Clark County, Nevada

Clark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nevada. It is the most populous county in Nevada (2005 population estimate 1,710,551), and contains the city of Las Vegas. Las Vegas has been the county seat since the county was created by splitting off a portion of Lincoln County on February 5, 1908. Much of the county was originally part of Pah-Ute County, Arizona Territory before Nevada became a state.

Most people in the Las Vegas Valley area do not make a distinction between the County and the City of Las Vegas, using Las Vegas to describe both.

Clark County is a major tourist destination having 150,000 hotel and motel rooms as of 2005.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 20,955 km² (8,091 mi²). 20,488 km² (7,910 mi²) of it is land and 467 km² (180 mi²) of it (2.23%) is water.

The Colorado River forms the county's southeastern boundary, with Hoover Dam forming Lake Mead along much of its length. Las Vegas is frequently, yet incorrectly labeled a valley. By definition, Greater Las Vegas is a land basin or bowl, surrounded by four mountain ranges, with nearby Mount Charleston being the highest elevation at 11,918 ft, located to the northwest. Other than the forests on Mount Charleston, the geography in Clark County is a desert. Creosote bushes are the main native vegetation, and the mountains are mostly rocky with little vegetation.

Adjacent Counties

Lincoln County, Nevada - north
Nye County, Nevada - west
Inyo County, California - southwest
San Bernardino County, California - south
Mohave County, Arizona - east

Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 1,375,765 people, 512,253 households, and 339,623 families residing in the county. The population density was 67/km² (174/mi²). There were 559,799 housing units at an average density of 27/km² (71/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 71.58% White, 21.96% Hispanic or Latino, 9.08% Black or African American, 5.27% Asian, 0.79% Native American, 0.47% Pacific Islander, 8.61% from other races, and 4.20% from two or more races.

There were 512,253 households out of which 31.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.70% were married couples living together, 11.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.70% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.60% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 32.20% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 10.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 103.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $44,616, and the median income for a family was $50,485. Males had a median income of $35,243 versus $27,077 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,785. About 7.90% of families and 10.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.10% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.

Law and government

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department provides most law enforcement services in the county. Exceptions include agencies that have their own police forces including; UNLV, the Clark County School District, and some other cities like Henderson, Mesquite, Boulder City and North Las Vegas.

Clark County Government is run by the Clark County Commission which consists of 7 members who are elected to serve staggered 4 year terms in biannual nonpartisan elections. After each election, the members elect a Chairperson who runs the Commission Meetings. Actual day to day operations are handled by the County Manager who is hired by the Commission.

The County operates out of the Clark County Government Center located in the City of Las Vegas. The building is unusual in shape, and includes an outdoor amphitheater where concerts and other events are held.

The Regional Justice Center replaced the Clark County Courthouse in 2005, and is located about 3 blocks from downtown Fremont Street, at 200 Lewis Avenue. Marriage licenses are issued at the Clark County Clerk's Marriage License Bureau located on the Clark Street side of the Regional Justice Center. The Marriage License Bureau is open from 8:00 am to Midnight Monday through Thursday, Friday 8:00 am to Midnight Sunday, and is open 24 hours on holidays. See the Clark County Clerk Marriage License Bureau Homepage

The Clark County Detention Center (CCDC) is located another block away at 300 S. Casino Center Blvd. Visitation is by a schedule defined by the housing location of the inmate. Visitors must arrive one hour prior to visitation for check in. Visits are 30 minutes long. Two persons per visit. Each inmate is allowed two visits per week. Valid state or federal issued picture identification is required for all visitors. Persons entering will be searched and checked for warrants (and if needed, arrested). Inmate conversations are monitored since all communications are done via closed-circuit television.

The unincorporated townships also have appointed boards that provide advice to the Clark County Commission.

Clark County Commission

Each Commissioner is elected to represent 1 of 7 districts, designated A-G.

The Commissioners also serve as the Board of the University Medical Center.

Members as of 2005

District	Expires	Commissioner
A	2009	Bruce L. Woodbury
B	2009	Tom Collins
C	2009	Chip Maxfield
D	2009	Yvonne Atkinson Gates
E	2007	Myrna Williams
F	2007	Lynette Boggs McDonald
G	2007	Rory Reid

Regional Agencies

Clark County Regional Flood Control District

The Clark County Regional Flood Control District (CCRFCD) was created in 1985 by the Nevada state legislature allowing Clark County to provide broad solutions to flooding problems.

Clark County School District

Public primary and secondary education is the responsibility of the Clark County School District.

Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada

Operates the Cat Bus and does planning for most major roadways.

Southern Nevada Water Authority

A multi-agency group that manages the water distribution for the Las Vegas valley.

Las Vegas Wash Coordination Committee

The group that manages and protects the Las Vegas Wash.

Since 1999 the group has added more the 15,000 plants to stabilize the wash's banks and restore and expand the wetlands surrounding the wash. As part of the effort to restore the wash to a more natural state, they have also removed more than 500,000 pounds of trash.

Cities and Unincorporated Places (townships)

Incorporated cities

Unincorporated Areas (Census Designated Places) or Townships

Federal land:

Notable government buildings

Clark County Government Center
Regional Justice Center-Opened October 3, 2005.

External links

Clark County, Nevada Government and Services
Clark County Television (County of Clark owned television station with Live Internet Feed)
Clark County School District
Detailed map of Clark County (Census Bureau Map, little street detail) (pdf, 32 Mb)
Photographic virtual tour of Clark County
Clark County Regional Flood Control District

Nevada counties | Clark County, Nevada

Clark County (Nevada) | Comté de Clark (Nevada) | Condado de Clark (Nevada) | Hrabstwo Clark (Nevada)

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