Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
Las Vegas, Nevada
State Nevada
City Las Vegas
County1 Clark
City Population (2005)2 538,653 22.6% of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) 24 (of top 50 in U.S.)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 24 (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 1
City Size Classification - Population Large
City Size Classification - Population Density Medium Low Density
State Capitol City Carson City
State Population (2005)2 2,381,281
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) Oscar Goodman
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) 702-229-6241
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Democrat
Next General Mayoral Election Tuesday, April 3, 2007
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06  Yes
State Governor Name Jim Gibbons
State/Governor Website http://www.nv.gov/
State/Governor Contact Information 775-684-5670
State/Governor Party Affiliation Republican
State Governor Current Term Ends January 1, 2011
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Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.24    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 15.4%    
     Disability Status 10.9% 5  
     Emphysema 1.15% 29  
     Cardiovascular Disease 23.41% 28  
     Diabetes 4.90% 27  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.49% 19  
     Adult Asthma 7.18% 8  
     Adult Obesity 19.1%   16
     People Without Health Insurance 18.1%   43
     Age: Children under 5 years 7.6% 41  
     Age: 65 years and over 12.6% 59  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 18.0% 25  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 19.3% 27  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 48.1% 26  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) 5.8% 8  
     Individuals Below Poverty 11.6% 11  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 15.4% 19  
     Free or Reduced Lunch 26.3% 7  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 30.4% 49  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score) 2.3    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 6.4 (of 51) 4  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 1,008,643 pounds   5
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 5,742,810 pounds 12
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 80,190 pounds 4
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 18,980,958 pounds 5
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 22,135,342 pounds 4
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 10.9 grams 14
Number of Superfund Sites in County 0 sites 1  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 2.132 tons per person 51
Recycling Rate (1997) 15.0% 40
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) 3,744,298 tons 22
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) 1.6 tons/person 44
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 722,115 tons 28
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 19.3% 29
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) 0.0% 36
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) -25.0% 4
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) 28.7% 8
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score)    2.7***    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 49,200 tons   15
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 44,900 tons   17
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 23,783,600 tons   15
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 550.0 pounds   13
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) 6.7 days 33  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 2.2 PM2.5 36  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) 11.0 PM2.5 21  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) 6.7 days 38  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) 1.5 PM2.5 36  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) 9.3 PM2.5 10  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) 5 ppm 57  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) 0.022 ppm 43  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) 46 ug/m3 59  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) 0.002 ppm 8  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) 16 days 36  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score)    2.9***    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade (Not Available) ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade (Not Available) ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade (Not Available) ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name Las Vegas Wash ---  
# of Units in Watershed 2 units 63  
# of Assessed Watershed Units 2 units 61  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units 0 units 1  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened 0.0% 1  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed 0.0% 1  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 4.13 inches 72  
Water Area Total, square miles 761 square miles 51  
Water Area Inland, square miles 761 square miles 44  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 0 square miles 35  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 0 square miles 10  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station Reno ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years 56 years 33  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual 51 days 55  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station Reno ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years 54 years 37  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) 24.3 inches 24  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 2,300,000,000 gallons/day 60  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 1,480,000,000 gallons/day 25  
Ground water, gallons/day 896,000,000 gallons/day 39  
Surface water, gallons/day 1,400,000,000 gallons/day 59  
Irrigation, gallons/day 1,640,000,000 gallons/day 34  
Public Supply, gallons/day 479,000,000 gallons/day 51  
Industrial, gallons/day 95,000,000 gallons/day 56  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 27,000,000 gallons/day 67  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 1,340,000,000 gallons/day 35  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier Las Vegas Valley Water District ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 1,115,500 people 15  
Year(s) Included in Summary 1998-2003 ---  
Total Contaminants Detected 37 contaminants 60  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 6 contaminants 58  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected 8 contaminants 60  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected 9 contaminants 59  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 1 contaminant 32  
Industrial Pollutants Detected 23 contaminants 58  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 43  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected 13 contaminants 60  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits 4 contaminants 39  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected 19 contaminants 60  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 3 contaminants 60  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water 37 contaminants 60  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits 6 contaminants 58  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier 203 contaminants 3  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water 73 contaminants ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested 154 contaminants 3  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested 49 contaminants 3  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 9 violations 69  
Health Violations 1 violation 54  
Monitoring Violations 8 violations 69  
Reporting Violations 0 violations 1  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score) 2.8    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 4,222.5 people per square mile 23  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 1,683.3 housing units per square mile 25  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 25.4 minutes 49  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 23.3 minutes 45  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 15.1% 23  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 4.8% 30  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 2.6% 45  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 2.4% 49  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 109.3 53  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 51.3 MV registrations   3
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) 86.6%   47
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 26.2 MV registrations   2
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.82 MV registrations   3
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 33,977 miles   12
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 0.070%   3
