[PROFILE CLIMB]

do you think it will get to 3 million people, or is there a limit to how big it can get because of so much government land that surrounds Las Vegas?

[Caltovegas]

I think it could get that big but I still think it's way to concentrated with entertainment and tourism. A dent there and Vegas can be toast. Whoever thought Detroit should go the way it did?

[EA]

3.5 million capped by the mountains. Unless they start building high rises.

[BBMW]

^
If it got that far, they will. And the Metro area could probably stretch NW and south, if the BLM will let it.

[Merrily Gather]

I remember reading the water reserves, even though it's recycled, can only support so much population here. I recall at the time we're under half of that for what it can sustain. So I believe Las Vegas can double but they'll have to figure out water to keep growing.

[lkmax]

I think it will easily make it to 3 million. There is still tons of desert land that can be built on. And Vegas has turned into -- and is continuing to turn even more into -- a place that is about a whole lot more than gambling.

[Willy702]

Government land never really matters, BLM always will sell if there is demand for it. Water could be a concern, but never underestimate technology and its ability to do more. Besides when water becomes an issue there won't be any limits for people to move in, there will just be limits for new water service to be installed. So if the place is still desirable more people will just squeeze into the same footprint and have higher per resident counts.

[Concept_Alive]

I agree, water is a concern. But the Las Vegas valley is actually one of the pinnacle water reclaimers in the U.S. They have some amazing technology they've been using for decades. It really makes sense since Vegas is totally a desert. Vegas seems to be getting a consistent flow of California people moving here lately. I think it's all dependent upon the people. California residents are usually better educated than other parts of the country. So when they move here, they might be bringing a higher standard of living to the area. The more new housing that gets developed will also attract more professionals. Vegas still has a real problem with transientness when it comes to the housing market. It got hit really hard back in 08 and barely started to recover in 2014. Vegas is still a service industry town for the most part. So when the economy is at all shakey, Vegas seems to be hit the hardest...and progress usually comes to a complete halt. Vegas is also an "investment town". So you're not going to have a lot of private equity and capital groups building high rise condos here in a bad market.

[FML157]

3M could be done within 10-15 years. My concern would be that state/city/county won't have the tax revenue to support that much population. Thus, governmental services (i.e. infrastructure, public safety, education, health, social services, judicial etc...) would be mediocre due to budget constraints.

[foundapeanut]

Californians bringing small businesses that have with nothing to do with gambling.
Agree about their education levels etc. In fact many that come here, have degrees.

We survived 2008, was tough for some, many moved. But smarter moved in.