Nevada has 119 census-designated places, along with legally organized unincorporated towns and other named communities outside incorporated city governments. Some of the state’s largest population centers are unincorporated. These include Enterprise, Spring Valley, Paradise, Sunrise Manor, and Pahrump.
A census-designated place is a statistical area identified by the U.S. Census Bureau. It does not have an incorporated municipal government. An unincorporated town in Nevada may have defined boundaries, county-provided services, and a town board or advisory board. However, it remains part of county government rather than becoming an independent city.
The classifications can overlap, but they are not interchangeable. A community may be both a census-designated place and an organized unincorporated town. Other named communities may fall into only one category or have no formal Census place designation.
Largest Unincorporated Places in Nevada
Enterprise is the largest unincorporated place in Nevada by population. Spring Valley, Sunrise Manor, and Paradise follow. All four are in the Las Vegas Valley and have populations above 190,000.
| Rank | Unincorporated Place | County | 2025 Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Enterprise | Clark County | 259,959 |
| 2 | Spring Valley | Clark County | 227,835 |
| 3 | Sunrise Manor | Clark County | 212,012 |
| 4 | Paradise | Clark County | 191,215 |
| 5 | Whitney | Clark County | 47,407 |
| 6 | Pahrump | Nye County | 43,690 |
| 7 | Summerlin | Clark County | 35,593 |
| 8 | Winchester | Clark County | 33,894 |
Enterprise, Spring Valley, Sunrise Manor, and Paradise each have more residents than Sparks, the fifth-largest city in Nevada. Their size shows why population alone does not determine whether a Nevada community is legally a city.
Seven of the eight largest unincorporated places listed in the state estimate are in Clark County. Pahrump is the only one outside Clark County. It is also the largest unincorporated population center in Nye County.
Source: Nevada Department of Taxation, Governor’s Certified Population Estimates, July 1, 2025.
The Nevada Department of Taxation population report uses Summerlin for this entry. Clark County and the U.S. Census Bureau use Summerlin South for the defined unincorporated town and census-designated place. The broader Summerlin master-planned community extends beyond Summerlin South.
Major Unincorporated Places in Nevada by County
Unincorporated places are found across all 16 Nevada counties. Carson City is a consolidated municipality and county equivalent, so it is separate from the state’s county-based unincorporated communities.
| County | Selected Unincorporated Places |
|---|---|
| Churchill County | Fallon Station |
| Clark County | Enterprise, Spring Valley, Sunrise Manor, Paradise, Whitney, Summerlin South, Winchester, Laughlin, Moapa Valley |
| Douglas County | Gardnerville, Gardnerville Ranchos, Minden, Johnson Lane, Indian Hills, Stateline |
| Elko County | Spring Creek, Owyhee, Jackpot, Osino, Lamoille |
| Esmeralda County | Goldfield, Silver Peak, Dyer |
| Eureka County | Eureka, Crescent Valley |
| Humboldt County | McDermitt, Orovada, Paradise Valley, Golconda |
| Lander County | Battle Mountain, Austin, Kingston |
| Lincoln County | Pioche, Panaca, Alamo, Rachel |
| Lyon County | Dayton, Silver Springs, Smith Valley, Stagecoach, Silver City |
| Mineral County | Hawthorne, Schurz, Mina, Walker Lake |
| Nye County | Pahrump, Tonopah, Beatty, Amargosa Valley, Gabbs |
| Pershing County | Imlay, Humboldt River Ranch, Grass Valley, Unionville |
| Storey County | Virginia City |
| Washoe County | Sun Valley, Spanish Springs, Lemmon Valley, Cold Springs, Incline Village, Verdi, Golden Valley |
| White Pine County | McGill, Baker, Lund, Ruth, Preston |
Clark County contains Nevada’s four largest unincorporated places. It also includes smaller communities in the Las Vegas Valley and outlying areas near Lake Mead, the Arizona border, and the Spring Mountains.
Washoe County has a large group of suburban, rural, and mountain communities outside Reno and Sparks. Douglas and Lyon counties also contain several growing population centers without incorporated city governments.
Several county seats in Nevada are unincorporated. These include Battle Mountain, Eureka, Goldfield, Hawthorne, Minden, Pioche, Tonopah, and Virginia City. Their counties provide local government services even though the county seats are not incorporated cities.
