Las Vegas, located in Nevada's Mojave Desert, is a global resort city famous for its gambling, entertainment, dining, and nightlife. The city centers around downtown and the Las Vegas Strip, attracting millions of visitors annually. Las Vegas is the most populous city in Nevada and a major economic and cultural hub for the state. As of 2020, the city's population was 641,903, while the metropolitan area reached 2,227,053, ranking it as the 25th most populous city in the United States.
1905: Founding of Las Vegas
Las Vegas was founded in 1905 when 110 acres of land were auctioned near the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.
1905: Founding of Las Vegas
The city of Las Vegas was founded in 1905 when 110 acres of land near the Union Pacific Railroad tracks were put up for auction. This marked the beginning of the city's development.
1909: Record Snowfall in Las Vegas
Las Vegas's largest snowfall on record, an unofficial measurement, was 12 inches, which fell in 1909.
1911: Incorporation of Las Vegas
Las Vegas officially became a city in 1911 after being incorporated this year.
1911: Incorporation of Las Vegas
Las Vegas was officially incorporated as a city in 1911.
1929: First Welcome Arch
Las Vegas installed a welcome arch on Fremont Street in 1929.
July 26, 1931: Record High Temperature within Las Vegas City Limits
The highest temperature ever recorded within the city limits of Las Vegas was 118 degrees Fahrenheit on July 26, 1931.
1931: Removal of the First Welcome Arch
The welcome arch on Fremont Street was removed in 1931.
1931: Early Casino Openings
The Northern Club, now known as La Bayou, opened in 1931. Another significant establishment during this era was Binion's Horseshoe, particularly under Benny Binion's management.
1931: Legalization of Casino Gambling and Relaxed Divorce Laws
1931 marked a turning point for Las Vegas when Nevada legalized casino gambling and shortened the residency requirement for divorce to six weeks, attracting tourism and boosting the city's growth.
1935: Completion of Hoover Dam Construction
The construction of the nearby Hoover Dam, which began in 1931, was finished in 1935. The project brought jobs and residents to Las Vegas, helping it weather the Great Depression.
January 25, 1937: Record Low Temperature in Las Vegas
On January 25, 1937, Las Vegas experienced its lowest temperature ever recorded, reaching 8 degrees Fahrenheit.
1941: Establishment of Las Vegas Army Airfield
The Las Vegas Army Airfield was established in late 1941, later renamed Nellis Air Force Base in 1950.
1950: Renaming of Las Vegas Army Airfield
The Las Vegas Army Airfield, which was established in 1941, was renamed Nellis Air Force Base in 1950. Today, it serves as the home of the United States Air Force Thunderbirds aerobatic team.
1951: Beginning of Nuclear Weapons Testing
Nuclear weapons testing commenced at the Nevada Test Site, located 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, in 1951, earning the city the nickname "Atomic City."
1955: Opening of the Moulin Rouge Hotel
In a historic moment, the Moulin Rouge Hotel opened in 1955, becoming the first racially integrated casino-hotel in Las Vegas.
1959: Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign
The iconic "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign was erected at the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip in 1959.
January 13, 1963: Record Low Temperature in Las Vegas
Las Vegas matched its record low temperature of 8 degrees Fahrenheit on January 13, 1963, previously set in 1937.
1963: Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
Due to the 1963 Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, nuclear tests were moved underground, ending the era of visible mushroom clouds in Las Vegas.
1963: Record Low Temperature in Las Vegas
A temperature of 29 degrees Fahrenheit, close to the freezing point, was recorded in Las Vegas in 1963.
1973: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Formation
In 1973, the Las Vegas Police Department merged with the Clark County Sheriff's Department to form the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
1989: Shift in Resort Development
The Mirage's opening in 1989 marked a trend of major resort development shifting towards the Las Vegas Strip and away from downtown.
1990: Changing Demographics
In 1990, non-Hispanic Whites made up 72.1% of Las Vegas' population.
1990: Start of Population Boom
The population growth of Las Vegas significantly accelerated after the 1960s. Between 1990 and 2000, the city's population nearly doubled.
1995: Opening of the Fremont Street Experience
The Fremont Street Experience, a five-block canopied area featuring a dazzling display of 12.5 million LED lights and a powerful 550,000-watt sound system, opened in downtown Las Vegas in 1995, becoming a popular attraction.
