Henderson, Nevada, is a city in Clark County, approximately 16 miles (26 km) southeast of downtown Las Vegas. Henderson has an estimated population of 337,305 as of July 2023, making it the second-most populous city in Nevada after Las Vegas.[3]
Henderson is notable for its extensive system of outdoor recreation facilities, including over 220 miles (354 km) of trails and 71 parks, ranking 23rd nationally in a scoring of best municipal park systems by the Trust for Public Land.[6][7] The city also boasts Green Valley, the first master-planned community in Southern Nevada, which set a precedent for subsequent urban planning in the region.[8]
Incorporated in 1953, Henderson was originally known for its role in magnesium production during World War II.[9] While the magnesium industry has since declined, the city has grown into a more mature, diverse community more reflective of the broader Las Vegas metropolitan area.[10]
The township of Henderson first emerged in the 1940s during World War II with the building of the Basic Magnesium Plant. Henderson quickly became the main supplier of magnesium in the United States, which was called the "miracle metal" of World War II.[11] The plant supplied the US War Department with magnesium for incendiary munition casings and airplane engines, frames, and other parts. A quarter of all US wartime magnesium came from the Henderson Plant to strengthen aluminum, using 25% of Hoover Dam's power to separate the metal from its ore by electrolysis.[12]
Although "born in America's defense", Henderson's future after World War II was uncertain. In 1947, magnesium production was no longer necessary for defense, and most of the Black Mountain Industrial (BMI) Complex's 14,000 employees moved away. Enrollment in the school system was reduced by two thirds, and well over half the townsite houses, built to house plant workers, became vacant. In 1947, the United States War Asset Administration offered Henderson for sale as war surplus property.[13]
With the help of local industry, Henderson was incorporated on April 16, 1953, as the City of Henderson. On May 23, 1953, Henderson, with its population of 7,410, elected Dr. Jim French as the first mayor. Originally only about 13 square miles (34 km2) in size, the city quickly began to grow, reaching over 100 square miles (260 km2) in size in 2022.[14]
On May 4, 1988, the Pacific Engineering and Production Company of Nevada (PEPCON) chemical plant experienced a catastrophic fire and series of explosions. The facility was one of only two in the United States producing ammonium perchlorate, a key component in solid rocket fuel.[15]
The disaster resulted in two fatalities, injured over 300 individuals, and caused extensive damage throughout the Las Vegas Valley.[16] The explosions were so powerful that they registered seismic activity equivalent to a 3.5 magnitude earthquake and were felt up to 10 miles away.[15]
The incident led to significant changes in industrial safety regulations and emergency response protocols in the region.[17] In the aftermath, PEPCON ceased operations in Henderson, and the site was eventually redeveloped for commercial use.[15]
The city is in the Mojave Desert with wildlife and vegetation typical of the Mojave. The mountains that surround Henderson mostly have gentle slopes. The McCullough Range is closest to the city; most of this range is covered by black rocks from a volcanic explosion millions of years ago. These mountains reach an average height of about 3,800 feet (1,200 m). The landscape consists of the desert; the only water in the city is found in washes like Duck Creek.
Residential neighborhoods in Henderson include Anthem, Anthem Country Club, Ascaya, Black Mountain Vistas, Cadence, Calico Ridge, Champion Village, The Fountains, Grand Legacy, Green Valley, Green Valley Estates, Green Valley Ranch, Hillsboro Heights, Inspirada, Lake Las Vegas, MacDonald Highlands, MacDonald Ranch, Madeira Canyon, Club at Madeira Canyon, Roma Hills, Seven Hills, Sun City Anthem, Sun City MacDonald Ranch, Tuscany Village, and Whitney Ranch.
Climate
Henderson is classified as having a hot desert climate (BWh) in the Köppen climate classification. It has mild winters and hot summers. Snow can occasionally fall in the winter. The monsoon can bring storms in the summer, which can cause flash flooding and thunderstorms. The hottest month is July and the coldest month is December. On average there are 292 clear days per year.[20][failed verification]
Henderson, Nevada – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
According to the 2000 census, there were 175,381 people, 66,331 households, and 47,095 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,200.8 inhabitants per square mile (849.7/km2). There were 71,149 housing units at an average density of 892.8 per square mile (344.7/km2). The city's racial makeup was 80.49% White, 3.76% African American, 0.70% Native American, 3.98% Asian, 0.42% Pacific Islander, 3.16% from other races, and 3.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.71% of the population.
There were 66,331 households, out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.1% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 32.5% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age for the city was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.4 males.