Types of Unincorporated Places in Nevada
Nevada’s unincorporated places do not all have the same legal or statistical status. The three broad classifications are census-designated places, organized unincorporated towns, and other named unincorporated communities.
| Classification | Recognized By | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Census-designated place | U.S. Census Bureau | A statistical area created to collect and report population, housing, and demographic data for an unincorporated population center |
| Unincorporated town | County government under Nevada law | A defined area that remains under county government and may receive town services or have an elected or appointed advisory board |
| Named unincorporated community | Local or county usage | A recognized community outside an incorporated city that may not have a separate Census designation or organized town government |
The classifications can overlap. Enterprise, Paradise, and Spring Valley are census-designated places and unincorporated towns administered by Clark County. Their Census boundaries support statistical reporting, while Clark County remains responsible for local government.
An unincorporated place is not legally the same as a city. Cities in Nevada have incorporated municipal governments. Most unincorporated places remain under county government. Communities on tribal reservation lands may also be governed by tribal authorities and federal law.
Unincorporated Places in the Las Vegas Valley
Seven major unincorporated towns form much of the urban area outside Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas. These are Enterprise, Paradise, Spring Valley, Summerlin South, Sunrise Manor, Whitney, and Winchester.
| Unincorporated Place | General Location in the Valley |
|---|---|
| Enterprise | Southern and southwestern Las Vegas Valley |
| Paradise | Central and southern Las Vegas Valley |
| Spring Valley | Western Las Vegas Valley |
| Summerlin South | Western edge of the Las Vegas Valley |
| Sunrise Manor | Eastern and northeastern Las Vegas Valley |
| Whitney | Southeastern Las Vegas Valley |
| Winchester | Central Las Vegas Valley |
These communities are part of the continuous Las Vegas urban area, but they remain under Clark County government. Town advisory boards provide local input on planning, zoning, public works, and other county decisions. They do not operate as independent city councils.
Paradise contains much of the Las Vegas Strip. This means many nationally recognized Las Vegas resorts and attractions are outside the incorporated City of Las Vegas.
Many addresses in these communities use Las Vegas as the mailing city. However, postal names and Las Vegas ZIP Codes do not determine municipal boundaries. A Las Vegas mailing address does not necessarily mean the property is inside the City of Las Vegas.
Unincorporated Places in Northern Nevada
Washoe County contains one of Nevada’s largest concentrations of unincorporated communities. Many are located around Reno and Sparks, along the North Valleys corridor, near the California border, or around the northern shore of Lake Tahoe.
| Unincorporated Place | County | General Location |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish Springs | Washoe County | North and northeast of Sparks |
| Sun Valley | Washoe County | North of Reno |
| Lemmon Valley | Washoe County | North of Reno in the North Valleys |
| Cold Springs | Washoe County | Northwestern edge of the Reno–Sparks area |
| Golden Valley | Washoe County | Between Sun Valley and Lemmon Valley |
| Incline Village | Washoe County | Northern shore of Lake Tahoe |
| Verdi | Washoe County | West of Reno near the California border |
| Spring Creek | Elko County | Southeast of Elko near the Ruby Mountains |
| Jackpot | Elko County | Near the Idaho border |
| Owyhee | Elko County | Northern Elko County near the Idaho border |
Washoe County governs the unincorporated areas outside Reno and Sparks. Some communities also receive water, sewer, recreation, or other services through general improvement districts and private utility providers.
Spanish Springs, Sun Valley, and Lemmon Valley are suburban communities within the broader Reno–Sparks region. Each remains outside an incorporated city government. Local ZIP code context is available through the Spanish Springs ZIP Codes, Sun Valley ZIP Codes, and Lemmon Valley ZIP Codes resources.
Northern and northeastern Nevada also contain widely separated rural communities. Spring Creek is a major population center near Elko. Jackpot, Owyhee, Lamoille, Osino, and other Elko County communities remain outside the county’s four incorporated cities.
