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Las Vegas : The Basics

The Basics & Population

Las Vegas has been the county seat of Clark County since the formation of the county in 1909. The Census Bureau's official population estimate as of 2005 was 545,147. The city’s Planning and Development Department reported an increase of 41,126 in 2005, for a total population of 575,973. Recent figures place the population for the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which includes all of Clark County, at over 1.6 Million people and the region is one of the fastest growing in the United States.

Las Vegas was ranked as the 29th largest city in the United States in 2000, but recent estimates state the city's population surpassed that of Atlanta, Nashville, Washington, D.C., Louisville, Denver and Boston to place Las Vegas at #22. It is likely it will surpass Milwaukee and possibly a few other cities to reach the top 20 by the 2010 Census.

As of the census of 2000, there were 478,434 people, 176,750 households, and 117,538 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,630.3/km² (4,222.5/mi²). There are 190,724 housing units at an average density of 649.9/km² (1,683.3/mi²).

The racial makeup of the city in 2000 was 69.86% White, 10.36% African American, 0.75% Native American, 4.78% Asian, 0.45% Pacific Islander, 9.75% from other races, and 4.05% from two or more races. 23.61% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race.


Geography

The city is located in an arid basin surrounded by mountains varying in color from pink to rust to gray. As befits a desert, much of the landscape is rocky and dusty. Within the city, however, there are a great deal of lawns, trees, and other greenery. Because of the water resource issues, there is now a movement to encourage xeriscaping instead of lawns. Another part of the water conservation efforts include scheduled watering groups for watering residential landscaping.

Full of sky-toppling towers and neon lights blinking within the night, Las Vegas is quite urbanized. After all, it is considered “Sin City,” with its abundance in casinos, night clubs, and exotic dancers who are also showgirls within the day time. A home to many newly-weds and engaged couples, the city is a rather pretty attraction to many hence the city is always filled with both locals and tourists although the two cannot decipher who is native and who is not.


Climate

Las Vegas' climate is typical of the Mojave Desert, in which it is located, marked with hot summers, mild winters, abundant sunshine year-round, and very little rainfall. High temperatures in the 90s °F are common in the months of May, June, and September and temperatures normally exceed 100 °F (38 °C) most days in the months of July and August, with very low humidity, frequently under 10%.

The hottest temperature ever recorded is 117 °F (47 °C) set twice, on July 19, 2005, at McCarran International Airport and July 24, 1942, at present-day Nellis Air Force Base. Winters are cool and windy, with the majority of Las Vegas' annual 4.49 in (114 mm) of rainfall coming from January to March.

Winter daytime highs are normally around 60 °F (16 °C) and winter nighttime lows are usually around 40 °F (4 °C). The coldest temperature ever recorded is 8 °F (-13 °C) set on January 25, 1937, at present-day Nellis Air Force Base. Showers occur less frequently in the Spring or Autumn. July through September, the Mexican Monsoon often brings enough moisture from the Gulf of California across Mexico and into the southwest to cause afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Although winter snow is usually visible from December to May on the mountains surrounding Las Vegas, it rarely snows in the city itself.


Edumacation

Primary public education is provided by the Clark County School District (CCSD), which is the 5th largest school district in the nation.

Las Vegas does not have any independent four-year university within its city limits. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas is located in Paradise, three miles south of the city limits. The University of Nevada Medical School has a campus near downtown Las Vegas.

Several national colleges, including the University of Phoenix, have campuses in the Las Vegas area. Nevada State College and Touro University Nevada are both located in nearby Henderson. The Community College of Southern Nevada has campuses in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson.


Transportion

Because Las Vegas is such a popular city for tourists, public transportation is not hard to find. The Citizens Area Transit (CAT) Bus is a popular means of public transportation among locals and tourists with various bus routes covering a large portion of the valley. Around 175,000 people use the CAT Bus per weekday. In addition, many may use the Las Vegas Monorail which runs from the MGM Grand Hotel at the south end of the Strip to the Sahara Hotel at the north end.

Buses are quite abundant and there are a plentiful amount of them much like New York City’s. Even for college and high school students who need a ride to either school or somewhere else, there should not be any sort of fiasco in getting there.


Attractions

The major attractions in Las Vegas include the casinos for the majority, especially most famous casinos line Las Vegas Boulevard South, also known as the Las Vegas Strip. There are many casinos in the city's downtown area as well, which was the original focal point of the city's gaming industry in its early days. Several large casinos are also located in the county around the city. Golden Nugget, Four Queens, Plaza Hotel & Casino, and Las Vegas Club are a few of the most notable casinos located downtown on the Fremont Street Experience.

From having a multitude of casinos and clubs nearby, children are more prone to committing activities of crime or slipping into one of these clubs and possibly drinking the night away. This would not be out of the ordinary for Las Vegas as the crime rate is rather high due to the main attractions of the city.

Las Vegas is also one of the largest cities in the United States without a major professional sports league team - if it does not get a team before the 2010 U.S. census it will likely be confirmed as the largest metropolitan area without one. There are many sports activities in the area. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas fields Division I athletic teams and the NCAA football Las Vegas Bowl call Las Vegas home. The Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS), just north of the city hosts NASCAR and other automotive events. Visitors and residents also have many options for boating, golf, hiking, rock climbing. The city has many parks which offer a wide range of activities.