Table of Contents Introduction to Our City . .1 Las Vegas Cost of Living . .3 Employment . .5 Schools . .6 Libraries . .8 Hospitals . .9 Moving Tips . .10 Important Numbers . .12 Transportation . .13 Getting Involved . .14 Seniors . .16 What to Do in Las Vegas . .17 Golf Courses . .21 Las Vegas Websites . .22 Las Vegas Communities . .23 Shopping . .24 Getting to Know Nevada . .25 Map of Las Vegas . .27 “It is my pleasure to provide you with information on Las Vegas, Nevada - the Diamond in the Desert.” Introduction to Our City Las Vegas and the Metropolitan Area he City of Las Vegas covers a land area of 83.1 square miles. In addition to Las Vegas, the city’s metropolitan region includes North Las Vegas, TBoulder City, Henderson, Mesquite and a large number of unincorporated communities. The downtown area of Las Vegas, known as Glitter Gulch, is characterized by long-established casinos. It is the site of the Fremont Street Experience, a renovation project completed in 1995, designed to revitalize the downtown area and attract more people to the street’s casinos. Covering a five-block stretch of Fremont Street, this section is a covered pedestrian mall where thousands of lights play out animated scenes overhead. In addition to the casinos and attractions downtown, more are located on The Strip, a 4-mile neon-lined portion of Las Vegas Boulevard, located slightly south of downtown. Some of the extravagant casinos on The Strip play on epic Hollywood themes, such as the Treasure Island Casino, while others advertise attractions, such as an Egyptian pyramid, a medieval castle, or an erupting volcano. Ever-grander casinos open each year attracting patrons with such draws as replicas of New York City landmarks or roller-coasters atop towers. Outside the city lies Hoover Dam, a massive concrete dam that was completed in 1936 as part of a federally funded water works project. Population Statistics The population of Las Vegas increased markedly in recent decades, rising from 164,674 in 1980 to 258,295 in 1990. Increasingly, Las Vegas is home to people who have left California for Nevada. California migrants constitute about one-third of newcomers to Las Vegas and contribute to the growth in home construction, landscaping, residential security, and light manufacturing in the increasingly varied Vegas economy. The growth of the Las Vegas metropolitan region was the fastest in the nation in the 1990’s, increasing 83 percent between 1990 and 2000. The population of the region jumped from Month High Low 528,000 in 1980 to 853,000 in 1990. By 2002 the population reached January 57 34 1,620,748. February 63 39 March 69 44 Climate April 78 51 May 88 60 While it is hot in the summer, Las Vegas has one of the best climates in the United States. Our summer heat is easier to deal with than the summer heat June 100 69 in most other places including parts of the midwest, east and south. Las Vegas July 106 76 enjoys a low annual humidity with 310 days of sunshine (85%) and a low August 103 74 average rainfall of just 4.13 inches. Since this is a “night-time” 24-hour city, September 95 66 the warm, dry summer nights are outstanding for visitors and locals. October 82 54 November 67 43 Listed to the right are the average daily high and low temperatures by month ² December 58 34 Las Vegas Average Temperatures 1 to Our City Economy Las Vegas bills itself as the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” with tourism, gaming, and entertainment representing a large portion of the city’s revenue. In addition to its renowned casinos, Las Vegas attracts visitors to its outdoor shows, including simulated volcanic eruptions, pirate duels on artificial lakes, and laser cannon displays. Indoor casino shows with world-famous entertainers, are also popular. Annual events include the National Finals Rodeo and the Las Vegas Motor Speedway opened in 1996. The federal government is also a major presence in Las Vegas. Nellis Air Force Base is the city’s largest single employer. In addition, there are a number of military bases headquartered nearby, and a permanent nuclear waste site at Yucca Mountain has been approved. Las Vegas History Las Vegas was an important stop along the Old Spanish Trail between Santa Fe, New Mexico and southern California for much of the 19th century. The oasis enabled Spanish traders to shorten their route to Los Angeles by cutting directly across the desert. Descriptions of the lush valley, made in 1829 and widely circulated, generated much interest. In 1844 explorer John C. Fremont camped in the Las Vegas Valley and described the fertile landscape in his journals. Missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormon Church) began an intermittent settlement of the Las Vegas Valley in 