Nevada Counties With No Incorporated Cities
Seven Nevada counties have no incorporated city. Their county seats and other population centers remain unincorporated and operate under county government.
| County | County Seat | Selected Unincorporated Places |
|---|---|---|
| Douglas County | Minden | Gardnerville, Gardnerville Ranchos, Indian Hills, Johnson Lane, Stateline |
| Esmeralda County | Goldfield | Dyer, Silver Peak |
| Eureka County | Eureka | Beowawe, Crescent Valley |
| Lander County | Battle Mountain | Austin, Kingston |
| Mineral County | Hawthorne | Mina, Schurz, Walker Lake |
| Nye County | Tonopah | Amargosa Valley, Beatty, Gabbs, Pahrump |
| Storey County | Virginia City | Gold Hill, Lockwood |
Nye County has the largest population among these seven counties. Pahrump is its largest community, while Tonopah remains the county seat. Neither place has an incorporated city government.
Douglas County contains several large communities near Carson City and Lake Tahoe. Minden serves as the county seat, while Gardnerville and Gardnerville Ranchos are among the county’s largest population centers.
The county seats in all seven counties are unincorporated. Their government role does not give them incorporated city status.
Unincorporated County Seats in Nevada
Eight county seats in Nevada are unincorporated communities. They serve as the official government centers of their counties but do not have separate incorporated city governments.
| Unincorporated County Seat | County | Incorporated City in the County? |
|---|---|---|
| Battle Mountain | Lander County | No |
| Eureka | Eureka County | No |
| Goldfield | Esmeralda County | No |
| Hawthorne | Mineral County | No |
| Minden | Douglas County | No |
| Pioche | Lincoln County | Yes, Caliente |
| Tonopah | Nye County | No |
| Virginia City | Storey County | No |
Seven of these county seats are in counties with no incorporated city. Pioche is the exception. It is the seat of Lincoln County, which also contains the incorporated city of Caliente.
County-seat status identifies the location of county government offices and official records. It does not make a community an incorporated municipality. This is why places such as Minden, Tonopah, and Virginia City can serve important government roles while remaining unincorporated.
How an Unincorporated Town Is Formed in Nevada
A Nevada county can establish an unincorporated town with defined boundaries. The town remains part of the county and does not become an independent municipality.
The board of county commissioners usually serves as the town’s governing body. In some cases, state law allows an elected town board. A county may also create a town advisory board or citizens’ advisory council to represent residents.
Advisory boards can review local concerns and make recommendations about planning, zoning, roads, public services, and community projects. Final government authority generally remains with the county commission.
The formation process varies according to the county’s population and the laws it has adopted. Some communities may require a resident petition before Nevada’s unincorporated-town laws apply. Organizing a town can create a more formal local structure, but it does not give the community incorporated city status.
Why Nevada Place Boundaries Do Not Always Match
A Nevada place name can refer to a census-designated place, an unincorporated town, a county planning area, a master-planned community, or a locally recognized neighborhood. These boundaries may overlap without matching exactly.
| Example | Why the Boundaries Differ |
|---|---|
| Summerlin and Summerlin South | Summerlin is a broader master-planned community. Summerlin South is a specific census-designated place and unincorporated town administered by Clark County. |
| Paradise and Winchester | The U.S. Census Bureau recognizes Paradise and Winchester as separate census-designated places. Clark County combines them into the Winchester–Paradise planning area for land-use planning. |
| Verdi and Mogul | These are locally recognized communities west of Reno. Washoe County may group them together for planning, services, or citizen advisory purposes. |
| Incline Village and Crystal Bay | The two Lake Tahoe communities have separate local identities. Washoe County also groups them within one citizen advisory area. |
Census boundaries are designed for statistical reporting. County planning boundaries are used for land use, services, and public participation. Residents and businesses may use a broader community name that extends beyond either boundary.
This means a familiar place name does not always identify one exact governmental area. County maps, Census boundaries, and local planning documents may each define the same community differently.
How Many Unincorporated Places Are in Nevada?
Nevada has 119 census-designated places in the current U.S. Census Bureau geographic file. This is the clearest official count of statistically recognized unincorporated population centers in the state.
The number of all unincorporated places is larger, but there is no single fixed total that combines every classification.
| Type of Place | Statewide Count |
|---|---|
| Census-designated places | 119 |
| Organized unincorporated towns | No single combined statewide count |
| Other named unincorporated communities | No fixed official count |
Census-designated places have defined statistical boundaries. Organized unincorporated towns are established or administered through county government. Other community names may be recognized locally without having formal Census boundaries or organized town status.
The categories can overlap. A place may be counted as a census-designated place and also operate as an organized unincorporated town. Adding the categories together would therefore create duplicate entries rather than an accurate statewide total.
The Census-designated place count may also change over time. The Census Bureau can add, remove, rename, or revise CDP boundaries as communities grow and local geographic information changes.
Why Large Nevada Communities Are Not Cities
A large population does not automatically make a Nevada community an incorporated city. Incorporation requires a formal legal process. Proposed boundaries must be reviewed, residents must petition for the change, and qualified voters must approve it.
| Factor | Why a Community Can Remain Unincorporated |
|---|---|
| Population size | Nevada law does not automatically incorporate a place after it reaches a specific population |
| County services | A county can continue providing planning, public safety, roads, parks, and other local services |
| Town structure | A town board or advisory board can represent residents without creating a separate city government |
| Community identity | A place can have a recognized name, Census boundary, mailing address, and local identity without incorporation |
| Urban development | Continuous development with a nearby city does not erase municipal or county boundaries |
Enterprise, Spring Valley, Sunrise Manor, and Paradise each have larger populations than many incorporated Nevada cities. They remain under Clark County government because population alone does not change their legal status.
Pahrump has also developed into a major regional population center without becoming a city. It remains an unincorporated community governed through Nye County.
Incorporation would create a separate municipal government with its own elected officers, responsibilities, and finances. Unless the legal process is completed and approved, the community remains unincorporated.
Nevada Unincorporated Places Directory
Southern Nevada
Enterprise
Enterprise covers much of the southern and southwestern Las Vegas Valley. It is Nevada’s largest unincorporated place by population and includes rapidly developed residential and commercial areas. Local postal context is available through the Enterprise ZIP Codes resource.
Paradise
Paradise occupies a central and southern portion of the Las Vegas Valley. Much of the Las Vegas Strip and the area surrounding Harry Reid International Airport are within Paradise rather than the incorporated City of Las Vegas. See the Paradise ZIP Codes resource for local postal geography.
Spring Valley
Spring Valley is west of the central Las Vegas Valley and east of Summerlin. It is one of Nevada’s largest unincorporated communities and contains a mix of residential, commercial, and resort-related areas. The Spring Valley ZIP Codes resource explains the ZIP codes associated with the area.
Sunrise Manor
Sunrise Manor occupies the eastern and northeastern Las Vegas Valley. It extends toward Frenchman Mountain and includes established neighborhoods east of Las Vegas. Local ZIP information is available through the Sunrise Manor ZIP Codes resource.
Whitney
Whitney is in the southeastern Las Vegas Valley near Henderson and the Boulder Highway corridor. It remains under Clark County government despite being part of the continuous metropolitan area.
Winchester
Winchester is a compact urban community near the center of the Las Vegas Valley. It is directly east of the incorporated City of Las Vegas and north of Paradise. See the Winchester ZIP Codes resource for local ZIP code context.
Summerlin South
Summerlin South is an unincorporated town and census-designated place along the western edge of the Las Vegas Valley. It forms part of the broader Summerlin master-planned community but has its own defined Census and county boundaries.
Pahrump
Pahrump is the largest population center in Nye County. It is west of Las Vegas near the California border and remains an unincorporated town governed through Nye County.
Laughlin
Laughlin is an unincorporated Colorado River community in southern Clark County. It sits across the river from Bullhead City, Arizona, near the point where Nevada, Arizona, and California meet.
Western and Central Nevada
Gardnerville
Gardnerville is an unincorporated community in Douglas County south of Carson City. It is closely connected with Minden and Gardnerville Ranchos in the Carson Valley.
Minden
Minden is the seat of Douglas County and one of the county’s principal population centers. It is unincorporated despite serving as the location of county government.
Dayton
Dayton is an unincorporated community in Lyon County east of Carson City. It is part of the broader western Nevada growth corridor between Carson City, Silver Springs, and Fernley.
