailor designs to your taste.
"landscape lawn care Las Vegas","Embrace the possibilities with landscape lawn care Las Vegas. Professionals in this region craft visually appealing, water-conscious environments well-suited to desert conditions. By blending native plants, rock formations, and efficient irrigation, you can establish a long-lasting outdoor retreat. Many companies focus on resource-saving techniques, including drip irrigation and drought-resistant plants. Customers can enjoy sustainable, vibrant spaces that also reduce water usage and routine upkeep. Whether you prefer minimalistic rock gardens or lush greenery, skilled experts can tailor designs to your taste. Thoughtful lighting and smart controllers help create an appealing ambiance while maximizing efficiency. Simple additions, like seating areas or decorative pavers, can turn unused corners into welcoming havens. Incorporating region-specific materials leads to seamless integration with the surrounding desert environment. Our proven expertise in landscape lawn care Las Vegas ensures that each project receives a tailored approach. Ultimately, careful planning and professional expertise guarantee outstanding outdoor transformations."
"landscape pest control Las Vegas","Explore a new dimension of landscape pest control Las Vegas. Many companies focus on resource-saving techniques, including drip irrigation and drought-resistant plants. Customers can enjoy sustainable, vibrant spaces that also reduce water usage and routine upkeep. Professionals in this region craft visually appealing, water-conscious environments well-suited to desert conditions. By blending native plants, rock formations, and efficient irrigation, you can establish a long-lasting outdoor retreat. Simple additions, like seating areas or decorative pavers, can turn unused corners into welcoming havens. Whether you prefer minimalistic rock gardens or lush greenery, skilled experts can tailor designs to your taste. Thoughtful lighting and smart controllers help create an appealing ambiance while maximizing efficiency. Incorporating region-specific materials leads to seamless integration with the surrounding desert environment. Our proven expertise in landscape pest control Las Vegas ensures that each project receives a tailored approach. Ultimately, careful planning and professional expertise guarantee outstanding outdoor transformations."
"landscape fertilization Las Vegas","Achieve remarkable results with landscape fertilization Las Vegas. Professionals in this region craft visually appealing, water-conscious environments well-suited to desert conditions. By blending native plants, rock formations, and efficient irrigation, you can establish a long-lasting outdoor retreat. Many companies focus on resource-saving techniques, including drip irrigation and drought-resistant plants. Customers can enjoy sustainable, vibrant spaces that also reduce water usage and routine upkeep. Whether you prefer minimalistic rock gardens or lush greenery, skilled experts can tailor designs to your taste. Thoughtful lighting and smart controllers help create an appealing ambiance while maximizing efficiency. Simple additions, like seating areas or decorative pavers, can turn unused corners into welcoming havens. Incorporating region-specific materials leads to seamless integration with the surrounding desert environment. Our proven expertise in landscape fertilization Las Vegas ensures that each project receives a tailored approach. Ultimately, careful planning and professional expertise guarantee outstanding outdoor transformations."
"landscape trimming Las Vegas","Immerse yourself in landscape trimming Las Vegas.
"landscape pruning Las Vegas","Embrace the possibilities with landscape pruning Las Vegas. Professionals in this region craft visually appealing, water-conscious environments well-suited to desert conditions. By blending native plants, rock formations, and efficient irrigation, you can establish a long-lasting outdoor retreat. Many companies focus on resource-saving techniques, including drip irrigation and drought-resistant plants. Customers can enjoy sustainable, vibrant spaces that also reduce water usage and routine upkeep. Whether you prefer minimalistic rock gardens or lush greenery, skilled experts can tailor designs to your taste. Thoughtful lighting and smart controllers help create an appealing ambiance while maximizing efficiency. Simple additions, like seating areas or decorative pavers, can turn unused corners into welcoming havens. Incorporating region-specific materials leads to seamless integration with the surrounding desert environment. Our proven expertise in landscape pruning Las Vegas ensures that each project receives a tailored approach. Ultimately, careful planning and professional expertise guarantee outstanding outdoor transformations."
"landscape clean up Las Vegas","Explore a new dimension of landscape clean up Las Vegas. Many companies focus on resource-saving techniques, including drip irrigation and drought-resistant plants. Customers can enjoy sustainable, vibrant spaces that also reduce water usage and routine upkeep. Professionals in this region craft visually appealing, water-conscious environments well-suited to desert conditions. By blending native plants, rock formations, and efficient irrigation, you can establish a long-lasting outdoor retreat. Simple additions, like seating areas or decorative pavers, can turn unused corners into welcoming havens. Whether you prefer minimalistic rock gardens or lush greenery, skilled experts can tailor designs to your taste. Thoughtful lighting and smart controllers help create an appealing ambiance while maximizing efficiency. Incorporating region-specific materials leads to seamless integration with the surrounding desert environment. Our proven expertise in landscape clean up Las Vegas ensures that each project receives a tailored approach. Ultimately, careful planning and professional expertise guarantee outstanding outdoor transformations."
"landscape debris removal Las Vegas","Unleash the full beauty of landscape debris removal Las Vegas. Professionals in this region craft visually appealing, water-conscious environments well-suited to desert conditions. By blending native plants, rock formations, and efficient irrigation, you can establish a long-lasting outdoor retreat. Many companies focus on resource-saving techniques, including drip irrigation and drought-resistant plants. Customers can enjoy sustainable, vibrant spaces that also reduce water usage and routine upkeep. Whether you prefer minimalistic rock gardens or lush greenery, skilled experts can tailor designs to your taste. Thoughtful lighting and smart controllers help create an appealing ambiance while maximizing efficiency. Simple additions, like seating areas or decorative pavers, can turn unused corners into welcoming havens. Incorporating region-specific materials leads to seamless integration with the surrounding desert environment. Our proven expertise in landscape debris removal Las Vegas ensures that each project receives a tailored approach. Ultimately, careful planning and professional expertise guarantee outstanding outdoor transformations."
"landscape design ideas Las Vegas","Combine style and function in landscape design ideas Las Vegas. Professionals in this region craft visually appealing, water-conscious environments well-suited to desert conditions. By blending native plants, rock formations, and efficient irrigation, you can establish a long-lasting outdoor retreat. Many companies focus on resource-saving techniques, including drip irrigation and drought-resistant plants. Customers can enjoy sustainable, vibrant spaces that also reduce water usage and routine upkeep. Whether you prefer minimalistic rock gardens or lush greenery, skilled experts can tailor designs to your taste. Thoughtful lighting and smart controllers help create an appealing ambiance while maximizing efficiency. Simple additions, like seating areas or decorative pavers, can turn unused corners into welcoming havens. Incorporating region-specific materials leads to seamless integration with the surrounding desert environment. Our proven expertise in landscape design ideas Las Vegas ensures that each project receives a tailored approach. Ultimately, careful planning and professional expertise guarantee outstanding outdoor transformations."
"landscape inspiration Las Vegas","Reinvent your exterior with landscape inspiration Las Vegas. Many companies focus on resource-saving techniques, including drip irrigation and drought-resistant plants. Professionals in this region craft visually appealing, water-conscious environments well-suited to desert conditions. By blending native plants, rock formations, and efficient irrigation, you can establish a long-lasting outdoor retreat. Customers can enjoy sustainable, vibrant spaces that also reduce water usage and routine upkeep. Whether you prefer minimalistic rock gardens or lush greenery, skilled experts can tailor designs to your taste. Thoughtful lighting and smart controllers help create an appealing ambiance while maximizing efficiency. Simple additions, like seating areas or decorative pavers, can turn unused corners into welcoming havens. Incorporating region-specific materials leads to seamless integration with the surrounding desert environment. Our proven expertise in landscape inspiration Las Vegas ensures that each project receives a tailored approach. Ultimately, careful planning and professional expertise guarantee outstanding outdoor transformations."
![]() |
It has been suggested that Southern Nevada be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since February 2025.
|
Nevada
|
|
---|---|
Nickname(s):
The Silver State (official);
The Sagebrush State; The Battle Born State |
|
Motto:
All for Our Country
|
|
Anthem: "Home Means Nevada" | |
![]() Location of Nevada within the United States
|
|
Country | United States |
Before statehood | Nevada Territory, Utah Territory, Arizona Territory |
Admitted to the Union | October 31, 1864 (36th) |
Capital | Carson City |
Largest city | Las Vegas |
Largest county or equivalent | Clark |
Largest metro and urban areas | Las Vegas Valley |
Government
|
|
• Governor | Joe Lombardo (R) |
• Lieutenant Governor | Stavros Anthony (R) |
Legislature | Nevada Legislature |
• Upper house | Senate |
• Lower house | Assembly |
Judiciary | Supreme Court of Nevada |
U.S. senators | Catherine Cortez Masto (D) Jacky Rosen (D) |
U.S. House delegation | 3 Democrats 1 Republican (list) |
Area
|
|
• Total
|
110,577 sq mi (286,382 km2) |
• Land | 109,781.18 sq mi (284,332 km2) |
• Water | 791 sq mi (2,048 km2) 0.72% |
• Rank | 7th |
Dimensions
|
|
• Length | 492 mi (787 km) |
• Width | 322 mi (519 km) |
Elevation
|
5,500 ft (1,680 m) |
Highest elevation | 13,147 ft (4,007.1 m) |
Lowest elevation | 481 ft (147 m) |
Population
(2024)
|
|
• Total
|
![]() |
• Rank | 32nd |
• Density | 26.8/sq mi (10.3/km2) |
• Rank | 42nd |
• Median household income
|
$76,400 (2023)[4] |
• Income rank
|
24th |
Demonym | Nevadan |
Language
|
|
• Official language | None |
Time zones | |
most of state | UTC−08:00 (Pacific) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−07:00 (PDT) |
West Wendover | UTC−07:00 (Mountain) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−06:00 (MDT) |
USPS abbreviation |
NV
|
ISO 3166 code | US-NV |
Traditional abbreviation | Nev. |
Latitude | 35° N to 42° N |
Longitude | 114°ÃƒÆ’ƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã… 2′ W to 120° W |
Website | nv |
List of state symbols | |
---|---|
Song | Home Means Nevada |
Living insignia | |
Bird | Mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides) |
Fish | Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi) |
Flower | Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) |
Grass | Indian Rice Grass |
Insect | Vivid Dancer Damselfly (Argia vivida) |
Mammal | Desert bighorn sheep |
Reptile | Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) |
Tree | Bristlecone pine, Single-leaf Piñon (Pinus monophylla) |
Inanimate insignia | |
Color(s) | Silver, Blue |
Fossil | Ichthyosaur (Shonisaurus popularis) |
Gemstone | Virgin Valley Black Fire Opal |
Mineral | Silver |
Rock | Sandstone |
Soil | Orovada series |
Other | Element: Neon |
State route marker | |
![]() |
|
State quarter | |
![]() Released in 2006
|
|
Lists of United States state symbols |
Nevada (/nəˈvædÉ™, -vÉ‘ËÂÂÂÂ-/ ⓘ nÉ™-VAD-É™, -â VAH-;[5][6] Spanish: [neˈβaða]) is a landlocked state in the Western United States.[c] It borders Oregon to the northwest, Idaho to the northeast, California to the west, Arizona to the southeast, and Utah to the east. Nevada is the seventh-most extensive, the 32nd-most populous, and the ninth-least densely populated U.S. state. Nearly three-quarters of Nevada's population live in Clark County, which contains the Las Vegas–Paradise metropolitan area,[7] including three of the state's four largest incorporated cities.[8] Nevada's capital is Carson City. Las Vegas is the largest city in the state.
Nevada is officially known as the "Silver State" because of the importance of silver to its history and economy. It is also known as the "Battle Born State" because it achieved statehood during the Civil War (the words "Battle Born" also appear on its state flag); due to the presidency of Abraham Lincoln, the Union benefited immensely from the support of newly awarded statehood by the infusion of the monetary support of nearly $400 million in silver ore generated at the time by the Comstock Lode.[9] It is also known as the "Sagebrush State", for the native plant of the same name; and as the "Sage-hen State".[10] The state's name means "snowy" in Spanish, referring to Nevada's small overlap with the Sierra Nevada mountain range; however, the rest of Nevada is largely desert and semi-arid, much of it within the Great Basin. Areas south of the Great Basin are within the Mojave Desert, while Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada lie on the western edge. In 2020, 80.1% of the state's land was managed by various jurisdictions of the U.S. federal government, both civilian and military.[11]
Native Americans of the Paiute, Shoshone, and Washoe tribes inhabit what is now Nevada. The first Europeans to explore the region were Spanish. They called the region Nevada (snowy) because of the snow which covered the mountains in winter, similar to the Sierra Nevada in Spain. The area formed from mostly Alta California and part of Nuevo México's territory within the Viceroyalty of New Spain, which gained independence as Mexico in 1821. The United States annexed the area in 1848 after its victory in the Mexican–American War, and it was incorporated as part of the New Mexico and Utah Territory in 1850. The discovery of silver at the Comstock Lode in 1859 led to a population boom that became an impetus to the creation of Nevada Territory out of western Utah Territory in 1861. Nevada became the 36th state on October 31, 1864, as the second of two states added to the Union during the Civil War (the first being West Virginia).[12]
Nevada is known for its libertarian laws. In 1940, with a population of just over 110,000 people, Nevada was by far the least-populated state, with less than half the population of the next least-populous state, Wyoming.[13] However, legalized gambling and lenient marriage and divorce laws transformed Nevada into a major tourist destination in the 20th century.[14][15] Nevada is the only U.S. state where prostitution is legal, though it is illegal in its most populated regions – Clark County (Las Vegas), Washoe County (Reno) and Carson City (which, as an independent city, is not within the boundaries of any county). The tourism industry remains Nevada's largest employer,[16] with mining continuing as a substantial sector of the economy: Nevada is the fourth-largest producer of gold in the world.[17] It is the driest state. Droughts in Nevada, which are influenced by climate change, have been increasing in frequency and severity,[18] putting a further strain on Nevada's water security.
