Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

North Las Vegas among nation’s fastest-growing cities

Despite gains in valley’s cities through 2008, downturn could bring growth to a halt

25 Fastest Growing Cities

  • 1 - New Orleans
  • 2 - Round Rock, Texas
  • 3 - Cary, N.C.
  • 4 - Gilbert, Ariz.
  • 5 - McKinney, Texas
  • 6 - Roseville, Calif.
  • 7 - Irvine, Calif.
  • 8 - Raleigh, N.C.
  • 9 - Killeen, Texas
  • 10 - Fort Worth, Texas
  • 11 - Lewisville, Texas
  • 12 - Murfreesboro, Tenn.
  • 13 - Atlanta
  • 14 - Victorville, Calif.
  • 15 - Huntsville, Ala.
  • 16 - Durham, N.C.
  • 17 - Denton, Texas
  • 18 - Arlington, Va.
  • 19 - North Las Vegas
  • 20 - Alexandria, Va.
  • 21 - Thornton, Co.
  • 22 - Aurora, Co.
  • 23 - Charlotte, N.C.
  • 24 - Plano, Texas
  • 25 - Denver
  • -- Based on U.S. Census Bureau estimates for cities over 100,000 in population from July 1, 2007 to July 1, 2008.

A survey last week showed most North Las Vegas residents are happy to live there.

According to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, those residents likely have seen a slough of new neighbors: Numbers released today rank North Las Vegas No. 19 on the list of the 25 fastest-growing large cities.

The list is based on data estimates collected from July 1, 2007, to July 1, 2008, in cities with populations greater than 100,000.

North Las Vegas' population increased 2.9 percent, from 211,109 to 217,253, census records show. No other Nevada cities appear in the ranking.

State demographer Jeff Hardcastle said North Las Vegas' appearance on the list wasn't surprising.

"North Las Vegas has a slightly smaller base population than Henderson or the city of Las Vegas, so you're going to end up with higher growth based on how numbers and percentages work," he said. "It's not terribly surprising that they're growing faster than other parts of the state."

He cited expansion in the Aliante community and nearby housing developments in the northern part of the city as factors in its growth.

While they didn't appear on the list of the fastest-growing, other Clark County cities showed growth as well. Las Vegas grew from 556,260 in 2007 to 558,383 in 2008; Henderson increased from 248,199 in 2007 to 252,064 in 2008, according to census data.

Boulder City showed a slight decrease, with a change from 14,821 to 14,720, census records show. Mesquite showed an increase, from 15,531 to 16,444.

As for what the numbers may look like for next year -- after a year of economic turmoil nationwide and in the Las Vegas Valley -- Hardcastle said continued explosive growth is unlikely.

"Through what I've seen -- from last year's estimate and anecdotal, short-term numbers -- things are at best flat," he said.

He did say it was unlikely that the state would lose population because the economy isn't much better in other parts of the country. He also said between the high cost of moving and the high percentage of people locked into mortgages -- many of them underwater -- many residents will stay put.

"It's a mixed bag right now," he said.

The promise of 12,500 new jobs when MGM Mirage's CityCenter opens in the fall could be a bright spot on the horizon for struggling Nevadans, Hardcastle said.

The 2010 Census will provide a look at the state's demographics that is more detailed than the Census Bureau's yearly estimates. Hardcastle stressed the importance of participating.

"We need people to respond to the Census so we do have a good picture of what's going on," he said.

In neighboring states, Gilbert, Ariz., and the California cities of Roseville, Irvine, and Victorville appear on the list of fastest-growing cities.

New Orleans, which grew 8.2 percent, ranked No. 1. As of July 1, 2008, the population of New Orleans was estimated at 311,853, up from 210,768 in 2006 following Hurricane Katrina. Its numbers are still below the pre-hurricane level of 484,674, based on the 2000 Census, according to Census records.

Four of the 10 fastest-growing cities are in Texas: Red Rock (No. 2), McKinney (No. 5), Killeen (No. 9) and Fort Worth (No. 10).

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy