Nevada covers a huge chunk of land but most of its people are packed into one corner. As of mid‑2023, the state’s population stood at around 3.19 million.
Which brings us to Clark County, where nearly three‑quarters of Nevadans call home. That’s 2.34 million people in 2023, climbing from 2.27 million in 2020 . The county grew by roughly 3 % since 2020, adding over 70,000 new residents.
In real terms, this means that on the map below, created by Reddit user Ben1152000, the red area covering Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, and the surrounding suburbs contains well over half of the state’s population.
Looking at the Las Vegas metro—officially the Las Vegas–Henderson–North Las Vegas MSA—it held roughly 2.34 million people in mid‑2023. Projections show it could rise to 3.3 million by 2025, and reach 3.94 million by 2043, based on government projections.
So, two million plus just in the metro area today—and that number is pushing higher as the region remains one of the fastest‑growing in the country. Surrounding counties like Nye and Pahrump also contribute to totals when considering the broader statistical region.
Stepping back, it’s a striking reminder: Nevada’s urban footprint in Clark County shapes almost everything—from elections to infrastructure, water use and even wildland conservation. When more than two thirds of a state live in one county that covers just 7 % of its land, planning challenges become unique.
How did this happen? The population of Nevada needs to spread out.