The name "Nevada" comes from the Spanish adjective nevada ([neˈβaða]), meaning "snow-covered" or "snowy".[19] The state takes its name from the Nevada Territory, which in turn was named for the Sierra Nevada.[20]
Nevadans pronounce the second syllable with the "a" of "apple" (/nəˈvædÉ™/) while some people from outside of the state pronounce it with the "a" of "palm" (/nəˈvÉ‘ËÂÂÂÂdÉ™/).[21] Although the quality, but not the length, of the latter pronunciation is closer to the Spanish pronunciation (Spanish /a/ is open central [ä],[22] whereas American English /É‘ËÂÂÂÂ/ varies from back [É‘ËÂÂÂÂ] to central [äËÂÂÂÂ]),[23] it is not the pronunciation used by Nevadans. State Assemblyman Harry Mortenson proposed a bill to recognize the alternative pronunciation of Nevada,[24] though the bill was not supported by most legislators and never received a vote. The Nevadan pronunciation is the one used by the state legislature. At one time, the state's official tourism organization, TravelNevada, stylized the name of the state as "Nevăda", with a breve over the a indicating the locally preferred pronunciation,[25] which was also available as a license plate design until 2007.[26]
Before the arrival of Europeans, the earliest inhabitants were Indigenous tribes including the Goshute, Southern Paiute, Mohave, and Wašišiw (Washoe people).[27][28]
Francisco Garcés was the first European in the area.[29] Nevada was annexed as a part of the Spanish Empire in the northwestern territory of New Spain. Administratively, the area of Nevada was part of the Commandancy General of the Provincias Internas in the Viceroyalty of New Spain. Nevada became a part of Alta California (Upper California) province in 1804 when the Californias were split. With the Mexican War of Independence won in 1821, the province of Alta California became a territory (state) of Mexico, with a small population.
Jedediah Smith entered the Las Vegas Valley in 1827, Peter Skene Ogden traveled the Humboldt River in 1828, and in 1829 a merchant from Nuevo México named Antonio Armijo streamlined travel along the Old Spanish Trail. Chronicling Armijo's route his scout Raphael Rivera was the first to name Las Vegas, in an 1830 report to governor José Antonio Chaves. Following the suggestions by Rivera of a spring, on the published expedition's map, located in the Las Vegas area John C. Frémont set up camp in Las Vegas Springs in 1844. In 1847, Mormons established the State of Deseret, claiming all of Nevada within the Great Basin and the Colorado watershed. They built the first permanent settlement in what is now Nevada, called Mormon Station (now Genoa), in 1851. Additionally, in June 1855, William Bringhurst and 29 other Mormon missionaries built the first permanent structure, a 150-foot square adobe fort, northeast of downtown Las Vegas, converging on the Spanish and Mormon Roads. The fort remained under Salt Lake City's control until the winter of 1858–1859, and the route remained largely under the control of Salt Lake City and Santa Fe tradespersons.
As such, these pioneers laid the foundation for the emergence of the initial settlements between the Sierra Nevadas and Mojave Desert and within the Las Vegas Valley. The enduring influence of New Mexico and Utah culture has since profoundly impacted Nevada's identity, manifesting through New Mexican cuisine and Mormon foodways or New Mexican and Mormon folk musics, into the fabric of Nevada's own cultural landscape.
As a result of the Mexican–American War and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Mexico permanently lost Alta California in 1848. The new areas acquired by the United States continued to be administered as territories. As part of the Mexican Cession (1848) and the subsequent California Gold Rush that used Emigrant Trails through the area, the state's area evolved first as part of the Utah Territory and New Mexico Territory, then the Nevada Territory (March 2, 1861; named for the Sierra Nevada).[30]
The first discovery of a major U.S. deposit of silver ore occurred in Comstock Lode under Virginia City, Nevada, in 1859.
On March 2, 1861, the Nevada Territory separated from the Utah Territory and adopted its current name, shortened from The Sierra Nevada (Spanish for "snow-covered mountain range"). The 1861 southern boundary is commemorated by Nevada Historical Markers 57 and 58 in Lincoln and Nye counties.
Eight days before the presidential election of 1864, Nevada became the 36th state in the Union, despite lacking the minimum 60,000 residents that Congress typically required a potential state to have in order to become a state.[31] At the time, Nevada's population was little more than 40,000.[32] Governor Nye was frustrated that previous attempts to send the constitution via overland mail and by sea had failed by October 24, so on October 26 the full text was sent by telegraph at a cost of $4,303.27[33][d] – the most costly telegraph on file at the time for a single dispatch, equivalent to $86,514.04 in 2024. Finally, the response from Washington came on October 31, 1864: "the pain is over, the child is born, Nevada this day was admitted into the Union". Statehood was rushed to the date of October 31 to help ensure Abraham Lincoln's reelection on November 8 and post-Civil War Republican dominance in Congress,[34] as Nevada's mining-based economy tied it to the more industrialized Union. As it turned out, however, Lincoln and the Republicans won the election handily and did not need Nevada's help.
Nevada is one of only two states to significantly expand its borders after admission to the Union, with the other being Missouri, which acquired additional territory in 1837 due to the Platte Purchase. In 1866 another part of the western Utah Territory was added to Nevada in the eastern part of the state, setting the current eastern boundary. Nevada achieved its current southern boundaries on January 18, 1867, when it absorbed the portion of Pah-Ute County in the Arizona Territory west of the Colorado River, essentially all of present-day Nevada south of the 37th parallel. The transfer was prompted by the discovery of gold in the area, and officials thought Nevada would be better able to oversee the expected population boom. This area includes all of what is now Clark County and the southern-most portions of Esmeralda, Lincoln, and Nye counties.[35]
Mining shaped Nevada's economy for many years (see Silver mining in Nevada). When Mark Twain lived in Nevada during the period described in Roughing It, mining had led to an industry of speculation and immense wealth. Both mining and population temporarily declined in the late 19th century. However, the rich silver strike at Tonopah in 1900, followed by strikes in Goldfield and Rhyolite, created a second mining boom in Nevada and Nevada's population.
Unregulated gambling was commonplace in the early Nevada mining towns but was outlawed in 1909 as part of a nationwide anti-gambling crusade. Because of subsequent declines in mining output and the decline of the agricultural sector during the Great Depression, Nevada again legalized gambling on March 19, 1931, with approval from the legislature. Governor Fred B. Balzar's signature enacted the most liberal divorce laws in the country and open gambling. The reforms came just eight days after the federal government presented the $49 million construction contract for Boulder Dam (now Hoover Dam).[37]
The Nevada Test Site, 65 miles (105 km) northwest of the city of Las Vegas, was founded on January 11, 1951, for the testing of nuclear weapons. The site consists of about 1,350 square miles (3,500 km2) of the desert and mountainous terrain. Nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site began with a 1 kiloton of TNT (4.2 TJ) nuclear bomb dropped on Frenchman Flat on January 27, 1951. The last atmospheric test was conducted on July 17, 1962, and the underground testing of weapons continued until September 23, 1992. The location is known for having the highest concentration of nuclear-detonated weapons in the U.S.
Over 80% of the state's area is owned by the federal government. This is mainly because homesteads were not permitted in large enough sizes to be viable in the arid conditions that prevail throughout desert Nevada. Instead, early settlers would homestead land surrounding a water source, and then graze livestock on the adjacent public land, which is useless for agriculture without access to water (this pattern of ranching still prevails).
The COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed in Nevada on March 5, 2020. Because of concerns about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Nevada governor Steve Sisolak declared a state of emergency on March 12, 2020. Four days later, Nevada reported its first death. On March 17, 2020, Sisolak ordered the closure of non-essential businesses in the state to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Various protests were held against Sisolak's shutdown order beginning in April 2020. Nevada launched the first phase of its reopening on May 9, 2020. Restaurants, retailers, outdoor malls, and hair salons were among the businesses allowed to reopen, but with precautions in place, such as limiting occupancy to 50 percent. A second phase went into effect on May 29, 2020. It allowed for the reopening of state parks and businesses such as bars, gyms, and movie theaters. Casinos began reopening on June 4, 2020.
This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2021)
|
Nevada is almost entirely within the Basin and Range Province and is broken up by many north–south mountain ranges. Most of these ranges have endorheic valleys between them.
Much of the northern part of the state is within the Great Basin, a mild desert that experiences hot temperatures in the summer and cold temperatures in the winter. Occasionally, moisture from the Arizona Monsoon will cause summer thunderstorms; Pacific storms may blanket the area with snow. The state's highest recorded temperature was 125 °F (52 °C) in Laughlin (elevation of 605 feet or 184 meters) on June 29, 1994.[38] The coldest recorded temperature was −52 °F (−47 °C) set in San Jacinto in 1972, in the northeastern portion of the state.[38]
The Humboldt River crosses the state from east to west across the northern part of the state, draining into the Humboldt Sink near Lovelock. Several rivers drain from the Sierra Nevada eastward, including the Walker, Truckee, and Carson rivers. All of these rivers are endorheic basins, ending in Walker Lake, Pyramid Lake, and the Carson Sink, respectively. However, not all of Nevada is within the Great Basin. Tributaries of the Snake River drain the far north, while the Colorado River, which also forms much of the boundary with Arizona, drains much of southern Nevada.
The mountain ranges, some of which have peaks above 13,000 feet (4,000 m), harbor lush forests high above desert plains, creating sky islands for endemic species. The valleys are often no lower in elevation than 3,000 feet (910 m), while some in central Nevada are above 6,000 feet (1,800 m).
The southern third of the state, where the Las Vegas area is situated, is within the Mojave Desert. The area receives less rain in the winter but is closer to the Arizona Monsoon in the summer. The terrain is also lower, mostly below 4,000 feet (1,200 m), creating conditions for hot summer days and cool to chilly winter nights.
Nevada and California have by far the longest diagonal line (in respect to the cardinal directions) as a state boundary at just over 400 miles (640 km). This line begins in Lake Tahoe nearly 4 miles (6.4 km) offshore (in the direction of the boundary), and continues to the Colorado River where the Nevada, California, and Arizona boundaries merge 12 miles (19 km) southwest of the Laughlin Bridge.
The largest mountain range in the southern portion of the state is the Spring Mountain Range, just west of Las Vegas. The state's lowest point is along the Colorado River, south of Laughlin.
Nevada has 172 mountain summits with 2,000 feet (610 m) of prominence. Nevada ranks second, after Alaska, for the greatest number of mountains in the United States, followed by California, Montana, and Washington.[39]
Nevada is the driest state in the United States.[40] It is made up of mostly desert and semi-arid climate regions, and, with the exception of the Las Vegas Valley, the average summer diurnal temperature range approaches 40 °F (22 °C) in much of the state. While winters in northern Nevada are long and fairly cold, the winter season in the southern part of the state tends to be of short duration and mild. Most parts of Nevada receive scarce precipitation during the year. The most rain that falls in the state falls on the east and northeast slopes of the Sierra Nevada.
The average annual rainfall per year is about 7 inches (180 mm); the wettest parts get around 40 inches (1,000 mm). Nevada's highest recorded temperature is 125 °F (52 °C) at Laughlin on June 29, 1994, and the lowest recorded temperature is −50 °F (−46 °C) at San Jacinto on January 8, 1937. Nevada's 125 °F (52 °C) reading is the third highest statewide record high temperature of a U.S. state, just behind Arizona's 128 °F (53 °C) reading and California's 134 °F (57 °C) reading.
Location | July (°F) | July (°C) | December (°F) | December (°C) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | |
Las Vegas | 106 | 81 | 41 | 27 | 56 | 38 | 13 | 3 |
Reno | 92 | 57 | 33 | 14 | 45 | 25 | 7 | –4 |
Carson City | 89 | 52 | 32 | 11 | 45 | 22 | 7 | –5 |
Elko | 90 | 50 | 32 | 10 | 37 | 14 | 2 | –9 |
Fallon | 92 | 54 | 33 | 12 | 45 | 19 | 7 | –7 |
Winnemucca | 93 | 52 | 34 | 11 | 41 | 17 | 5 | –8 |
Laughlin | 112 | 80 | 44 | 27 | 65 | 43 | 18 | 6 |
The vegetation of Nevada is diverse and differs by state area. Nevada contains six biotic zones: alpine, sub-alpine, ponderosa pine, pinion-juniper, sagebrush and creosotebush.[42]
Nevada is divided into political jurisdictions designated as counties. Carson City is officially a consolidated municipality, meaning it legally functions as both a city and a county. As of 1919, there were 17 counties in the state, ranging from 146 to 18,159 square miles (380 to 47,030 km2).
Lake County, one of the original nine counties formed in 1861, was renamed Roop County in 1862. Part of the county became Lassen County, California, in 1864, resolving border uncertainty. In 1883, Washoe County annexed the portion that remained in Nevada.[43]
In 1969, Ormsby County was dissolved and the Consolidated Municipality of Carson City was created by the Legislature in its place coterminous with the old boundaries of Ormsby County.
Bullfrog County was formed in 1987 from part of Nye County. After the creation was declared unconstitutional, the county was abolished in 1989.[43]
Humboldt County was designated as a county in 1856 by Utah Territorial Legislature and again in 1861 by the new Nevada Legislature.
Clark County is the most populous county in Nevada, accounting for nearly three-quarters of its residents. Las Vegas, Nevada's most populous city, has been the county seat since the county was created in 1909 from a portion of Lincoln County, Nevada. Before that, it was a part of Arizona Territory. Clark County attracts numerous tourists: An estimated 44 million people visited Clark County in 2014.[44]
Washoe County is the second-most populous county of Nevada. Its county seat is Reno. Washoe County includes the Reno–Sparks metropolitan area.