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 16.9%   30
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.02 miles   27
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 27.80 miles   35
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $807,000,000   13
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $23,751 per mile   26
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 66.7%   37
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) 16.0 hours per person 14  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) $279 per person 16  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) $380,000,000 26  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) 11 gallons per person 18  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $44,737 15  
Median Household Income (2000) $44,069 11  
Per capita income (2004) $24,787 19  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $22,060 25  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 8.8% 12  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 11.9% 19  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 11.6% 11  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 2.5% 8  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 15.4% 19  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) 15,867 people 25  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 3.9% 10  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 5.8% 8  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 4.4% 41  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 7.0% 45  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) -12.9% 8  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) -20.7% 9  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) Same as Federal ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) $5.15 per hour 28  
EDUCATION
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 95,591 kids (4.0% of total pop.) 28  
Largest School District Enrollment 231,655 kids (9.7% of total pop.) 5  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch 26.3% 7  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 51.9% 44  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 80.7% 45  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 18.1% 68  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 18% 25  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Behind the Curve   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade B   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Above Average   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Above Average   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 206,098 units 30  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 38.9% 56  
Cost of Living: Housing 183.0 59  
Cost of Living: Utilities 83.0 8  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 99.2 31  
Cost of Living: Overall 132.0 58  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 55.60%   44
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 37.80%   48
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 51.20%   46
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 19.6%   51
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 4,961.5 incidents per 100,000 people 17  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 694.8 incidents per 100,000 people 27  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 4,266.7 incidents per 100,000 people 17  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 5,608.8 incidents per 100,000 people 22  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score) 3.2    
Average # of Parks, per square mile 0.4 parks per square mile 41  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile 7.1 park acres per city square mile 43  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres 11.3 acres 26  
Parkland as % of City Area 7.5% 27  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident $122 per resident 37  
Total City Tree Canopy % 1.3% 56  
Total City Urbanized Area % 40.5% 9  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users No ---  
Disability Advisory Committees Yes ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks Yes ---  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score)    3.0***    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.49% 19
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 7.18% 8
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 3.04% 26
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 1.15% 29
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 23.41% 28
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 4.90% 27  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 19.1% 16
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) (Not Available) (Not Available)
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 20%-24% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 12.0% 27
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 6.0% 13
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 202.6 37
Cost of Living: Health 113.2 48  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 18.9% 46
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 18.1% 43
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 -4.2% 14
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 -0.8% 6
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 1 farm 65
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 3 markets 55
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 1 restaurant 28
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 0 grocery stores 54
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 0 other sources 57
Cost of Living: Food 110.5 54
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 75.8% 36
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 54.2% 69
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score) 2.9    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) Yes ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 1 program   13
Net Metering Net Metering Offered by only one or more Individual Utilities   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit 30 kW   19
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit 30 kW   26
Completed Climate Action Plans No State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries No   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds Funds support Energy Effeciency   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 20%   4
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards 2015   8
States with Green Pricing Programs None   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems Yes   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol None   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes State Codes with ECPA Compliance   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes 1999 ASHRAE or Later (ECPA Compliant)   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings None   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) No ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) 8.5%   15
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 53 years 22
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 69% 9
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 6.6 mph 58
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 5.6 mph 59
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 7.2 mph 45
Heating Degree Days 5,674 days 39
Cooling Degree Days 508 days 12
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) 35 years 39
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) 69% 8
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) 32% 4
Elevation, feet 2,001 feet 63
 
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 538,653 24 (of 72 in EDN study) 22.6% of state population
City Population (2000) 478,434 32 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 2,381,281 35 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region West ---  
EPA Region 9 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 113.0 square miles 40 0.1% of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 109,806 square miles 7  
Watershed Name Las Vegas Wash ---  
Elevation, feet 2,001 ft. (608.6 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 47.0°F (8.3°C) 17
Average Daily Temperature - July 91.2°F (32.9°C) 70  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 35.5 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 74.6% 34  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 12.6% 13  
Under 5 years of age 40,513 kids (7.6% of total pop.) 26  
One Race-White % (2005) 74.3% 18  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 25.7% 55  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 28.6% 20  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 30.4% 24  
Largest School District Name Clark County Schools District ---  
 
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1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
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© 2006 Earth Day Network