The city's median household income was $63,830, and the median family income was $74,120. The per capita income for the city was $33,238. The Henderson zip code 89012 where MacDonald Highlands is located, has the 7th highest per-capita income in the United States at $148,899. About 3.9% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.[27]
Economy
In July 2020, Amazon announced the opening of a new 600,000-square-foot (56,000 m2) facility in Henderson.[28]
Top employers
According to the city's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, fiscal year ending June 30, 2016,[29] the city's largest employers are:
An increasing number of major shopping malls, movie theater complexes, concert venues, restaurants and casino resorts offer residents a variety of choices for leisure time in Henderson. The city also sits a few miles southeast of Las Vegas and is not too far from the world-famous Las Vegas Strip. "Shakespeare in the Park" celebrated its tenth anniversary in 1996, a testament to Henderson's long-standing support for the arts and cultural programs. The city also boasts the largest recreational facility – the Henderson Multigenerational Facility – in Nevada as well as Nevada's only scenic Bird Preserve. The city supports a variety of other cultural events, many of which are held at the outdoor amphitheater, the largest one of its kind in Nevada.
Film history
The documentary Real CSI featured the Henderson Police Department (HPD) Crime Scene Analysts/Investigators.
Henderson has more than 37 miles (60 km) of trails.[37]
Government
The city received its charter from the Nevada State Legislature in 1953, formally incorporating the city with a council/manager form of government.
Henderson is divided into four wards. A mayor and four council members are elected citywide, but no more than one council member are allowed to reside in each ward.
Lorna Kesterson was elected as Henderson's first female mayor, serving two terms until 1993.[38][39]
In 2013, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced it had reached a cooperative settlement agreement with the city of Henderson under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The DOJ received complaints by individuals who are deaf that officers for the city of Henderson did not provide them with qualified sign language interpreters and other auxiliary aids and services when needed for effective communication. One of the complainants was arrested and detained for two days in the Henderson detention facility, while the other was an alleged crime victim.[40]
During its investigation into the allegations, the department inquired whether the city of Henderson would be interested in resolving the matter voluntarily. The city expressed its full commitment to ensure compliance with the ADA. Under the settlement, the city of Henderson will pay $35,000 to the complainants. The city agreed to provide sign language interpreters, usually within an hour of a person's request to law enforcement officers. Henderson also agreed to modify its handcuffing policies for people who use sign language or hand writing to communicate, and to adopt other policies consistent with the ADA.[40]
Findlay Prep was a high school basketball program sponsored by the Henderson International School. Henderson International School – a private preparatory school owned by Meritas – hosted Findlay College Prep. Since its creation in 2006 by businessman Cliff Findlay, its dozen students comprised the school's only high school students.[41] Findlay has had several McDonald's All-Americans and alumni playing in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Henderson is the home to the headquarters of the Las Vegas Aces of the Women's National Basketball Association. In February 2021, ground was broken for an Aces facility next to the Raiders facility. The 50,000 square foot facility houses the Aces’ practice facility, offices, training room, weight room, hydrotherapy space, physical therapy area, locker rooms, a lecture hall, player and alumni lounges, and an on-site day care center.[46][47] The facility which was the first complex built solely for the use of a WNBA team opened in April 2023.[48]
The city of Henderson has a low percentage of households without a car. In 2015, 2.8 percent of Henderson households lacked a car, and increased to 5 percent in 2016. The national average was 8.7 percent in 2016. Henderson averaged 1.74 cars per household in 2016, compared to a national average of 1.8.[50]
Street numbering is different within the city of Henderson than with the rest of the Las Vegas Valley. The center of Henderson lies within the intersection of Water Street and Lake Mead Parkway. The Henderson Police Department for years referred to Lake Mead Parkway (and its former name Lake Mead Drive) as "146", while Boulder Highway is often referred as "93", its former highway designation.
The Union Pacific Railroad serves Henderson over a branch line originally built to support construction of Hoover Dam. The final few miles of the line, owned by the U.S. Government, were abandoned after the dam was completed. The line still extends to Boulder City; in 1985, the state purchased the section east of appropriately I-11, with the Nevada Southern Railroad Museum operating excursion trains over the easternmost seven miles (11 km).
Notable people
The following is an incomplete list of notable Henderson residents:
Steve Aoki (born 1977), electro-house musician, record producer, DJ and music executive[51]
^Elliott, Russell R.; Rowley, William D. (1987). History of Nevada (2nd ed., rev ed.). Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press. p. 345. ISBN978-0-8032-6715-2.
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