Lyon County is the third most populous county. It was one of the nine original counties created in 1861. It was named after Nathaniel Lyon, the first Union General to be killed in the Civil War. Its current county seat is Yerington. Its first county seat was established at Dayton on November 29, 1861.[45]
County name | County seat | Year founded | 2022 population[46] | Percent of total | Area | Percent of total | Population density | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
sq mi | km2 | per sq mi | per km2 | ||||||
Carson City | Carson City | 1861 | 58,130 | 1.83 % | 157 | 410 | 0.14 % | 370.25 | 142.95 |
Churchill | Fallon | 1861 | 25,843 | 0.81 % | 5,024 | 13,010 | 4.54 % | 5.14 | 1.98 |
Clark | Las Vegas | 1908 | 2,322,985 | 73.10 % | 8,061 | 20,880 | 7.29 % | 288.18 | 111.27 |
Douglas | Minden | 1861 | 49,628 | 1.56 % | 738 | 1,910 | 0.67 % | 67.25 | 25.97 |
Elko | Elko | 1869 | 54,046 | 1.70 % | 17,203 | 44,560 | 15.56 % | 3.14 | 1.21 |
Esmeralda | Goldfield | 1861 | 744 | 0.02 % | 3,589 | 9,300 | 3.25 % | 0.21 | 0.081 |
Eureka | Eureka | 1869 | 1,863 | 0.06 % | 4,180 | 10,800 | 3.78 % | 0.45 | 0.17 |
Humboldt | Winnemucca | 1856/1861 | 17,272 | 0.54 % | 9,658 | 25,010 | 8.73 % | 1.79 | 0.69 |
Lander | Battle Mountain | 1861 | 5,766 | 0.18 % | 5,519 | 14,290 | 4.99 % | 1.04 | 0.40 |
Lincoln | Pioche | 1867 | 4,482 | 0.14 % | 10,637 | 27,550 | 9.62 % | 0.42 | 0.16 |
Lyon | Yerington | 1861 | 61,585 | 1.94 % | 2,024 | 5,240 | 1.83 % | 30.43 | 11.75 |
Mineral | Hawthorne | 1911 | 4,525 | 0.14 % | 3,813 | 9,880 | 3.45 % | 1.19 | 0.46 |
Nye | Tonopah | 1864 | 54,738 | 1.72 % | 18,199 | 47,140 | 16.46 % | 3.01 | 1.16 |
Pershing | Lovelock | 1919 | 6,462 | 0.20 % | 6,067 | 15,710 | 5.49 % | 1.07 | 0.41 |
Storey | Virginia City | 1861 | 4,170 | 0.13 % | 264 | 680 | 0.24 % | 15.80 | 6.10 |
Washoe | Reno | 1861 | 496,745 | 15.63 % | 6,542 | 16,940 | 5.92 % | 75.93 | 29.32 |
White Pine | Ely | 1869 | 8,788 | 0.28 % | 8,897 | 23,040 | 8.05 % | 0.99 | 0.38 |
Totals | Counties: 17 | 3,177,772 | 110,572 | 286,380 | 28.74 | 11.10 |
Largest cities or towns in Nevada
Source:[47]
|
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | Name | County | Pop. | ||||||
![]() Las Vegas ![]() Henderson |
1 | Las Vegas | Clark | 641,903 | ![]() Reno ![]() North Las Vegas |
||||
2 | Henderson | Clark | 317,610 | ||||||
3 | Reno | Washoe | 264,165 | ||||||
4 | North Las Vegas | Clark | 262,527 | ||||||
5 | Enterprise | Clark | 221,831 | ||||||
6 | Spring Valley | Clark | 215,597 | ||||||
7 | Sunrise Manor | Clark | 205,618 | ||||||
8 | Paradise | Clark | 191,238 | ||||||
9 | Sparks | Washoe | 108,445 | ||||||
10 | Carson City | Carson City | 58,639 |
There are 68 designated wilderness areas in Nevada, protecting some 6,579,014 acres (2,662,433 ha) under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management.[48]
The Nevada state parks comprise protected areas managed by the state of Nevada, including state parks, state historic sites, and state recreation areas. There are 24 state park units, including Van Sickle Bi-State Park which opened in July 2011 and is operated in partnership with the adjacent state of California.[49]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1860 | 6,857 | — | |
1870 | 42,941 | 526.2% | |
1880 | 62,266 | 45.0% | |
1890 | 47,355 | −23.9% | |
1900 | 42,335 | −10.6% | |
1910 | 81,875 | 93.4% | |
1920 | 77,407 | −5.5% | |
1930 | 91,058 | 17.6% | |
1940 | 110,247 | 21.1% | |
1950 | 160,083 | 45.2% | |
1960 | 285,278 | 78.2% | |
1970 | 488,738 | 71.3% | |
1980 | 800,493 | 63.8% | |
1990 | 1,201,833 | 50.1% | |
2000 | 1,998,257 | 66.3% | |
2010 | 2,700,551 | 35.1% | |
2020 | 3,104,614 | 15.0% | |
2024 (est.) | 3,267,467 | 5.2% | |
Source: 1910–2020[50] |
The United States Census Bureau determined Nevada had a population of 3,104,614 at the 2020 U.S. census. In 2022, the estimated population of Nevada was 3,177,772, an increase of 73,158 residents (2.36%) since the 2020 census.[51] Nevada had the highest percentage growth in population from 2017 to 2018. At the 2020 census, 6.0% of the state's population were reported as under 5, 22.5% were under 18, and 16.1% were 65 or older. Females made up about 49.8% of the population. 19.1% of the population was reported as foreign-born.
Since the 2020 census, the population of Nevada had a natural increase of 2,374 (the net difference between 42,076 births and 39,702 deaths); and an increase due to net migration of 36,605 (of which 34,280 was due to domestic and 2,325 was due to international migration).[52]
The center of population of Nevada is in southern Nye County.[53] In this county, the unincorporated town of Pahrump, 60 miles (97 km) west of Las Vegas on the California state line, has grown very rapidly from 1980 to 2020. At the 2020 census, the town had 44,738 residents.[54] Las Vegas grew from a gulch of 100 people in 1900 to 10,000 by 1950 to 100,000 by 1970, and was America's fastest-growing city and metropolitan area from 1960 to 2000.
From about the 1940s until 2003, Nevada was the fastest-growing state in the U.S. percentage-wise. Between 1990 and 2000, Nevada's population increased by 66%, while the nation's population increased by 13%. More than two-thirds of the population live in Clark County, which is coextensive with the Las Vegas metropolitan area. Thus, in terms of population, Nevada is one of the most centralized states in the nation.
Henderson and North Las Vegas are among the top 20 fastest-growing U.S. cities with populations over 100,000. The rural community of Mesquite 65 miles (105 km) northeast of Las Vegas was an example of micropolitan growth in the 1990s and 2000s. Other desert towns like Indian Springs and Searchlight on the outskirts of Las Vegas have seen some growth as well.
Since 1950, the rate of population born in Nevada has never peaked above 27 percent, the lowest rate of all states. In 2012, only 25% of Nevadans were born in Nevada.[55]
According to HUD's 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, there were an estimated 7,618 homeless people in Nevada.[56][57]
Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2000[58] | Pop 2010[59] | Pop 2020[60] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
White alone (NH) | 1,303,001 | 1,462,081 | 1,425,952 | 65.21% | 54.14% | 45.93% |
Black or African American alone (NH) | 131,509 | 208,058 | 291,960 | 6.58% | 7.70% | 9.40% |
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 21,397 | 23,536 | 23,392 | 1.07% | 0.87% | 0.75% |
Asian alone (NH) | 88,593 | 191,047 | 265,991 | 4.43% | 7.07% | 8.57% |
Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 7,769 | 15,456 | 22,970 | 0.39% | 0.57% | 0.74% |
Some Other Race alone (NH) | 2,787 | 4,740 | 17,171 | 0.14% | 0.18% | 0.55% |
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 49,231 | 79,132 | 166,921 | 2.46% | 2.93% | 5.38% |
Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 393,970 | 716,501 | 890,257 | 19.72% | 26.53% | 28.68% |
Total | 1,998,257 | 2,700,551 | 3,104,614 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Race and Ethnicity[61] | Alone | Total | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
White (non-Hispanic) | 45.9% | 50.6% | ||
Hispanic or Latino[e] | — | 28.7% | ||
Multiracial | — | 14.0% | ||
African American (non-Hispanic) | 9.4% | 11.1% | ||
Asian | 8.6% | 10.7% | ||
Native American | 0.8% | 2.1% | ||
Pacific Islander | 0.7% | 1.5% | ||
Other | 0.6% | 1.4% |
According to the 2022 American Community Survey, 30.3% of Nevada's population were of Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race): Mexican (22%), Cuban (1.5%), Salvadoran (1.5%), Puerto Rican (1%), and other Hispanic or Latino origin (4.3%).[62] The largest European ancestry groups were: German (8.9%), English (8.1%), Irish (7.2%), and Italian (4.8%).[63] The largest Asian ancestry groups in the state were Filipino (6.4%) and Chinese (1.9%).[64]
Non-Hispanic White
30–40%
|
In 1980, non-Hispanic whites made up 83.2% of the state's population.[65]
Racial composition | 1970[65] | 1980 | 1990[65] | 2000[66] | 2010[67] | 2020[68] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
White | 91.7% | 87.5% | 84.3% | 75.2% | 66.2% | 51.2% |
Black | 5.7% | 6.4% | 6.6% | 6.8% | 8.1% | 9.8% |
Asian | 0.7% | 1.8% | 3.2% | 4.5% | 7.2% | 8.8% |
Native | 1.6% | 1.7% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 1.2% | 1.4% |
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander |
– | – | – | 0.4% | 0.6% | 0.8% |
Other race | 0.3% | 2.7% | 4.4% | 8.0% | 12.0% | 14.0% |
Two or more races | – | – | – | 3.8% | 4.7% | 14.0% |
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) | 5.6% | 6.7% | 10.4% | 19.7% | 26.5% | 28.7% |
Non-Hispanic white | 86.7% | 83.2% | 78.7% | 65.2% | 54.1% | 45.9% |
As of 2011, 63.6% of Nevada's population younger than age 1 were minorities.[69] Las Vegas is a majority-minority city. According to the United States Census Bureau estimates, as of July 1, 2018, non-Hispanic Whites made up 48.7% of Nevada's population.[70]
In Douglas, Mineral, and Pershing counties, a plurality of residents are of Mexican ancestry. In Nye County and Humboldt County, residents are mostly of German ancestry; Washoe County has many Irish Americans. Americans of English descent form pluralities in Lincoln County, Churchill County, Lyon County, White Pine County, and Eureka County.
Asian Americans have lived in the state since at least the 1850s, when the California gold rush brought thousands of Chinese miners to Washoe County. They were followed by a few hundred Japanese farmworkers in the late 19th century. By the late 20th century, many immigrants from China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Bangladesh, India, and Vietnam came to the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The city now has a significant Asian American community, with a mostly Chinese and Taiwanese area known as "Chinatown" west of I-15 on Spring Mountain Road. Filipino Americans form the largest Asian American group in the state, with a population of more than 202,000. They comprise 59.8% of the Asian American population in Nevada and constitute about 6.4% of the entire state's population.[71]
Mining booms drew many Greek and Eastern European immigrants to Nevada.[72] In the early twentieth century, Greeks, Slavs, Danes, Japanese, Italians, and Basques poured into Nevada.[73] Chileans were found in the state as early as 1870.[74] During the mid-1800s, a significant number of European immigrants, mainly from Ireland, England and Germany, arrived in the state with the intention of capitalizing on the thriving mining sector in the region.[75]
Native American tribes in Nevada are the Northern and Southern Paiute, Western Shoshone, Goshute, Hualapai, Washoe, and Ute tribes.[76]
Whites remain the largest racial or ethnic group in Nevada.[77] Hispanics are the fastest growing ethnic group in Nevada.[78] There is a growing Mexican and Central American population in Nevada. Many of Nevada's Latino immigrants are from Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador.[79] Nevada also has a growing multiracial population.[80]
The top countries of origin for immigrants in Nevada were Mexico (39.5 percent of immigrants), the Philippines (14.3 percent), El Salvador (5.2 percent), China (3.1 percent), and Cuba (3 percent).[81]
The majority of people in Nevada are of white (European) ancestry. A small portion trace their ancestry to Basque people recruited as sheepherders. Hispanics in Nevada are mainly of Mexican and Cuban heritage. Latinos comprise about one-fourth of Nevada's residents and are concentrated in the southeast in Nevada. African Americans live mainly in the Las Vegas and Reno area and constitute less than one-tenth of the population. Native Americans of the Paiute, Shoshone, and Washoe tribes live on several reservations in the state and make up a small fraction of Nevada's population.[82]
The most common ancestries in Nevada include Mexican, German, Irish, English, Italian and Asian.[83]
Nevada is the third most diverse state in the country, behind only Hawaii and California.[84][85]
Note: Births within the table do not add up, due to Hispanics being counted both by their ethnicity and by their race, giving a higher overall number.
