Founded: 1941 (incorporated April 16, 1953)
Head Official: Mayor Jim Gibson (D) (since 1997)
City Population
1980: 24,363
1990: 62,942
2000: 175,381
2003 estimate: 214,852
Percent change, 1990–2000: 169.4%
U.S. rank in 2000: 118th (State rank: 2nd)
Metropolitan Area Population (part of Las Vegas MSA)
1980: 528,000
1990: 852,737
2000: 1,563,282
Percent change, 1990–2000: 83.3%
U.S. rank in 1980: 72nd
U.S. rank in 1990: 53rd
U.S. rank in 2000: 32nd
Area: 80 square miles (2000)
Elevation: 1,940 feet above sea level
Average Annual Temperature: 68.0° F
Average Annual Precipitation: 4.5 inches of rain
Major Economic Sectors: services, hospitality, retail, goods, government, construction
Unemployment Rate: 4.2% (Las Vegas-Paradise; January 2005)
Per Capita Income: $26,815 (1999)
2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 81,627 (Las Vegas MSA)
Major Colleges and Universities: Nevada State College; University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Community College of Southern Nevada
Daily Newspaper: Las Vegas Review Journal