1995: Fremont Street Experience
The Fremont Street Experience, launched in 1995, aimed to revitalize tourism in the downtown area and has since become a popular attraction.
1995: Land Purchase for Downtown Development
The city of Las Vegas acquired 61 acres of land from the Union Pacific Railroad in 1995, aiming to enhance the downtown area's appeal.
1997: Amtrak Desert Wind Service Ends
The Amtrak Desert Wind train service, which ran through Las Vegas using Union Pacific Railroad tracks, ceased operation in 1997.
1997: Amtrak Desert Wind Service Ends
The Amtrak Desert Wind train service, which passed through Las Vegas using the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, was discontinued in 1997.
1997: Allegiant Air Launches
Allegiant Air, a low-cost airline, commenced operations in 1997, with its main hub at Harry Reid International Airport and headquarters in Summerlin.
2000: End of Population Boom
By 2000, Las Vegas had experienced a population boom, nearly doubling its residents between 1990 and 2000.
2002: Replica Welcome Sign
A smaller replica of the Welcome sign was placed within city limits in 2002, at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Fourth Street.
2002: Drought Raises Climate Change Concerns
The 2002 drought brought significant concerns about climate change and its impact on Las Vegas's water resources.
2002: Drought and Water Conservation
Water conservation efforts were implemented in 2002 following a drought in Las Vegas.
2003: High Daily Water Consumption in Las Vegas
In 2003, daily water consumption in Las Vegas reached 314 US gallons per resident.
2004: High Divorce and Marriage Rates
A 2004 study identified Las Vegas as having one of the highest divorce rates in the U.S., partly due to Nevada's easier divorce process, attracting people from other states.
2004: Symphony Park Proposal
In 2004, Mayor Oscar Goodman unveiled plans for Symphony Park, which aimed to incorporate residential, office, and cultural spaces.
July 19, 2005: Record Hot Daily Minimum Temperature in Las Vegas
Las Vegas experienced a record hot daily minimum temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit on July 19, 2005.
2005: World Market Center Las Vegas Opens
Located near Symphony Park, the World Market Center Las Vegas opened in 2005 and hosts furniture and furnishing industry trade shows.
2006: Household Composition
In 2006, 31.9% of households in Las Vegas included children under 18, while 48.3% were married couples and 33.5% were non-families.
December 17, 2008: Snowfall in Las Vegas
On December 17, 2008, Las Vegas experienced another significant snowfall.
2008: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Grant
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded a grant in 2008 to analyze and forecast the growth and environmental impact on Las Vegas through 2019, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability.
March 2010: Strip & Downtown Express Launch
The RTC launched the Strip & Downtown Express bus rapid transit link in March 2010, connecting downtown Las Vegas, the Strip, and the Las Vegas Convention Center with limited stops and frequent service. The RTC discontinued the ACE name shortly after the launch.
2010: Changing Demographics
By 2010, the percentage of non-Hispanic Whites in Las Vegas had decreased to 47.9%, while the Hispanic or Latino population increased to 31.5%.
2010: Low Segregation Levels
In 2010, research showed Las Vegas had the second-lowest level of black-white segregation among the largest 100 U.S. metropolitan areas.
2010: Racial Composition of Las Vegas According to the Census
The 2010 Census provided data on the racial composition of Las Vegas.
2010: Census Data
The 2010 census recorded Las Vegas' population at 583,756, with a population density of 4,222.5 per square mile.
2010: Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health Opens
The Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health began operating within Symphony Park in 2010.
2011: Increased Water Consumption
By 2014, the Las Vegas Valley's water consumption had risen by 1.2 billion US gallons compared to 2011 due to population growth.
2012: The Smith Center for the Performing Arts Opens
The Smith Center for the Performing Arts opened its doors to the public in 2012 within Symphony Park.
2012: "The Year of Downtown"
The year 2012 was dubbed "The Year of Downtown" in Las Vegas as numerous revitalization projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars were launched or completed, signifying a renewed focus on the city's downtown area.
February 2013: New City Hall and Zappos Headquarters
Las Vegas City offices relocated to a new building on Main Street in February 2013. The previous City Hall became home to Zappos.com's corporate headquarters.
July 1, 2013: Record Hot Daily Minimum Temperature in Las Vegas
The record hot daily minimum temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit in Las Vegas was repeated on July 1, 2013.