Race | 2013[86] | 2014[87] | 2015[88] | 2016[89] | 2017[90] | 2018[91] | 2019[92] | 2020[93] | 2021[94] | 2022[95] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
White | 27,293 (77.9%) | 27,638 (77.1%) | 27,648 (76.2%) | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
Non-Hispanic White | 14,951 (42.7%) | 15,151 (42.2%) | 14,937 (41.2%) | 13,918 (38.4%) | 13,171 (36.8%) | 13,021 (36.5%) | 12,479 (35.6%) | 11,602 (34.5%) | 11,800 (35.0%) | 10,961 (33.0%) |
Black | 4,215 (12.0%) | 4,603 (12.8%) | 4,803 (13.2%) | 4,205 (11.6%) | 4,471 (12.5%) | 4,564 (12.8%) | 4,514 (12.9%) | 4,533 (13.5%) | 4,457 (13.2%) | 4,334 (13.1%) |
Asian | 3,097 (8.8%) | 3,145 (8.8%) | 3,337 (9.2%) | 2,666 (7.3%) | 2,685 (7.5%) | 2,613 (7.3%) | 2,587 (7.4%) | 2,467 (7.3%) | 2,372 (7.0%) | 2,548 (7.7%) |
Pacific Islander | ... | ... | ... | 308 (0.8%) | 322 (0.9%) | 340 (1.0%) | 372 (1.1%) | 358 (1.1%) | 331 (1.0%) | 358 (1.1%) |
American Indian | 425 (1.2%) | 475 (1.3%) | 510 (1.4%) | 303 (0.8%) | 305 (0.9%) | 280 (0.8%) | 277 (0.8%) | 234 (0.7%) | 239 (0.7%) | 218 (0.7%) |
Hispanic (of any race) | 12,718 (36.3%) | 13,006 (36.3%) | 13,225 (36.4%) | 13,391 (36.9%) | 13,176 (36.8%) | 13,307 (37.3%) | 13,238 (37.7%) | 12,763 (37.9%) | 12,842 (38.1%) | 13,019 (39.2%) |
Total Nevada | 35,030 (100%) | 35,861 (100%) | 36,298 (100%) | 36,260 (100%) | 35,756 (100%) | 35,682 (100%) | 35,072 (100%) | 33,653 (100%) | 33,686 (100%) | 33,193 (100%) |
A small percentage of Nevada's population lives in rural areas. The culture of these places differs significantly from major metropolitan areas. People in these rural counties tend to be native Nevada residents, unlike in the Las Vegas and Reno areas, where the vast majority of the population was born in another state. The rural population is also less diverse in terms of race and ethnicity. Mining plays an important role in the economies of the rural counties, with tourism being less prominent.[96] Ranching also has a long tradition in rural Nevada.[97]
Rank | Place | Per capita income | County | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Crystal Bay | $180,334 | Washoe | |
2 | Glenbrook | $102,963 | Douglas | |
3 | Zephyr Cove | $94,920 | Douglas | |
4 | Genoa | $86,185 | Douglas | |
5 | Incline Village | $74,294 | Washoe | |
6 | Kingsbury | $68,215 | Douglas | |
7 | Round Hill Village | $67,659 | Douglas | |
8 | East Valley | $67,169 | Douglas | |
9 | Summerlin South | $65,633 | Clark | |
10 | Mount Charleston | $57,583 | Clark | |
Church attendance in Nevada is among the lowest of all U.S. states. In a 2009 Gallup poll only 30% of Nevadans said they attended church weekly or almost weekly, compared to 42% of all Americans (only four states were found to have a lower attendance rate than Nevada's).[99] In 2020, the Public Religion Research Institute determined 67% of the population were Christian,[100] reflecting a 1% increase in religiosity from 2014's separate Pew study.[101]
Major religious affiliations of the people of Nevada were, according to the Pew Research Center in 2014: Protestant 35%, Irreligious 28%, Roman Catholic 25%, Latter-day Saints 4%, Jewish 2%, Hindu less than 1%, Buddhist 0.5% and Muslim around 0.2%. Parts of Nevada (in the eastern parts of the state) are situated in the Mormon Corridor.
The largest denominations by number of adherents in 2010 were the Roman Catholic Church with 451,070; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with 175,149; and the Southern Baptist Convention with 45,535; Buddhist congregations 14,727; Baháʼí Faith 1,723; and Muslim 1,700.[102]
The most common non-English languages spoken in Nevada are Spanish, Tagalog and Chinese.[103] Indigenous languages of Nevada include Northern Paiute, the Southern Paiute, Shoshone, and Washo.[104]
The top seven languages spoken in Nevada according to the U.S. Census data are Spanish, Tagalog, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Amharic, Arabic, and Thai.[105]
Historically what is now Nevada has been inhabited mainly by the Paiute, Shoshone, and Washoe.[106]
The largest Native American tribes in Nevada according to the 2010 census are listed in the table below:[107]
Tribal grouping | American Indian and
Alaska Native alone |
AIAN in combination with
one or more other races |
Total AIAN alone or
in any combination |
---|---|---|---|
Total AIAN population | 32062 | 23883 | 55945 |
Cherokee | 1824 | 4376 | 6200 |
Paiute | 4182 | 677 | 4859 |
Navajo | 1926 | 671 | 2597 |
Paiute-Shoshone | 2118 | 170 | 2288 |
Mexican American Indian | 1222 | 708 | 1930 |
Shoshone | 1388 | 400 | 1788 |
Choctaw | 597 | 872 | 1469 |
Apache | 719 | 690 | 1409 |
Sioux | 702 | 626 | 1328 |
Blackfeet | 284 | 877 | 1161 |
Te-Moak Tribes of Western Shoshone | 1011 | 118 | 1129 |
Washoe | 815 | 130 | 945 |
Ojibwe | 494 | 338 | 832 |
Reno-Sparks Indian Colony | 579 | 13 | 592 |
Iroquois | 228 | 283 | 511 |
Tribe not specified | 9413 | 10117 | 19530 |
The economy of Nevada is tied to tourism (especially entertainment and gambling related), mining, and cattle ranching. Nevada's industrial outputs are tourism, entertainment, mining, machinery, printing and publishing, food processing, and electric equipment. The Bureau of Economic Analysis[109][110] estimates Nevada's total state product in 2018 was $170 billion.[111] The state's per capita personal income in 2020 was $53,635, ranking 31st in the nation.[112] Nevada's state debt in 2012 was calculated to be $7.5 billion, or $3,100 per taxpayer.[113] As of May 2021, the state's unemployment rate was 7.8%.[114]
In portions of the state outside of the Las Vegas and Reno metropolitan areas mining plays a major economic role. By value, gold is by far the most important mineral mined. In 2022, 4,040,000 troy ounces (126 t) of gold worth $7.3 billion were mined in Nevada, and the state accounted for 4% of world gold production. Other minerals mined in Nevada include construction aggregates, copper, gypsum, diatomite and lithium.[115][116] Despite its rich deposits, the cost of mining in Nevada is generally high, and output is very sensitive to world commodity prices.
Cattle ranching is a major economic activity in rural Nevada.[117] Nevada's agricultural outputs are cattle, hay, alfalfa, dairy products, onions, and potatoes. In 2020, there were an estimated 438,511 head of cattle and 71,699 head of sheep in Nevada.[118] Most of these animals forage on rangeland in the summer, with supplemental feed in the winter. Calves are generally shipped to out-of-state feedlots in the fall to be fattened for the market. Over 90% of Nevada's 653,891 acres (264,620 ha) of cropland is used to grow hay, mostly alfalfa, for livestock feed.[118]
The largest employers in the state, as of the first fiscal quarter of 2011, are the following, according to the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation:[119]
Amtrak's California Zephyr train uses the Union Pacific's original transcontinental railroad line in daily service from Chicago to Emeryville, California, serving Elko, Winnemucca, and Reno. Las Vegas has had no passenger train service since Amtrak's Desert Wind was discontinued in 1997. Amtrak Thruway buses provide connecting service from Las Vegas to trains at Needles, California, Los Angeles, and Bakersfield, California; and from Stateline, Nevada, to Sacramento, California. There have been a number of proposals to re-introduce service to either Los Angeles or Southern California with the privately run Brightline West having begun construction in 2024.
The Union Pacific Railroad has some railroads in the north and south of Nevada. Greyhound Lines provide some bus service to the state.
Interstate 15 (I-15) passes through the southern tip of the state, serving Las Vegas and other communities. I-215 and I-515 also serve the Las Vegas metropolitan area. I-80 crosses through the northern part of Nevada, roughly following the path of the Humboldt River from Utah in the east and the Truckee River westward through Reno into California. It has a spur route, I-580. Nevada also is served by several U.S. highways: US 6, US 50, US 93, US 95 and US 395. There are also 189 Nevada state routes. Many of Nevada's counties have a system of county routes as well, though many are not signed or paved in rural areas. Nevada is one of a few states in the U.S. that do not have a continuous interstate highway linking its two major population centers – the road connection between the Las Vegas and Reno areas is a combination of several different Interstate and U.S. highways. The Interstate 11 proposed routing may eventually remedy this.[120]
The state is one of just a few in the country to allow semi-trailer trucks with three trailers – what might be called a "road train" in Australia. But American versions are usually smaller, in part because they must ascend and descend some fairly steep mountain passes.
RTC Transit is the public transit system in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The agency is the largest transit agency in the state and operates a network of bus service across the Las Vegas Valley, including the use of The Deuce, double-decker buses, on the Las Vegas Strip and several outlying routes. RTC RIDE operates a system of local transit bus service throughout the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area. Other transit systems in the state include Carson City's JAC. Most other counties in the state do not have public transportation at all.
Additionally, a 4-mile (6.4 km) monorail system provides public transportation in the Las Vegas area. The Las Vegas Monorail line services several casino properties and the Las Vegas Convention Center on the east side of the Las Vegas Strip, running near Paradise Road, with a possible future extension to Harry Reid International Airport. Several hotels also run their own monorail lines between each other, which are typically several blocks in length.
Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas is the busiest airport serving Nevada. The Reno-Tahoe International Airport (formerly known as the Reno Cannon International Airport) is the other major airport in the state.
External image | |
---|---|
![]() |
Nevada has had a thriving solar energy sector. An independent study in 2013 concluded that solar users created a $36 million net benefit. However, in December 2015, the Public Utility Commission let the state's only power company, NV Energy, charge higher rates and fees to solar panel users, leading to an immediate collapse of rooftop solar panel use.[121]
In December 1987, Congress amended the Nuclear Waste Policy Act to designate Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository as the only site to be characterized as a permanent repository for all of the nation's highly radioactive waste.[122]
In 2018, the National Low Income Housing Coalition calculated the discrepancy between available affordable housing units and renters who earn below the poverty line. In Nevada, only 15 affordable rental homes are available per 100 extremely low income (ELI) households.[123] The shortage extended to a deficit in supply of 71,358 affordable rental homes. This was the largest discrepancy of any state. The most notable catalyst for this shortage was the Great Recession and housing crisis of 2007 and 2008. Since then, housing prices have increased while demand has increased, and supply has struggled to match the increase in demand. In addition, low-income service workers were slowly being pushed out by an influx of tech professionals. In Nevada there is essentially a standard of six-figure income to affordably rent a single-family home.[124] Considering the average salary in Nevada, $54,842 per year, this standard is on average, unaffordable.[125] The disproportionate cost of housing compared to average salary has led to 112,872 renters to be paying more than half of their yearly income towards housing.[126]
The definition of an affordable home is "one that a household can obtain for 30 percent or less of its annual income". So, there is clearly a long way to go in order to close the gap between housing prices and relative income in the state. Renters are looking for solutions to still be able to live in the state in a way that their income can support. As a result, single adults are being forced to split rent with other renters or move residences to farther outside metro areas. One solution being offered is to increase the supply of higher income positions within the state to make things more affordable. However, this would require Nevadans to retrain in new jobs or careers.
Education in Nevada is achieved through public and private elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as colleges and universities.
A May 2015 educational reform law expanded school choice options to 450,000 Nevada students who are at up to 185% of the federal poverty level. Education savings accounts (ESAs) are enabled by the new law to help pay the tuition for private schools. Alternatively, families "can use funds in these accounts to also pay for textbooks and tutoring".[127][128]
Approximately 86.9% of Nevada residents have attained at least a high school degree or equivalent, which is below the national average of 88.6%.[129]
Public school districts in Nevada include:
The Nevada Aerospace Hall of Fame provides educational resources and promotes the aerospace and aviation history of the state.[130]
Under the Constitution of the State of Nevada, the powers of the Nevada government are divided among three separate departments: the executive consisting of the governor of Nevada and their cabinet along with the other elected constitutional officers; the legislative consisting of the Nevada Legislature, which includes the Assembly and the Senate; and the judicial consisting of the Supreme Court of Nevada and lower courts.
The governor is the chief magistrate of Nevada,[131] the head of the executive department of the state's government,[131] and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces.[132] The current governor is Joe Lombardo, a Republican. The executive branch also consists of an independently elected lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, state controller, and attorney general who function as a check and balance on the power of the governor.[133]
The Nevada Legislature is a bicameral body divided into an Assembly and Senate. Members of the Assembly serve two years, and members of the Senate serve four years. Both houses of the Nevada Legislature enacted term limits starting in 2010, with senators and assemblymen/women who are limited to a maximum of twelve years in each body (by appointment or election which is a lifetime limit) – a provision of the constitution which was upheld by the Supreme Court of Nevada in a unanimous decision. Each session of the legislature meets for a constitutionally mandated 120 days in every odd-numbered year, or longer if the governor calls a special session.
On December 18, 2018, Nevada became the first in the United States with a female majority in its legislature. Women hold nine of the 21 seats in the Nevada Senate, and 23 of the 42 seats in the Nevada Assembly.[134]
The Supreme Court of Nevada is the state supreme court and the head of the Nevada Judiciary. Original jurisdiction is divided between the district courts (with general jurisdiction), and justice courts and municipal courts (both of limited jurisdiction). Appeals from District Courts are made directly to the Nevada Supreme Court, which under a deflective model of jurisdiction, has the discretion to send cases to the Court of Appeals for final resolution.[135]
Incorporated towns in Nevada, known as cities, are given the authority to legislate anything not prohibited by law. A recent movement has begun to permit home rule to incorporate Nevada cities to give them more flexibility and fewer restrictions from the Legislature. Town Boards for unincorporated towns are limited local governments created by either the local county commission, or by referendum, and form a purely advisory role and in no way diminish the responsibilities of the county commission that creates them.
