Henderson | USA Nevada

Henderson is the second-largest city in Nevada and a major suburban-industrial hub in the Las Vegas Valley. Situated in the southeastern end of the valley, it is consistently ranked among the safest large cities in the United States and has transitioned from a World War II industrial town into an affluent residential and technological center.

Historical Timeline

1941: Founded as Basic Townsite to house 13,000 workers of the Basic Magnesium Plant, which supplied "miracle metal" (magnesium) for the WWII effort.

1953: Officially incorporated to avoid being sold as war surplus property.

1963: President John F. Kennedy visited, famously calling it a "City of Destiny."

1988: The PEPCON plant explosion, a massive industrial disaster involving rocket fuel, led to the shifting of heavy industry away from residential areas.

2026: Henderson is now a primary hub for professional sports headquarters (Las Vegas Raiders and Vegas Knight Hawks) and high-end luxury development.

Demographics & Population

The estimated 2026 population is 359,059, reflecting a growth rate of over 3% annually.

Composition: 64.7% White, 18.2% Hispanic/Latino, 9.5% Asian, and 6.2% Black or African American.

Economics: Median household income is $88,654, significantly higher than the Nevada state average. The poverty rate is low at 8.4%.

Median Age: 42.5 years, representing a more established demographic compared to Las Vegas.

Urban Layout & Key Districts

Green Valley: One of the nation's first major master-planned communities, known for high-end retail at The District at GVR.

Anthem / Seven Hills: Affluent hillside communities offering panoramic views of the Las Vegas Strip.

Cadence: A 2,200-acre "smart city" master-planned community currently undergoing rapid expansion in 2026.

Water Street District: The historic downtown core, recently revitalized with the Lifeguard Arena and local breweries.

Lake Las Vegas: A Mediterranean-style resort community centered around a 320-acre man-made lake.

Top Landmarks & Attractions

Lion Habitat Ranch: A sanctuary for lions formerly featured at the MGM Grand, along with ostriches and giraffes.

Ethel M Chocolate Factory & Cactus Garden: Features a botanical garden with over 300 species of cacti and a viewing aisle for chocolate production.

Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area: Protects over 1,700 ancient petroglyphs within its rugged volcanic landscape.

Clark County Museum: A 30-acre site featuring a "Heritage Street" with historic homes relocated from across the county.

Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve: A 140-acre sanctuary home to thousands of migratory birds and native desert species.

M Resort Spa Casino: A boutique luxury resort that serves as the official team headquarters of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Highways: Served by I-11 (the future Phoenix-to-Vegas link), I-215 (the Beltway), and US-93/95.

Aviation: Henderson Executive Airport (HND) serves as the primary general aviation reliever for Harry Reid International.

2026 Projects: The West Henderson Fieldhouse, a $70M multi-sport complex, is scheduled for completion in late 2026. Infrastructure investment is currently prioritized for road widening in the high-growth West Henderson corridor.

Safety & Environmental Alerts (Jan 26, 2026)

Conditions: Partly sunny and mild. Current temperature at Henderson Executive Airport is 14°C (58°F).

Wind: Light SSE winds at 9 mph; no wind advisories are currently active for the Eagle Valley.

Air Quality: Good (AQI 28).

Water Alert: Mandatory winter watering restrictions are in effect; landscape irrigation is limited to one assigned day per week.

Digital & Financial Infrastructure

Henderson is a growing center for financial services, with over 6,600 employees in the sector. The US Dollar (USD) is the currency. Nevada has no state income tax. Sales tax is 8.375%.

Local Cost Index

1 Espresso (Water Street): $4.00 – $5.50

1 Standard Lunch (Green Valley): $18.00 – $30.00

Median Home Value: $465,000 – $510,000

Rent: Median gross rent is approximately $1,750.

Facts & Legends

Henderson was once the world's largest producer of magnesium. A verified fact: The city's magnesium production during WWII was so vital that it consumed 25% of the total power generated by the Hoover Dam. A local legend involves the "Jericho Heights" site, where some claim that early dam-era workers buried a "time capsule" of 1930s artifacts beneath what is now a residential development, though its location remains unknown.