Nevada State Facts & Information

As of 2024, Nevada's population is 3,267,467 people, representing a 1.65% increase from 2023. Nevada's population is heavily concentrated in Clark County (Las Vegas area) with nearly 2.4 million residents, while the Reno area in Washoe County has 500,000 residents.

Joe Lombardo (Republican) is the 31st Governor of Nevada, serving since January 2023. A former law enforcement officer, Lombardo previously served as the 17th sheriff of Clark County from 2015 to 2023. He defeated incumbent governor Steve Sisolak in the 2022 election and served as CSG National President in 2024.

Carson City is Nevada's capital, having served in this role since 1861 as territorial capital and since 1864 as state capital. With a 2020 population of 58,639, Carson City is the 6th most populous city in Nevada. Las Vegas is by far the state's largest city, located in Clark County which contains nearly three-quarters of Nevada's population.

Nevada's economy has a GDP of approximately $269 billion (2024), with real GDP per person ranking 27th among all 50 states. The state saw +1.3% GDP change and +6.0% growth in 2024. Nevada is ranked as a Top 10 business-friendly state and offers quick access to major West Coast markets. Tourism, gaming, and service industries are major economic drivers.

Nevada is nicknamed "The Silver State" because silver has been a major part of Nevada's history and economy. The Comstock Lode was, and still is, the largest silver strike ever discovered on planet Earth. Silver was designated as Nevada's official state metal in 1977, and the state colors are silver and blue. Nevada also has other nicknames including the Sagebrush State and Battle Born State.

Nevada's state bird is the Mountain Bluebird (designated April 4, 1967), which loves Nevada's high-altitude, wide-open spaces. The state flower is Sagebrush (adopted 1917), which can be found throughout Nevada and plays an important role in the ecosystem. The state colors are silver and blue, and silver is the official state metal.

Nevada became the 36th state admitted to the Union on October 31, 1864, during the Civil War. This is why Nevada is sometimes called "Battle Born." Carson City was named the permanent capital of Nevada Territory in 1861, and when Nevada became a state in 1864, Carson City continued to serve as the state capital.

Carson City became Nevada's capital due to historical factors rather than population size. Washoe tribes lived in the area for nearly 4,000 years before white settlers came in 1851. Since before Nevada statehood, Carson City was considered an important hub. In 1861, it was named the permanent capital of Nevada Territory, and when Nevada became a state in 1864, Carson City was voted to continue as the state capital at the constitutional convention.