In 1900, Nevada's population was the smallest of all states and was shrinking, as the difficulties of living in a "barren desert" began to outweigh the lure of silver for many early settlers. Historian Lawrence Friedman has explained what happened next:
Nevada, in a burst of ingenuity, built an economy by exploiting its sovereignty. Its strategy was to legalize all sorts of things that were illegal in California ... after the easy divorce came easy marriage and casino gaming. Even prostitution is legal in Nevada, in any county that decides to allow it. Quite a few of them do.[136]
With the advent of air conditioning for summertime use and Southern Nevada's mild winters, the fortunes of the state began to turn around, as it did for Arizona, making these two states the fastest growing in the Union.
Nevada is the only state where prostitution is legal – in a licensed brothel in a county which has specifically voted to permit it. It is illegal in larger jurisdictions such as Clark County (which contains Las Vegas), Washoe County (which contains Reno), and the independent city of Carson City.
Nevada's early reputation as a "divorce haven" arose from the fact that before the no-fault divorce revolution in the 1970s, divorces were difficult to obtain in the United States. Already having legalized gambling and prostitution, Nevada continued the trend of boosting its profile by adopting one of the most liberal divorce statutes in the nation. This resulted in Williams v. North Carolina (1942), 317 U.S. 287 (1942), in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled North Carolina had to give "full faith and credit" to a Nevada divorce. The Court modified its decision in Williams v. North Carolina (1945), 325 U.S. 226 (1945), by holding a state need not recognize a Nevada divorce unless one of the parties was domiciled there at the time the divorce was granted and the forum state was entitled to make its own determination.
As of 2009, Nevada's divorce rate was above the national average.[137]
Nevada's tax laws are intended to draw new residents and businesses to the state. Nevada has no personal income tax or corporate income tax.[138] Since Nevada does not collect income data it cannot share such information with the federal government, the IRS.[139]
The state sales tax (similar to VAT or GST) in Nevada is variable depending upon the county. The statewide tax rate is 6.85%, with five counties (Elko, Esmeralda, Eureka, Humboldt, and Mineral) charging this amount. Counties may impose additional rates via voter approval or through approval of the state legislature; therefore, the applicable sales tax varies by county from 6.85% to 8.375% (Clark County). Clark County, which includes Las Vegas, imposes four separate county option taxes in addition to the statewide rate: 0.25% for flood control, 0.50% for mass transit, 0.25% for infrastructure, and 0.25% for more law enforcement. In Washoe County, which includes Reno, the sales tax rate is 7.725%, due to county option rates for flood control, the ReTRAC train trench project, and mass transit, and an additional county rate approved under the Local Government Tax Act of 1991.[140] The minimum Nevada sales tax rate changed on July 1, 2009.[141]
The lodging tax rate in unincorporated Clark County, which includes the Las Vegas Strip, is 12%. Within the boundaries of the cities of Las Vegas and Henderson, the lodging tax rate is 13%.
Corporations such as Apple Inc. allegedly have set up investment companies and funds in Nevada to avoid paying taxes.[142]
In 2009, the Nevada Legislature passed a bill creating a domestic partnership registry which enables same-sex couples to enjoy the same rights as married couples. Due to the landmark decision in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644 (2015), same-sex marriage was outright legalized in the state.
Nevada provides a friendly environment for the formation of corporations, and many (especially California) businesses have incorporated in Nevada to take advantage of the benefits of the Nevada statute. Nevada corporations offer great flexibility to the board of directors and simplify or avoid many of the rules that are cumbersome to business managers in some other states. In addition, Nevada has no franchise tax, although it does require businesses to have a license for which the business has to pay the state.
Similarly, many U.S. states have usury laws limiting the amount of interest a lender can charge, but federal law allows corporations to "import" these laws from their home state. Nevada has no cap on interest rates that may be agreed to in contracts.[143]
Nevada has very liberal alcohol laws. Bars are permitted to remain open 24 hours, with no "last call". Liquor stores, convenience stores and supermarkets may also sell alcohol 24 hours per day and may sell beer, wine and spirits.
In 2016, Nevada voters approved Question 2, which legalized the possession, transportation and cultivation of personal use amounts of marijuana for adults age 21 years and older, and authorized the creation of a regulated market for the sale of marijuana to adults age 21 years and older through state-licensed retail outlets.[144] Nevada voters had previously approved medical marijuana in 2000, but rejected marijuana legalization in a similar referendum in 2006. Marijuana in all forms remains illegal under federal law.
Aside from cannabis legalization, non-alcohol drug laws are a notable exception to Nevada's otherwise libertarian principles. It is notable for having the harshest penalties for drug offenders in the country. Nevada remains the only state to still use mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines for possession of drugs.[145]
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported, in their Behavioral Health Barometer for Nevada, published in 2014, changes to substance abuse patterns and addiction across the southwestern state.[146] Between 2012 and 2013, adolescents in Nevada abused illicit substances at a slightly higher percentage than nationally. 10.2 percent of Nevada's adolescents abused illicit drugs compared to 9.2 percent across the United States. Between 2009 and 2013, 11.7 percent of all adolescents in the state reported abusing illicit, intoxicating substances in the month prior to the survey; this represents 25,000 adolescents.
Nevada voters enacted a smoking ban ("The Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act") in November 2006 which became effective on December 8, 2006. It outlaws smoking in most workplaces and public places. Smoking is permitted in bars, but only if the bar serves no food, or the bar is inside a larger casino. Smoking is also permitted in casinos, certain hotel rooms, tobacco shops, and brothels.[147] However, some businesses do not obey this law and the government tends not to enforce it.[148] In 2011, smoking restrictions in Nevada were relaxed for certain places which allow only people 21 or older inside.[149]
In 2006, the crime rate in Nevada was about 24% higher than the national average rate, though crime has since decreased. Property crimes accounted for about 85% of the total crime rate in Nevada, which was 21% higher than the national rate. The remaining 20.3% were violent crimes.[150] A complete listing of crime data in the state for 2013 can be found here:[151]
Party | Total voters | Percentage | |
---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 616,656 | 29.42% | |
Republican | 616,882 | 29.43% | |
Independent American | 94,604 | 4.51% | |
Libertarian | 16,202 | 0.77% | |
Other parties | 48,727 | 2.33% | |
Nonpartisan | 703,085 | 33.54% | |
Total | 2,096,156 | 100.00% |
Due to heavy growth in the southern portion of the state, there is a noticeable divide between the politics of northern and southern Nevada. Historically, northern Nevada has been very Republican. The more rural counties of the north are among the most conservative regions of the state. Carson City, the state's capital, is a Republican-leaning swing city/county. Washoe County, home to Reno, has historically been strongly Republican, but now has become a fairly balanced swing county, like the state as a whole. Clark County, home to Las Vegas, has been a stronghold for the Democratic Party since it was founded in 1909, having voted Republican only six times and once for a third-party candidate, although in recent times becoming more competitive, most notably in the 2024 Presidential Election where the Democratic Party's margin of victory was only 2.63 percentage points to Republicans.[153] Clark and Washoe counties have long dominated the state's politics. Between them, they cast 87% of Nevada's vote, and elect a substantial majority of the state legislature. The last Republican to carry Clark County was George H. W. Bush in 1988, and the last Republican to carry Washoe County was George W. Bush in 2004. The great majority of the state's elected officials are from either Las Vegas or Reno.[154] Donald Trump was able to carry Nevada with a statewide majority in 2024, despite losing both Clark and Washoe.
In 2014, Republican Adam Laxalt, despite losing both Clark and Washoe counties, was elected Attorney General. However, he had lost Clark County only by 5.6% and Washoe County by 1.4%, attributable to lower turnout in these counties.[155]
Nevada has been won by the winner of nearly every presidential election since its first in 1864, only being carried by the defeated candidate eight times since statehood, most of which were before 1900. Since 1912 Nevada has been carried by the presidential victor the most out of any state (27 of 29 elections), the only exceptions being 1976 when it voted for Gerald Ford over Jimmy Carter and 2016 when the state was carried by Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump. This gives the state status as a political bellwether. It was one of only three states won by John F. Kennedy in the American West in the election of 1960, albeit narrowly.[156] The state's U.S. Senators are Democrats Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen. The Governorship is held by Joe Lombardo, a Republican.
Nevada is the only U.S. state to have a none of the above option available on its ballots. Officially called None of These Candidates, the option was first added to the ballot in 1975 and is used in all statewide elections, including president, US Senate and all state constitutional positions. In the event "None of These Candidates" receives a plurality of votes in the election, the candidate with the next-highest total is elected.[157]
In a 2020 study, Nevada was ranked as the 23rd on the "Cost of Voting Index", which is a measure of "the ease of voting across the United States."[158]
Resort areas like Las Vegas, Reno, Lake Tahoe, and Laughlin attract visitors from around the nation and world. In fiscal year 2022 Nevada casinos (not counting those with annual revenue under a million dollars) brought in US$10.7 billion in gaming revenue and another US$15.7 billion in non-gaming revenue.[159]
Nevada has by far the most hotel rooms per capita in the United States. According to the American Hotel and Lodging Association, there were 187,301 rooms in 584 hotels (of 15 or more rooms). The state is ranked just below California, Texas, Florida, and New York in the total number of rooms, but those states have much larger populations. Nevada has one hotel room for every 14 residents, far above the national average of one hotel room per 67 residents.[160]
Prostitution is legal in parts of Nevada in licensed brothels, but only counties with populations under 400,000 have the option to legalize it. Although prostitution is not a major part of the Nevada economy, employing roughly 300 women as independent contractors, it is a very visible endeavor. Of the 14 counties permitted to legalize prostitution under state law, eight have chosen to legalize brothels. State law prohibits prostitution in Clark County (which contains Las Vegas), and Washoe County (which contains Reno). However, prostitution is legal in Storey County, which is part of the Reno–Sparks metropolitan area.
The Las Vegas Valley is home to the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League who began to play in the 2017–18 NHL season at T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League who began play at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise in 2020 after moving from Oakland, California, and the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA who began playing in 2018 at Mandalay Bay Events Center after relocating from San Antonio. The Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball plan to move to Las Vegas by 2027.[161][162]
Nevada takes pride in college sports, most notably its college football. College teams in the state include the Nevada Wolf Pack (representing the University of Nevada, Reno) and the UNLV Rebels (representing the University of Nevada, Las Vegas), both in the Mountain West Conference (MW).
UNLV is most remembered for its men's basketball program, which experienced its height of supremacy in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Coached by Jerry Tarkanian, the Runnin' Rebels became one of the most elite programs in the country. In 1990, UNLV won the Men's Division I Championship by defeating Duke 103–73, which set tournament records for most points scored by a team and largest margin of victory in the national title game.
In 1991, UNLV finished the regular season undefeated, a feat that would not be matched in Division I men's basketball for more than 20 years. Forward Larry Johnson won several awards, including the Naismith Award. UNLV reached the Final Four yet again, but lost their national semifinal against Duke 79–77. The Runnin' Rebels were the Associated Press pre-season No. 1 back to back (1989–90, 1990–91). North Carolina is the only other team to accomplish that (2007–08, 2008–09).
The state's involvement in major-college sports is not limited to its local schools. In the 21st century, the Las Vegas area has become a significant regional center for college basketball conference tournaments. The MW, West Coast Conference, and Western Athletic Conference all hold their men's and women's tournaments in the area, and the Pac-12 holds its men's tournament there as well. The Big Sky Conference, after decades of holding its men's and women's conference tournaments at campus sites, began holding both tournaments in Reno in 2016.
Las Vegas has hosted several professional boxing matches, most recently at the MGM Grand Garden Arena with bouts such as Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield, Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson II, Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Oscar De La Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao and at the newer T-Mobile Arena with Canelo Álvarez vs. Amir Khan.
Along with significant rises in popularity in mixed martial arts (MMA), a number of fight leagues such as the UFC have taken interest in Las Vegas as a primary event location due to the number of suitable host venues. The Mandalay Bay Events Center and MGM Grand Garden Arena are among some of the more popular venues for fighting events such as MMA and have hosted several UFC and other MMA title fights. The city has held the most UFC events with 86 events.
The state is also home to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, which hosts NASCAR's Pennzoil 400 and South Point 400. Two venues in the immediate Las Vegas area host major annual events in rodeo. The Thomas & Mack Center, built for UNLV men's basketball, hosts the National Finals Rodeo. The PBR World Finals, operated by the bull riding-only Professional Bull Riders, was also held at the Thomas & Mack Center before moving to T-Mobile Arena in 2016.
The state is also home to famous tennis player, Andre Agassi, and current baseball superstar Bryce Harper.