2013: Clark County School District Enrollment
During the 2013–2014 school year, the Clark County School District had a student population of 314,653 in grades K-12.
2013: DISCOVERY Children's Museum Opens
The DISCOVERY Children's Museum joined the Symphony Park attractions with its opening in 2013.
2013: Zappos.com Relocates Headquarters
Zappos.com, originating in San Francisco, established its headquarters in downtown Las Vegas by 2013.
2014: Water Consumption and Infrastructure Projects
Despite conservation efforts, water use in Las Vegas in 2014 remained high compared to cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, prompting the Southern Nevada Water Authority to pursue infrastructure projects like a tunnel and pumping station at Lake Mead and a pipeline.
2014: Clark County School District Enrollment
During the 2013–2014 school year, the Clark County School District had a student population of 314,653 in grades K-12.
May 2015: Las Vegas North Premium Outlets Expansion
The Las Vegas North Premium Outlets completed its second expansion in May 2015, bringing the total number of stores to 175.
December 25, 2015: Snowfall in Las Vegas
Las Vegas experienced significant snowfall on December 25, 2015.
2015: Reduced Daily Water Consumption in Las Vegas
Due to conservation efforts, Las Vegas successfully reduced daily water consumption to around 205 US gallons per resident by 2015, showcasing progress in water conservation.
2015: Las Vegas Car-Free Households
In 2015, 10.2 percent of city of Las Vegas households were without a car.
2016: Las Vegas Commuting Trends
In 2016, 77.1% of working Las Vegas residents commuted by driving alone, while 11% carpooled, 3.9% used public transportation, and 1.4% walked. 2.3% used other modes of transportation, and 4.3% worked from home. Additionally, 10.5% of Las Vegas households did not own a car, compared to the national average of 8.7%. On average, there were 1.63 cars per household in Las Vegas, while the national average was 1.8 cars per household.
2016: Replica Sign Damaged
The replica welcome sign, erected in 2002, was destroyed when a pickup truck collided with it in 2016.
2017: Vegas Golden Knights Join NHL
The Vegas Golden Knights, an expansion team, debuted in the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2017-2018 season, playing at T-Mobile Arena.
2018: Giant Neon Showgirls Installed
As part of a welcome display, a pair of 25-foot-tall neon showgirls were installed in 2018.
2018: Gateway Arches Approved
The city approved plans for a new landmark in the form of neon arches, called the Gateway Arches, in 2018.
February 18, 2019: Snowfall in Las Vegas
Parts of Las Vegas experienced snowfall on February 18, 2019, receiving about 1 to 2 inches of snow.
2019: End of Environmental Impact Study
The environmental impact study funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2008 concluded in 2019, providing valuable insights into Las Vegas's growth and its effects on the environment.
2019: Tourism in Las Vegas
In 2019, Las Vegas received over 2.9 million visitors, making it the sixth-most visited city in the U.S.
2020: Gateway Arches Completed
Construction on the Gateway Arches, costing $6.5 million, concluded in 2020. The arches are illuminated in various colors at night.
2020: United States Census
In 2020, the United States Census Bureau recorded 641,903 residents in Las Vegas, making it the 25th-most populous city in the United States.
2020: Racial Makeup of Las Vegas According to U.S. Census
The 2020 U.S. Census provided data on the racial makeup of Las Vegas, including Hispanics in the racial counts.
2020: Racial and Ethnic Makeup of Las Vegas According to U.S. Census
The 2020 U.S. Census provided detailed information on the racial and ethnic composition of Las Vegas, separating Hispanics into their own category for a more comprehensive demographic analysis.
2020: Las Vegas Raiders Relocate and Aces Begin Play
The Las Vegas Raiders, an NFL team, relocated from Oakland, California to Allegiant Stadium in 2020. Also, the Las Vegas Aces began playing in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.
July 10, 2021: Record High Temperature in Las Vegas
Las Vegas experienced its highest officially observed temperature of 117 degrees Fahrenheit on July 10, 2021, at Harry Reid International Airport. This marked the fifth time the city reached this record temperature.
2022: New Showgirls and Relocation of Originals
The original neon showgirls were replaced with 50-foot versions in 2022. After being repaired from weather damage, the originals were relocated to the Las Vegas Arts District.
2028: Oakland Athletics Planned Move
The Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB) have plans to relocate to Las Vegas by 2028.