1855. This settlement served as a link to California and the Pacific Ocean. The coming of the railroad in 1905 stabilized the Las Vegas Valley, and an era of slow growth ensued. In the early 1900s Nevada passed laws allowing divorce after only six months’ residency in the state. By 1931 the requirement was reduced to six weeks, and Las Vegas gained a reputation as an easy place to get a divorce. Population growth accelerated in the 1930s with two innovations. In 1931 the Bureau of Reclamation started construction of Boulder (later Hoover) Dam on the nearby Colorado River. It was the largest dam in the world at that time. Dam construction brought job, growth, city development, and major federal funds to Las Vegas. That same year, the State of Nevada legalized gambling, facilitating the modern era of Las Vegas, which began with the construction of the Flamingo Casino by gangster Bugsy Siegel in 1945. Other lavish casinos opened soon after, most of which were influenced or owned by criminals. Hotel and motel construction boomed after the war, with showy new casinos being built. A trend began toward huge resorts and family-oriented theme parks. Las Vegas now has several huge hotels, including the MGM Grand Hotel and Theme Park, which opened in 1993 as the largest hotel in the world. These hotels and resorts play a vital role in attracting more than 29 million guests to the city each year. 2 Las Vegas Cost of Living Business MAJOR TAX RATES IN NEVADA Corporate Income . .none The 2004 quarterly statistics are quite remarkable. The first Estate Fees . .Based on value quarter 2004 ended with 7,076 recorded new home sales, which Gift/Inheritance . .none was a year to year increase of 36.4 percent. If we compare the Franchise . .none figures from the first quarter of 2004 with those from the first Incorporation Fees . .Graduated fees Based on total shares quarter of 2000 it represents a 50 percent change. Max, not to exceed $25,000 Intangible . .none The new home permits ended the first quarter with 9,149 new Inventory . .none home permits. This represents a change from the first quarter of Personal income . .none 2000 of 71 percent. Sales . .6.50-7.25% Property . .35% (full value x 35% x mil levy) The following graph illustrates the 1st quarter figures for recorded resales since 2000. Pretty astounding. Year to year the Unemployment Ins. .3% to 5.4% Depending on experience rating first quarter 2004 sum is an increase of 55 percent. on first $13,300 Workers Compensation . .Varies by Occupation; based on loss experience Unitary . .none For more information on taxes: Commission on Economic Development: 775-687-4325 Department of Taxation Quarterly Recorded Resales Excerpts from: “The Las Vegas Housing Marketing Letter” - April 18, 2004 A monthly publication of Home Builders Research, Inc., call 645-4200 3 Cost of Living Composite Groceries Housing Utilities Transportation Health Index Care Las Vegas, NV 97.5 115.3 84.3 104.6 92.7 104.8 Albuquerque, NM 99.7 96.8 94.9 97.5 100.9 98.2 Denver, CO 102.9 105.5 109.2 75.2 109.5 109.1 Los Angeles, CA 135.2 109.6 199.9 110.6 112.9 112.1 Phoenix, AZ 96.2 102.0 84.6 96.8 107.2 111.2 Reno, NV 105.7 103.3 100.5 124.3 114.5 105.0 Sacramento, CA 124.6 131.0 127.1 133.5 118.7 149.7 San Diego, CA 137.8 125.4 194.8 79.8 121.9 133.3 Composite Index: This measures living cost differences among all urban areas. The relative price levels for all participating areas, both metropolitan and non-metropolitan, equals 100, which is the national average. Each area’s index is read as a percentage of the average for all areas. Grocery Items: Includes meats, dairy products, produce, bakery products, tobacco, miscellaneous. Housing: Apartment rent for 950 sq. ft.; purchase price of 1800 sq. ft. house, monthly principal. Utilities: Three items: electrical power, other energy sources, telephone. Transportation: Includes commuter fare, auto maintenance, and gasoline. Ground T-Bone Sugar 1/2 Gal Dozen Bread Coffee Burger Pizza Gas Movie Beef Milk Eggs Las Vegas, NV $1.67 $7.00 $1.75 $1.68 $1.33 $1.03 $3.08 $2.33 $9.84 $1.52 $8.35 Albuquerque, NM 1.29 6.35 1.73 1.79 .91 .79 2.73 2.29 8.99 1.30 8.42 Denver, CO 1.70 7.29 1.69 2.02 1.17 .94 2.96 2.35 9.29 1.38 7.85 Los Angeles, CA 1.85 7.88 1.79 2.43 1.78 1.06 3.42 2.34 10.29 1.69 9.20 Phoenix, AZ 1.62 6.83 1.62 1.47 .96 1.03 2.88 2.21 9.29 1.46 7.55 Reno, NV 1.69 7.09 1.66 1.55 .92 1.27 2.78 2.17 9.99 1.60 8.25 Sacramento, CA 2.05 7.56 2.02 2.09 2.27 1.63 3.75 2.55 10.07 1.63 8.75 San Diego, CA 2.22 7.49 2.15 2.42 1.99 1.70 3.49 2.50 10.06 1.68 8.50 4 Employment Employment Opportunities in Las Vegas n a Forbes Magazine study, Las Vegas ranked sixth of 25 cities likely to have the country’s highest employment growth over the next five years.