Team | Sport | League | Venue (capacity) | Established | Titles |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Las Vegas Raiders | Football | NFL | Allegiant Stadium (65,000) | 2020 | 3[f] |
Vegas Golden Knights | Ice hockey | NHL | T-Mobile Arena (17,500) | 2017 | 1 |
Las Vegas Aces | Women's basketball | WNBA | Michelob Ultra Arena (12,000) | 2018 | 2 |
Team | Sport | League | Venue (capacity) | Established | Titles |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Las Vegas Aviators | Baseball | MiLB (AAA–PCL) | Las Vegas Ballpark (10,000) | 1983 | 2 |
Reno Aces | Greater Nevada Field (9,013) | 2009 | 2 | ||
Vegas Royals | Basketball | ABA | 0 | ||
Henderson Silver Knights | Ice hockey | AHL | Dollar Loan Center (5,567) | 2020 | 0 |
Tahoe Knight Monsters | ECHL | Tahoe Blue Event Center (5,000) | 2024 | 0 | |
Las Vegas Lights FC | Soccer | USLC | Cashman Field (9,334) | 2018 | 0 |
Nevada Storm | Women's football | WFA | Damonte Ranch High School (N/A) Fernley High School (N/A) Galena High School (N/A) |
2008 | 0 |
Sin City Trojans | Desert Pines High School (N/A) | 0 | |||
Vegas Knight Hawks | Indoor football | IFL | Dollar Loan Center (6,019) | 2021 | 0 |
Las Vegas Desert Dogs | Box lacrosse | NLL | Michelob Ultra Arena (12,000) | 0 |
Team | Sport | League | Venue (capacity) | Established | Titles |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reno Ice Raiders | Ice hockey | MWHL | Reno Ice | 2015 | 0 |
Vegas Jesters | City National Arena (600) | 2012 | 0 | ||
Las Vegas Thunderbirds | USPHL | 2019 | 0 | ||
Las Vegas Legends | Soccer | NPSL | Peter Johann Memorial Field (2,500) | 2021 | 0 |
Nevada Coyotes FC | UPSL | Rio Vista Sports Complex (N/A) | 2016 | 0 |
School | Team | League | Division | Conference |
---|---|---|---|---|
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) | UNLV Rebels | NCAA | NCAA Division I | Mountain West |
University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) | Nevada Wolf Pack | |||
College of Southern Nevada (CSN) | CSN Coyotes | NJCAA | NJCAA Division I | Scenic West |
Western Nevada College (WNC) | WNC Wildcats |
Several United States Navy ships have been named USS Nevada in honor of the state. They include:
Area 51 is near Groom Lake, a dry salt lake bed. The much smaller Creech Air Force Base is in Indian Springs, Nevada; Hawthorne Army Depot in Hawthorne; the Tonopah Test Range near Tonopah; and Nellis AFB in the northeast part of the Las Vegas Valley. Naval Air Station Fallon in Fallon; NSAWC, (pronounced "EN-SOCK") in western Nevada. NSAWC consolidated three Command Centers into a single Command Structure under a flag officer on July 11, 1996. The Naval Strike Warfare Center based at NAS Fallon since 1984, was joined with the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and the Carrier Airborne Early Warning Weapons School, which both moved from NAS Miramar as a result of a Base Realignment and Closure decision in 1993 which transferred that installation back to the Marine Corps as MCAS Miramar. The Seahawk Weapon School was added in 1998 to provide tactical training for Navy helicopters.
These bases host a number of activities including the Joint Unmanned Aerial Systems Center of Excellence, the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, Nevada Test and Training Range, Red Flag, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the United States Air Force Warfare Center, the United States Air Force Weapons School, and the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School.
A patio (/ˈpætioÊŠ/,[1] from Spanish: patio [ˈpatjo]; "courtyard", "forecourt", "yard", "little garden") is an outdoor space generally used for dining or recreation that adjoins a structure and is typically paved.[2] In Australia, the term is expanded to include roofed structures such as a veranda, which provides protection from sun and rain.[3] Pronunciation can vary in Australia as well: patty-oh is perhaps more common generally although payshee-oh may be used by older Australians. [4]
Patios are most commonly paved with concrete or stone slabs (also known as paving flags). They can also be created using bricks, block paving, tiles, cobbles or gravel. Other kinds of patio materials these days include alumawood, aluminum, acrylic and glass. Other options include concrete, stamped concrete, and aggregate concrete.
Patio is also a general term used for outdoor seating at restaurants, especially in Canadian English. While common in Europe even before 1900, eating outdoors at restaurants in North America was exotic until the 1940s. The Hotel St. Moritz in New York in the 1950s advertised itself as having the first true continental cafe with outdoor seating. The Toronto Star welcomed that city's first patio in the 1960s. In the United States, having a warmer and sunnier climate than Northern Europe, outdoor dining grew rapidly in the 1960s and today is a popular dining experience in the warmer parts of the mainland.[5]
![]() |
This article possibly contains original research. (July 2016)
|
A lawn (/lÉâ€ÂÂÂËÂÂÂÂn/) is an area of soil-covered land planted with grasses and other durable plants such as clover which are maintained at a short height with a lawn mower (or sometimes grazing animals) and used for aesthetic and recreational purposes—it is also commonly referred to as part of a garden. Lawns are usually composed only of grass species, subject to weed and pest control, maintained in a green color (e.g., by watering), and are regularly mowed to ensure an acceptable length.[1] Lawns are used around houses, apartments, commercial buildings and offices. Many city parks also have large lawn areas. In recreational contexts, the specialised names turf, parade, pitch, field or green may be used, depending on the sport and the continent.
The term "lawn", referring to a managed grass space, dates to at least the 16th century. With suburban expansion, the lawn has become culturally ingrained in some areas of the world as part of the desired household aesthetic.[2] However, awareness of the negative environmental impact of this ideal is growing.[3] In some jurisdictions where there are water shortages, local government authorities are encouraging alternatives to lawns to reduce water use. Researchers in the United States have noted that suburban lawns are "biological deserts" that are contributing to a "continental-scale ecological homogenization."[4] Lawn maintenance practices also cause biodiversity loss in surrounding areas.[5][6] Some forms of lawn, such as tapestry lawns, are designed partly for biodiversity and pollinator support.
Lawn is a cognate of Welsh llan ( Cornish and Breton *lann* which is derived from the Common Brittonic word landa (Old French: lande) that originally meant heath, barren land, or clearing.[7][8]
Areas of grass grazed regularly by rabbits, horses or sheep over a long period often form a very low, tight sward similar to a modern lawn. This was the original meaning of the word "lawn", and the term can still be found in place names. Some forest areas where extensive grazing is practiced still have these seminatural lawns. For example, in the New Forest, England, such grazed areas are common, and are known as lawns, for example Balmer Lawn.[citation needed]
Lawns may have originated as grassed enclosures within early medieval settlements used for communal grazing of livestock, as distinct from fields reserved for agriculture.[citation needed] Low, mown-meadow areas may also have been valued because they allowed those inside an enclosed fence or castle to view those approaching. The early lawns were not always distinguishable from pasture fields. The damp climate of maritime Western Europe in the north made lawns possible to grow and manage. They were not a part of gardens in most other regions and cultures of the world until contemporary influence.[9]
In 1100s Britain, low-growing area of grasses and meadow flowers were grazed or scythed to keep them short, and used for sport.[10] Lawn bowling, which began in the 12th or 13th century, required short turf.[10]
Establishing grass using sod instead of seed was first documented in a Japanese text of 1159.[10]
Lawns became popular with the aristocracy in northern Europe from the Middle Ages onward. In the fourteen hundreds, open expanses of low grasses appear in paintings of public and private areas; by the fifteen hundreds, such areas were found in the gardens of the wealthy across northern and central Europe. Public meadow areas, kept short by sheep, were used for new sports such as cricket, soccer, and golf.[10] The word "laune" is first attested in 1540 from the Old French lande "heath, moor, barren land; clearing".[11] It initially described a natural opening in a woodland.[10] In the sixteen hundreds, "lawn" came to mean a grassy stretch of untilled land, and by mid-century, there were publications on seeding and transplanting sod. In the seventeen hundreds, "lawn" came to mean specifically a mown stretch of meadow.[10]
Lawns similar to those of today first appeared in France and England in the 1700s when André Le Nôtre designed the gardens of the Palace of Versailles that included a small area of grass called the tapis vert, or "green carpet", which became a common feature of French gardens. Large, mown open spaces became popular in Europe and North America.[10] The lawn was influenced by later seventeen-hundreds trends replicating the romantic aestheticism of grassy pastoralism from Italian landscape paintings.[12]
Before the invention of mowing machines in 1830, lawns were managed very differently. They were an element of wealthy estates and manor houses, and in some places were maintained by labor-intensive scything and shearing (for hay or silage). They were also pasture land maintained through grazing by sheep or other livestock.[citation needed]
It was not until the 17th and 18th century that the garden and the lawn became a place created first as walkways and social areas. They were made up of meadow plants, such as camomile, a particular favourite (see camomile lawn). In the early 17th century, the Jacobean epoch of gardening began; during this period, the closely cut "English" lawn was born. By the end of this period, the English lawn was a symbol of status of the aristocracy and gentry.[citation needed]
In the early 18th century, landscape gardening for the aristocracy entered a golden age, under the direction of William Kent and Lancelot "Capability" Brown. They refined the English landscape garden style with the design of natural, or "romantic", estate settings for wealthy Englishmen.[13] Brown, remembered as "England's greatest gardener", designed over 170 parks, many of which still endure. His influence was so great that the contributions to the English garden made by his predecessors Charles Bridgeman and William Kent are often overlooked.[14]
His work still endures at Croome Court (where he also designed the house), Blenheim Palace, Warwick Castle, Harewood House, Bowood House, Milton Abbey (and nearby Milton Abbas village), in traces at Kew Gardens and many other locations.[15] His style of smooth undulating lawns which ran seamlessly to the house and meadow, clumps, belts and scattering of trees and his serpentine lakes formed by invisibly damming small rivers, were a new style within the English landscape, a "gardenless" form of landscape gardening, which swept away almost all the remnants of previous formally patterned styles. His landscapes were fundamentally different from what they replaced, the well-known formal gardens of England which were criticised by Alexander Pope and others from the 1710s.[16]
The open "English style" of parkland first spread across Britain and Ireland, and then across Europe, such as the garden à la française being replaced by the French landscape garden. By this time, the word "lawn" in England had semantically shifted to describe a piece of a garden covered with grass and closely mown.[17]
Wealthy families in America during the late 18th century also began mimicking English landscaping styles. British settlers in North America imported an affinity for landscapes in the style of the English lawn. However, early in the colonization of the continent, environments with thick, low-growing, grass-dominated vegetation were rare in the eastern part of the continent, enough so that settlers were warned that it would be difficult to find land suitable for grazing cattle.[18] In 1780, the Shaker community began the first industrial production of high-quality grass seed in North America, and a number of seed companies and nurseries were founded in Philadelphia. The increased availability of these grasses meant they were in plentiful supply for parks and residential areas, not just livestock.[17]
Thomas Jefferson has long been given credit for being the first person to attempt an English-style lawn at his estate, Monticello, in 1806, but many others had tried to emulate English landscaping before he did. Over time, an increasing number towns in New England began to emphasize grass spaces. Many scholars link this development to the romantic and transcendentalist movements of the 19th century. These green commons were also heavily associated with the success of the Revolutionary War and often became the homes of patriotic war memorials after the Civil War ended in 1865.[17]
Before the mechanical lawn mower, the upkeep of lawns was possible only for the extremely wealthy estates and manor houses of the aristocracy. Labor-intensive methods of scything and shearing the grass were required to maintain the lawn in its correct state, and most of the land in England was required for more functional, agricultural purposes.[citation needed]
This all changed with the invention of the lawn mower by Edwin Beard Budding in 1830. Budding had the idea for a lawn mower after seeing a machine in a local cloth mill which used a cutting cylinder (or bladed reel) mounted on a bench to trim the irregular nap from the surface of woolen cloth and give a smooth finish.[19] Budding realised that a similar device could be used to cut grass if the mechanism was mounted in a wheeled frame to make the blades rotate close to the lawn's surface. His mower design was to be used primarily to cut the lawn on sports grounds and extensive gardens, as a superior alternative to the scythe, and he was granted a British patent on 31 August 1830.[20]
Budding went into partnership with a local engineer, John Ferrabee, who paid the costs of development and acquired rights to manufacture and sell lawn mowers and to license other manufacturers. Together they made mowers in a factory at Thrupp near Stroud.[21] Among the other companies manufacturing under license the most successful was Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies of Ipswich which began mower production as early as 1832.[22]
However, his model had two crucial drawbacks. It was immensely heavy (it was made of cast iron) and difficult to manoeuvre in the garden, and did not cut the grass very well. The blade would often spin above the grass uselessly.[22] It took ten more years and further innovations, including the advent of the Bessemer process for the production of the much lighter alloy steel and advances in motorization such as the drive chain, for the lawn mower to become a practical proposition. Middle-class families across the country, in imitation of aristocratic landscape gardens, began to grow finely trimmed lawns in their back gardens.[citation needed]
In the 1850s, Thomas Green of Leeds introduced a revolutionary mower design called the Silens Messor (meaning silent cutter), which used a chain to transmit power from the rear roller to the cutting cylinder. The machine was much lighter and quieter than the gear driven machines that preceded them, and won first prize at the first lawn mower trial at the London Horticultural Gardens.[22] Thus began a great expansion in the lawn mower production in the 1860s. James Sumner of Lancashire patented the first steam-powered lawn mower in 1893.[23] Around 1900, Ransomes' Automaton, available in chain- or gear-driven models, dominated the British market. In 1902, Ransomes produced the first commercially available mower powered by an internal combustion gasoline engine. JP Engineering of Leicester, founded after World War I, invented the first riding mowers.[citation needed]
