Moving to Nevada: A Primer for Newcomers

Moving to Nevada?

Before you even begin packing, there is something you need to know:  the “a” in the second syllable sounds like the “a” in apple, not the “a” in taco. Now that you have that down, it is time to get excited, for Nevada is much more than a cluster of slot machines amid a scorched desert. Legal gambling is a huge part of Nevada's story, but there is so much more to the Silver state. Nevada's amazing landscapes and rich history help make it a fantastic place to be. Here's a bit more information on your future home state: 

Nicknames: Official—The Silver State; Unofficial—The Sagebrush State, The Battle Born State.

Population: According to the Census Bureau, 2.6 million people resided in Nevada in 2006; 85% live in the Las Vegas and Reno metropolitan areas.

State motto: “All for our country.”

State flag: The Nevada state flag is solid blue with a white star in the upper left corner. The state name sits below the star, as well as two sprigs of sage. Above the star reads the phrase “Battle Born,” referring to Nevada's statehood during the American Civil War (1864).

State capital: Carson City. Formerly a silver mining boom town, Carson City now has a population of less than 58,000. Located in west-central Nevada, it borders California, which makes Carson City one of only two state capitals to border another state (the other being Trenton, NJ).

State flower: Fittingly, Nevada's flower is sagebrush. A gray-tinged bush with yellow blooms, sagebrush grows in arid climates. These sun-drenched shrubs help define much of Nevada's landscape.

State bird: Mountain bluebird. With their shocking blue plumage, males of this species stand out among the browns and grays of the desert. They inhabit almost all of western North America, and are also the state bird of Idaho.

Climate: You may think of thirsty desert dotted with cow skulls when you think of Nevada, but this is only part of Nevada's physical makeup. Yes, the state's highest recorded temperature was 125 degrees Fahrenheit, but the elevation ranges so much that you can see snow in some parts of the state. In fact, the word “Nevada” is Spanish for snow-covered.

Largest City: Mirage-like with its expansive hotels and bright lights, Las Vegas itself is home to 552, 539 people; 1,777,539 if you include the surrounding area. This area is one of the fastest growing areas in the United States.

Biggest industries: Gaming and tourism reign as Nevada's biggest industries, as you may have guessed, followed by mining. 

Things to do--places to see: Las Vegas is a must, if only for a weekend. The glitzy hotels and casinos are a marvel even if you are just passing through. Yet there is so much more to the Silver State. Further north is Reno, which calls itself “The Biggest Little City in the World.” Yes, there are casinos here, but the surrounding area offers natural beauty you cannot miss. Reno rest at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains as well as Lake Tahoe, a vastly popular destination for outdoor adventurers and those who want to escape city life.

A bit of history: Long before Las Vegas sprouted up, silver and gold was the big draw. Mining plays a huge role in Nevada's history, but, contrary to popular belief, was not the reason that it gained statehood. It was politics. During the Civil War the state was an industrial sympathizer with the North. Eight days before the 1864 presidential election, Nevada was hastily signed into statehood to help secure votes for Abraham Lincoln and a Republican Congress. Mining's decline in the late 1800s made Congress consider revoking Nevada's statehood; the only time in U.S. history this has ever happened. In 1900, discovery of silver at Tonopah revived Nevada's mining industry.

Why the legal gambling?

Gambling was big in mining towns until a nationwide crackdown on unregulated gaming in1909. Later, to compensate for the economic blows the Great Depression brought, gambling was legalized again in 1931. It was intended as only a temporary boost, but legal gaming has become a mainstay of Nevada's economy.

Booming Once Again

If you are moving to Nevada soon, you are in luck. Not only is there abundant natural beauty and endless entertainment, it is also the fastest growing state in the union. Now is the time to become a Nevadan.