This went hand-in-hand with a booming consumer market for lawns from the 1860s onward. With the increasing popularity of sports in the mid-Victorian period, the lawn mower was used to craft modern-style sporting ovals, playing fields, pitches and grass courts for the nascent sports of football, lawn bowls, lawn tennis and others.[24] The rise of Suburbanisation in the interwar period was heavily influenced by the garden city movement of Ebenezer Howard and the creation of the first garden suburbs at the turn of the 20th century.[25] The garden suburb, developed through the efforts of social reformer Henrietta Barnett and her husband, exemplified the incorporation of the well manicured lawn into suburban life.[26] Suburbs dramatically increased in size. Harrow Weald went from just 1,500 to over 10,000 while Pinner jumped from 3,00 to over 20,000. During the 1930s, over 4 million new suburban houses were built and the 'suburban revolution' had made England the most heavily suburbanized country in the world by a considerable margin.[27]
Lawns began to proliferate in America from the 1870s onwards. As more plants were introduced from Europe, lawns became smaller as they were filled with flower beds, perennials, sculptures, and water features.[28] Eventually the wealthy began to move away from the cities into new suburban communities. In 1856, an architectural book was published to accompany the development of the new suburbia that placed importance on the availability of a grassy space for children to play on and a space to grow fruits and vegetables that further imbued the lawn with cultural importance.[17] Lawns began making more appearances in development plans, magazine articles, and catalogs.[29] The lawn became less associated with being a status symbol, instead giving way to a landscape aesthetic. Improvements in the lawn mower and water supply enabled the spread of lawn culture from the Northeast to the South, where the grass grew more poorly.[17] This in combination with setback rules, which required all homes to have a 30-foot gap between the structure and the sidewalk meant that the lawn had found a specific place in suburbia.[28] In 1901, the United States Congress allotted $17,000 to the study of the best grasses for lawns, creating the spark for lawn care to become an industry.[30]
After World War II, a surplus of synthetic nitrogen in the United States led to chemical firms such as DuPont seeking to expand the market for fertilizers.[31] The suburban lawn offered an opportunity to market fertilizers, previously only used by farmers, to homeowners. In 1955, DuPont released Uramite, a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer specifically marketed for lawns. The trend continued throughout the 1960s, with chemical firms such as DuPont and Monsanto utilizing television advertising and other forms of advertisement to market pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides.[32] The environmental impacts of this widespread chemical use were noticed as early as the 1960s, but suburban lawns as a source of pollution were largely ignored.[33]
Due to the harmful effects of excessive pesticide use, fertilizer use, climate change and pollution, a movement developed in the late 20th century to require organic lawn management. By the first decade of the 21st century, American homeowners were using ten times more pesticides per acre than farmers, poisoning an estimated 60 to 70 million birds yearly.[34] Lawn mowers are a significant contributor to pollution released into Earth's atmosphere, with a riding lawn mower producing the same amount of pollution in one hour of use as 34 cars.[34]
In recent years,[when?] some municipalities have banned synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and required organic land care techniques be used.[35] There are many locations with organic lawns that require organic landscaping.[citation needed]
Prior to European colonization, the grasses on the East Coast of North America were mostly broom straw, wild rye, and marsh grass. As Europeans moved into the region, it was noted by colonists in New England, more than others, that the grasses of the New World were inferior to those of England and that their livestock seemed to receive less nutrition from it. In fact, once livestock brought overseas from Europe spread throughout the colonies, much of the native grasses of New England disappeared, and an inventory list from the 17th century noted supplies of clover and grass seed from England. New colonists were even urged by their country and companies to bring grass seed with them to North America. By the late 17th century, a new market in imported grass seed had begun in New England.[17]
Much of the new grasses brought by Europeans spread quickly and effectively, often ahead of the colonists. One such species, Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), became the most important pasture grass for the southern colonies.[citation needed]
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is a grass native to Europe or the Middle East. It was likely carried to Midwestern United States in the early 1600s by French missionaries and spread via the waterways to the region around Kentucky. However, it may also have spread across the Appalachian Mountains after an introduction on the east coast.[citation needed]
Farmers at first continued to harvest meadows and marshes composed of indigenous grasses until they became overgrazed. These areas quickly fell to erosion and were overrun with less favorable plant life. Soon, farmers began to purposefully plant new species of grass in these areas, hoping to improve the quality and quantity of hay to provide for their livestock as native species had a lower nutritive value. While Middle Eastern and Europeans species of grass did extremely well on the East Coast of North America, it was a number of grasses from the Mediterranean that dominated the Western seaboard. As cultivated grasses became valued for their nutritional benefits to livestock, farmers relied less and less on natural meadows in the more colonized areas of the country. Eventually even the grasses of the Great Plains were overrun with European species that were more durable to the grazing patterns of imported livestock.[17]
A pivotal factor in the spread of the lawn in America was the passage of legislation in 1938 of the 40-hour work week. Until then, Americans had typically worked half days on Saturdays, leaving little time to focus on their lawns. With this legislation and the housing boom following the Second World War, managed grass spaces became more commonplace.[28] The creation in the early 20th century of country clubs and golf courses completed the rise of lawn culture.[17]
According to study based on satellite observations by Cristina Milesi, NASA Earth System Science, its estimates: "More surface area in the United States is devoted to lawns than to individual irrigated crops such as corn or wheat.... area, covering about 128,000 square kilometers in all."[36]
Lawn monoculture was a reflection of more than an interest in offsetting depreciation, it propagated the homogeneity of the suburb itself. Although lawns had been a recognizable feature in English residences since the 19th century, a revolution in industrialization and monoculture of the lawn since the Second World War fundamentally changed the ecology of the lawn. Money and ideas flowed back from Europe after the U.S. entered WWI, changing the way Americans interacted with themselves and nature, and the industrialization of war hastened the industrialization of pest control.[37] Intensive suburbanization both concentrated and expanded the spread of lawn maintenance which meant increased inputs in not only petrochemicals, fertilizers, and pesticides, but also natural resources like water.[2][17][28]
Lawns became a means of performing class values for the urban middle class, in which the condition of the lawn becomes representative of moral character and social reliability. The social values associated with lawns are promoted and upheld by social pressure, laws, and chemical producers. Social pressure comes from neighbors or homeowner associations who think that the unkempt lawns of neighbors may affect their own property values or create eyesores. Pressures to maintain a lawn are also legal; there are often local or state laws against letting weeds get too tall or letting a lawn space be especially unkempt, punishable by fees or litigation. Chemical producers unwilling to lose business propagate the ideal of a lawn, making it seem unattainable without chemical aid.[12]
Front lawns became standardized in the 1930s when, over time, specific aspects such as grass type and maintenance methods became popular. The lawn-care industry boomed, but the Great Depression of the 1930s and in the period prior to World War II made it difficult to maintain the cultural standards that had become heavily associated with the lawn due to grass seed shortages in Europe, America's main supplier. Still, seed distributors such as Scotts Miracle-Gro Company in the United States encouraged families to continue to maintain their lawns, promoting it as a stress-relieving hobby. During the war itself, homeowners were asked to maintain the appearances of the home front, likely as a show of strength, morale, and solidarity. After World War II, the lawn aesthetic once again became a standard feature of North America, bouncing back from its minor decline in the decades before with a vengeance, particularly as a result of the housing and population boom post-war.[17]
The VA loan in the United States let American ex-servicemen buy homes without providing a down payment, while the Federal Housing Administration offered lender inducements that aided the reduction of down payments for the average American from 30% to as little as 10%. These developments made owning your own home cheaper than renting, further enabling the spread of suburbia and its lawns.[28]
Levittown, New York, was the beginning of the industrial suburb in the 20th century, and by proxy the industrial lawn. Between 1947 and 1951, Abraham Levitt and his sons built more than seventeen thousand homes, each with its own lawn. Abraham Levitt wrote "No single feature of a suburban residential community contributes as much to the charm and beauty of the individual home and the locality as well-kept lawns". Landscaping was one of the most important factors in Levittown's success – and no feature was more prominent than the lawn. The Levitts understood that landscaping could add to the appeal of their developments and claimed that, "increase in values are most often found in neighborhoods where lawns show as green carpets" and that, over the years, "lawns trees and shrubs become more valuable both aesthetically and monetarily".[38] During 1948, the first spring that Levittown had enjoyed, Levitt and Sons fertilized and reseeded all of the lawns free of charge.[28]
The economic recession that began in 2008 has resulted in many communities worldwide to dig up their lawns and plant fruit and vegetable gardens.[citation needed] This has the potential to greatly change cultural values attached to the lawn, as they are increasingly viewed as environmentally and economically unviable in the modern context.[39]
The appearance of the lawn in Australia followed closely after its establishment in North America and parts of Europe. Lawn was established on the so-called "nature strip" (a uniquely Australian term) by the 1920s and was common throughout the developing suburbs of Australia. By the 1950s, the Australian-designed Victa lawn mower was being used by the many people who had turned pastures into lawn and was also being exported to dozens of countries.[40] Prior to the 1970s, all brush and native species were stripped from a development site and replaced with lawns that utilized imported plant species. Since the 1970s there has been an interest in using indigenous species for lawns, especially considering their lower water requirements.[41] Lawns are also established in garden areas as well as used for the surface of sporting fields.[citation needed]
Over time, with consideration to the frequency of droughts in Australia, the movement towards "naturalism", or the use of indigenous plant species in yards, was beneficial. These grasses were more drought resistant than their European counterparts, and many who wished to keep their lawns switched to these alternatives or allowed their green carpets to revert to the indigenous scrub in an effort to reduce the strain on water supplies.[39] However, lawns remain a popular surface and their practical and aesthetically pleasing appearance reduces the use of water-impervious surfaces such as concrete. The growing use of rainwater storage tanks has improved the ability to maintain them.[citation needed]
Following recent droughts,[when?] Australia has seen a change to predominately warm-season turfgrasses, particularly in the southern states like New South Wales and Victoria which are predominately temperate climates within urban regions. The more drought tolerant grasses have been chosen by councils and homeowners for the choice of using less water compared to cool-season turfgrasses like fescue and ryegrass. Mild dormancy seems to be of little concern when high-profile areas can be oversown for short periods or nowadays, turf colourants (fake green) are very popular.[citation needed]
Lawns are a common feature of private gardens, public landscapes and parks in many parts of the world. They are created for aesthetic pleasure, as well as for sports or other outdoor recreational use. Lawns are useful as a playing surface both because they mitigate erosion and dust generated by intensive foot traffic and because they provide a cushion for players in sports such as rugby, football, soccer, cricket, baseball, golf, tennis, field hockey, and lawn bocce.[citation needed]
Lawns and the resulting lawn clipping waste can be used as an ingredient in making compost and is also viewed as fodder, used in the production of lawn clipping silage which is fed to livestock[42][43] as a sustainable feed source.
Lawns need not be, and have not always been, made up of grasses alone. There exist, for instance, moss lawns, clover lawns, thyme lawns, and tapestry lawns (made from diverse forbs). Sedges, low herbs and wildflowers, and other ground covers that can be walked upon are also used.[citation needed]
Thousands of varieties of grasses and grasslike plants are used for lawns, each adapted to specific conditions of precipitation and irrigation, seasonal temperatures, and sun/shade tolerances. Plant hybridizers and botanists are constantly creating and finding improved varieties of the basic species and new ones, often more economical and environmentally sustainable by needing less water, fertilizer, pest and disease treatments, and maintenance. The three basic categories are cool season grasses, warm season grasses, and grass alternatives.[citation needed]
Many different species of grass are currently used, depending on the intended use and the climate. Coarse grasses are used where active sports are played, and finer grasses are used for ornamental lawns for their visual effects. Some grasses are adapted to oceanic climates with cooler summers, and others to tropical and continental climates with hotter summers. Often, a mixture of grass or low plant types is used to form a stronger lawn when one type does better in the warmer seasons and the other in the colder ones. This mixing is taken further by a form of grass breeding which produces what are known as cultivars. A cultivar is a cross-breed of two different varieties of grass and aims to combine certain traits taken from each individual breed. This creates a new strain which can be very specialised, suited to a particular environment, such as low water, low light or low nutrient.[citation needed]
Cool season grasses start growth at 5 °C (41 °F), and grow at their fastest rate when temperatures are between 10 °C (50 °F) and 25 °C (77 °F), in climates that have relatively mild/cool summers, with two periods of rapid growth in the spring and autumn.[44] They retain their color well in extreme cold and typically grow very dense, carpetlike lawns with relatively little thatch.[citation needed]
Warm season grasses only start growth at temperatures above 10 °C (50 °F), and grow fastest when temperatures are between 25 °C (77 °F) and 35 °C (95 °F), with one long growth period over the spring and summer (Huxley 1992). They often go dormant in cooler months, turning shades of tan or brown. Many warm season grasses are quite drought tolerant, and can handle very high summer temperatures, although temperatures below −15 °C (5 °F) can kill most southern ecotype warm season grasses. The northern varieties, such as buffalograss and blue grama, are hardy to 45 °C (113 °F).
Grass seed mixes have been developed to include only grass seed species that grow will in low sunlight conditions. These seed mixes are designed to deal with light shade caused by trees that can create patchiness, or slightly heavier shade that prevents the full growth of grass. Most lawns will experience shade in some shape or form due to surrounding fences, furniture, trees or hedges and these grass seed species' are especially useful in the Northern Hemisphere and Northwestern Europe.[45]
Carex species and cultivars are well represented in the horticulture industry as 'sedge' alternatives for 'grass' in mowed lawns and garden meadows. Both low-growing and spreading ornamental cultivars and native species are used in for sustainable landscaping as low-maintenance and drought-tolerant grass replacements for lawns and garden meadows. Wildland habitat restoration projects and natural landscaping and gardens also use them for 'user-friendly' areas. The J. Paul Getty Museum has used Carex pansa (meadow sedge) and Carex praegracilis (dune sedge) expansively in the Sculpture Gardens in Los Angeles.[46]
Moss lawns do well in shaded areas under trees, and require only about 1% of the water of a traditional grass lawn once established.[48][47][49] Clover lawns do especially well in damp, alkaline soils. Yarrow lawns are drought resistant, can be mowed to form a soft, comfortable turf; common yarrow is native throughout Europe, North America, and parts of Asia, and spreads vegetatively to cover the ground.[50][51][52] Camomile lawns and thyme lawns are fragrant (and native to Europe an North Africa). Soleirolia soleirolii favours shaded, damp spaces (and is often used in tsubo-niwas); it is native to the European side of the Mediterranean, and can be invasive elsewhere.[53]
Other low ground covers suitable for lawns include Corsican mint (native to three mediterranean islands, invasive), Ophiopogon planiscapus (native to Japan),[53] Lippia[54] and lawnleaf,[55] (native to Central America and southern North America),[55][54] purple flowering Mazus (native to East Asia), grey Dymondia (native to South Africa), creeping sedums (various species native to various continents),[54] Cotula species (ditto),[55] and creeping jenny (native to Europe).[54]
![]() |
The examples and perspective in this section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (October 2024)
|
Some plants native to Eastern North America that can be used as alternatives to grass lawns or incorporated into lawns are:[56][57][58][59]
Alternatives to lawns include meadows, drought-tolerant xeriscape gardens, natural landscapes, native plant habitat gardens, paved Spanish courtyard and patio gardens, butterfly gardens, rain gardens, and kitchen gardens. Trees and shrubs in close proximity to lawns provide habitat for birds in traditional, cottage and wildlife gardens.[62][citation needed]
Seasonal lawn establishment and care varies depending on the climate zone and type of lawn grown.[citation needed]
Early autumn, spring, and early summer are the primary seasons to seed, lay sod (turf), plant 'liners', or 'sprig' new lawns, when the soil is warmer and air cooler. Seeding is the least expensive, but may take longer for the lawn to be established. Aerating just before planting/seeding may promote deeper root growth and thicker turf.[63]
Sodding (American English), or turfing (British English), provides an almost instant lawn, and can be undertaken in most temperate climates in any season, but is more expensive and more vulnerable to drought until established. Hydroseeding is a quick, less expensive method of planting large, sloped or hillside landscapes. Some grasses and sedges are available and planted from 'liner' and 4-inch (100 mm) containers, from 'flats', 'plugs' or 'sprigs', and are planted apart to grow together.[citation needed]
![]() Lawn growth, 20-hour time lapse |
Various organic and inorganic or synthetic fertilizers are available, with instant or time-release applications. Pesticides, which includes biological and chemical herbicides, insecticides and fungicides, treating diseases like gray leaf spot, are available. Consideration for their effects on the lawn and garden ecosystem and via runoff and dispersion on the surrounding environment, inform laws constraining their use. For example, the Canadian province of Quebec and over 130 municipalities prohibit the use of synthetic lawn pesticides.[64] The Ontario provincial government promised in September 2007 to also implement a province-wide ban on the cosmetic use of lawn pesticides, for protecting the public. Medical and environmental groups supported such a ban.[65]
On 22 April 2008, the Provincial Government of Ontario announced that it would pass legislation that would prohibit, province-wide, the cosmetic use and sale of lawn and garden pesticides.[66] The Ontario legislation would also echo Massachusetts law requiring pesticide manufacturers to reduce the toxins they use in production.[67] Experts[who?] advise that a healthy lawn contains at least some "weeds" and insects, discouraging indiscriminate use of potentially harmful chemicals.[34]
Sustainable gardening uses organic horticulture methods, such as organic fertilizers, biological pest control, beneficial insects, and companion planting, among other methods, to sustain an attractive lawn in a safe garden. An example of an organic herbicide is corn gluten meal, which releases an 'organic dipeptide' into the soil to inhibit root formation of germinating weed seeds. An example of an organic alternative to insecticide use is applying beneficial nematodes to combat soil-dwelling grubs, such as the larvae of chafer beetles. The Integrated Pest Management approach is a coordinated low impact approach.[68]
Maintaining a rough lawn requires only occasional cutting with a suitable machine, or grazing by animals. Maintaining a smooth and closely cut lawn, be it for aesthetic or practical reasons or because social pressure from neighbors and local municipal ordinances requires it,[69] necessitates more organized and regular treatments. Usually once a week is adequate for maintaining a lawn in most climates. However, in the hot and rainy seasons of regions contained in hardiness zones greater than 8, lawns may need to be maintained up to two times a week.[70]
Low-maintenance alternatives to traditional turfgrass lawns reduce the need for frequent mowing, watering and chemical inputs.[71]
The prevalence of the lawns in films such as Pleasantville (1998) and Edward Scissorhands (1990) alludes to the importance of the lawn as a social mechanism that gives great importance to visual representation of the American suburb as well as its practised culture. It is implied that a neighbor whose lawn is not in pristine condition is morally corrupt, emphasizing the role a well-kept lawn plays in neighborly and community relationships. In both of these films, green space surrounding a house in the suburbs becomes an indicator of moral integrity as well as of social and gender norms – lawn care has long been associated[by whom?] with men. These lawns also reinforce class and societal norms by subtly excluding those who may not have been able to afford a house with a lawn.[72]
The lawn as a reflection of someone's character and the neighborhood at large is not restricted to films; the same theme appears in The Great Gatsby (1925), by American novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald.[73] Character Nick Carraway rents the house next to Gatsby's and fails to maintain his lawn according to West Egg standards. The rift between the two lawns troubles Gatsby to the point that he dispatches his gardener to mow Carraway's grass and thereby establish uniformity.[citation needed]
Most lawn-care equipment over the decades has been advertised to men, and companies have long associated good lawn-care with good citizenship in their marketing campaigns. The appearance of a healthy lawn was meant[by whom?] to imply the health of the man taking care of it; controlled weeds and strict boundaries became a practical application of the desire to control nature, as well as an expression of control over personal lives once working full-time became central to suburban success. Women were encultured over time to view the lawn as part of the household, as an essential furnishing, and to encourage their husbands to maintain a lawn for the family and community reputation.[17]
During World War II (1939–1945), women became the focus of lawn-care companies in the absence of their husbands and sons. These companies promoted lawn care as a necessary means by which women could help support their male family-members and American patriotism as a whole. The image of the lawn changed from focusing on technology and manhood to emphasizing aesthetic pleasure and the health benefits derived from its maintenance; advertisers at lawn care companies assumed that women would not respond positively to images of efficiency and power. The language of these marketing campaigns still intended to imbue the female population with notions of family, motherhood, and the duties of a wife; it has been argued[by whom?] that this was done so that it would be easier for men returning from war to resume the roles which their wives had taken over in their absence. This was especially apparent in the 1950s and 1960s, when lawn-care rhetoric emphasized the lawn as a husband's responsibility and as a pleasurable hobby when he retired.[17]
There are differences in the particulars of lawn maintenance and appearance, such as the length of the grass, species (and therefore its color), and mowing.[41][74]
On average, greater amounts of chemical fertilizer, herbicide and pesticide are used to maintain a given area of lawn than on an equivalent area of cultivated farmland.[75][28] The use of these products causes environmental pollution, disturbance in the lawn ecosystem, and health risks to humans and wildlife.[76]
In response to environmental concerns, organic landscaping and organic lawn management systems have been developed and are mandated in some municipalities and properties. In the United Kingdom, the environmental group Plantlife has encouraged gardeners to refrain from mowing in the month of May to encourage plant diversity and provide nectar for insects.[77]
Other concerns, criticisms, and ordinances regarding lawns arise from wider environmental consequences:
Maintaining a green lawn sometimes requires large amounts of water. While natural rainfall is usually sufficient to maintain a lawn's health in the temperate British Isles- the birthplace of the concept of the lawn- in times of drought hosepipe bans may be implemented by the water suppliers.[84] Conversely, exportation of the lawn ideal to more arid regions (e.g. U.S. Southwest and Australia) strains water supply systems when water supplies are already scarce. This necessitates upgrades to larger, more environmentally invasive equipment to deal with increased demand due to lawn watering. Grass typically goes dormant during periods of cold or heat outside of its preferred temperature ranges; dormancy reduces the grasses' water demand. Most grasses typically recover quite well from a drought, but many property owners become concerned about the brown appearance and increase watering during the summer months. Water in Australia observed 1995 data that up to 90% of the water used in Canberra during summer drought periods was used for watering lawns.[85]
In the United States, 50 to 70% of residential water is used for landscaping, with most used to water lawns.[81] A 2005 NASA study estimated conservatively 128,000 square kilometres (49,000 sq mi; 32,000,000 acres) of irrigated lawn in the US, three times the area of irrigated corn.[86] That translates to about 200 US gallons (760 L; 170 imp gal) of drinking-quality fresh water per person per day is required to keep up United States' lawn surface area.[citation needed]
In 2022, the state of Nevada pass a bill that not only banned the installation of new lawns in the state, but also mandated the removal of any lawn deemed "nonfunctional." This was in response to a years-long drought in the state. [87]
An increased concern from the general public over pesticide and fertilizer use and their associated health risks, combined with the implementation of the legislation, such as the US Food Quality Protection Act, has resulted in the reduced presence of synthetic chemicals, namely pesticides, in urban landscapes such as lawns in the late 20th century.[88] Many of these concerns over the safety and environmental impact of some of the synthetic fertilizers and pesticides has led to their ban by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and many local governments.[76] The use of pesticides and other chemicals to care for lawns has also led to the death of nearly 7 million birds each year, a topic that was central to the novel Silent Spring by the conservationist Rachel Carson.[28]
The use of lawn chemicals made its first appearance in the 18th century through the introduction of "English garden" fads. These types of lawns put precise hedging, clean cut grass, and extravagant plants on display. Following the initial introduction of lawn chemicals, they have still been continually used throughout North America. Because many of the turf-grass species in North America are not native to our ecosystems, they require extensive maintenance. According to the United States Geological Survey, 99% of the urban water samples that were tested contained one or more types of pesticides. In addition to water contamination, chemicals are making their way into houses which can lead to chronic exposure. Currently, standards for pesticide management practices have been put in place through the Food Quality Protection Act.[12]
In the United States, lawn heights are generally maintained by gasoline-powered lawn mowers, which contribute to urban smog during the summer months.[89] The EPA found, in some urban areas, up to 5% of smog was due to small gasoline engines made before 1997, such as are typically used on lawn mowers. Since 1997, the EPA has mandated emissions controls on newer engines in an effort to reduce smog.[90]
A 2010 study seemed to show lawn care inputs were balanced by the carbon sequestration benefits of lawns, and they may not be contributors to anthropogenic global warming.[91][92] Lawns with high maintenance (mowing, irrigation, and leaf blowing) and high fertilization rates have a net emission of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide that have large global warming potential.[93] Lawns that are fertilized, irrigated, and mowed weekly have a lower species diversity.[94]
Replacing turf grass with low-maintenance groundcovers or employing a variety of low-maintenance perennials, trees and shrubs[80] can be a good alternative to traditional lawn spaces, especially in hard-to-grow or hard-to-mow areas, as it can reduce maintenance requirements, associated pollution and offers higher aesthetic and wildlife value.[95][71] Growing a mixed variety of flowering plants instead of turfgrass is sometimes referred to as meadowscaping.[96]
Lawns take up space that could otherwise be used more productively, such as for urban agriculture or home gardening. This is the case in many cities and suburbs in the United States, where open or unused spaces are "not generally a result of a positive decision to leave room for some use, but rather is an expression of a pastoral aesthetic norm that prizes spacious lawns and the zoning restrictions and neighborhood covenants that give these norms the force of law."[97]
In urban and suburban spaces, growing food in front yards and parking strips can not only provide fresh produce but also be a source of neighborhood pride.[98] While converting lawn space into strictly utilitarian farms is not common, incorporating edible plants into front yards with sustainable and aesthetically pleasing design is of growing interest in the United States.[99]
Workers were great, no problem they did what was required, but the representative of your company mislead me on what was to be done, I showed pictures from a competitor landscaper, representative stated he could bet there , , . price, but since it wasn’t in contract, I was left with uncomplicated backyard , working with owner at present, so he’s been outstanding working on this situation, as amount of rock was way off and the owner did increase the amount substantially to finish the front yard. another landscaper under contract to finish the backyard. Would like to add a comment the manger/owner of Las Vegas yard n block stands behind his words and helped me tremendously on finishing up the backyard,
Eric and team did an amazing job. They worked with me for months while I got HOA approval for the project. Once they began working they were great, going over everything in detail and making sure things were perfect. This project included wall repair, stucco and paint repair, paver and turf installation. Extremely satisfied with this experience.
Chris, the design consultant, Dave the production manager, along with their install team Opulent were affordable, upfront with costs, efficient and professional. Attached are some before and after pictures. Highly recommend their services.
My initial contact was with Ray, whom did an excellent job giving me an estimate on what I wanted done in my small yard and walkway., the guys that came out and did the work were superior. They did an excellent job. I’m very pleased with this company. I will highly recommend them to family and friends, and I will be using them in the near future for other little projects.
We recently had a very positive experience with Rock N Block for our fence replacement. The entire process went smoothly and exceeded our expectations. Harvey and his team were incredibly professional and communicative throughout the project providing much-needed assurance and peace of mind. The crew was punctual and maintained a diligent and respectful attitude that made the experience pleasant. The crew finished the project ahead of schedule, and the quality of their work is impressive; our new wall looks great! We recommend Rock N Block for any fencing needs and look forward to working with them again. Thank you, Harvey and crew, for a job well done!
Workers were great, no problem they did what was required, but the representative of your company mislead me on what was to be done, I showed pictures from a competitor landscaper, representative stated he could bet there , , . price, but since it wasn’t in contract, I was left with uncomplicated backyard , working with owner at present, so he’s been outstanding working on this situation, as amount of rock was way off and the owner did increase the amount substantially to finish the front yard. another landscaper under contract to finish the backyard. Would like to add a comment the manger/owner of Las Vegas yard n block stands behind his words and helped me tremendously on finishing up the backyard,
My initial contact was with Ray, whom did an excellent job giving me an estimate on what I wanted done in my small yard and walkway., the guys that came out and did the work were superior. They did an excellent job. I’m very pleased with this company. I will highly recommend them to family and friends, and I will be using them in the near future for other little projects.
Chris, the design consultant, Dave the production manager, along with their install team Opulent were affordable, upfront with costs, efficient and professional. Attached are some before and after pictures. Highly recommend their services.
Eric and team did an amazing job. They worked with me for months while I got HOA approval for the project. Once they began working they were great, going over everything in detail and making sure things were perfect. This project included wall repair, stucco and paint repair, paver and turf installation. Extremely satisfied with this experience.