Silver Springs
Silver Springs is in northern Lyon County near the junction of U.S. Route 50 and U.S. Route 95 Alternate. It serves surrounding rural communities and lies west of Fallon and south of Fernley.
Tonopah
Tonopah is the seat of Nye County and a historic mining community in central Nevada. It remains unincorporated and serves a large, sparsely populated county.
Hawthorne
Hawthorne is the seat of Mineral County and the county’s largest population center. It is located along U.S. Route 95 near Walker Lake.
Northern and Eastern Nevada
Spanish Springs
Spanish Springs is north and northeast of Sparks in Washoe County. It is a major suburban population center in the Reno–Sparks metropolitan area.
Sun Valley
Sun Valley is directly north of Reno. It is an established Washoe County community centered around Sun Valley Boulevard and remains outside Reno city government.
Lemmon Valley
Lemmon Valley is in the North Valleys area of Washoe County. It lies north of Reno near U.S. Route 395 and the Lemmon Drive corridor.
Incline Village
Incline Village is on the northern shore of Lake Tahoe in Washoe County. It is an unincorporated resort and residential community near the California state line.
Spring Creek
Spring Creek is southeast of Elko near the Ruby Mountains. It is one of northeastern Nevada’s largest unincorporated population centers.
Battle Mountain
Battle Mountain is the seat of Lander County. It is located along Interstate 80 between Winnemucca and Elko and remains unincorporated.
Jackpot
Jackpot is an unincorporated community in northern Elko County near the Idaho border. Its location connects northeastern Nevada with the Twin Falls region of southern Idaho.
Virginia City
Virginia City is the seat of Storey County and one of Nevada’s best-known historic mining communities. It remains unincorporated despite its prominent role in the state’s history.
Frequently Asked Questions About Unincorporated Places in Nevada
How many unincorporated places are in Nevada?
Nevada has 119 census-designated places in the current U.S. Census Bureau geographic file. The total number of all unincorporated towns and named communities is larger, but no single official count combines every classification.
What is the largest unincorporated place in Nevada?
Enterprise is Nevada’s largest unincorporated place by population. It is in the southern and southwestern Las Vegas Valley and remains under Clark County government.
Is Paradise, Nevada, a city?
No. Paradise is a census-designated place and unincorporated town in Clark County. Much of the Las Vegas Strip is within Paradise rather than the incorporated City of Las Vegas.
Is Pahrump an incorporated city?
No. Pahrump is an unincorporated town and census-designated place in Nye County. It is the county’s largest population center, but Tonopah remains the county seat.
Are census-designated places and unincorporated towns the same?
Not necessarily. A census-designated place is created for statistical reporting. An unincorporated town is organized or administered through county government. A community can belong to both categories.
Who governs unincorporated places in Nevada?
County governments have primary authority over most unincorporated places. Town boards, advisory boards, citizens’ councils, improvement districts, and other local bodies may assist with services or community representation. Communities on tribal reservation lands may also be governed by tribal authorities and federal law.
Do unincorporated places receive public services?
Yes. Counties can provide planning, roads, parks, public safety, and other services. Some communities also receive water, sewer, recreation, or fire services through improvement districts, special districts, or utility providers.
Can an unincorporated Nevada community become a city?
Yes. A community can pursue incorporation through the process established by Nevada law. The proposal requires defined boundaries, government review, resident support, and voter approval.
Are any Nevada county seats unincorporated?
Yes. Eight Nevada county seats are unincorporated: Battle Mountain, Eureka, Goldfield, Hawthorne, Minden, Pioche, Tonopah, and Virginia City.
Why do some unincorporated places use Las Vegas mailing addresses?
USPS mailing city names and ZIP codes do not determine municipal boundaries. Many properties outside the incorporated City of Las Vegas use Las Vegas as their mailing city.
Methodology and Sources
The census-designated place count comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current/BAS26 Nevada geographic file. The file contains 119 Nevada CDPs and reflects geographic data available as of November 30, 2025.
Population figures in the largest unincorporated places table come from the Nevada Department of Taxation’s Governor’s Certified Population Estimates for July 1, 2025. The state report identifies these communities under its unincorporated towns category. It is not a complete population ranking of all 119 census-designated places or every named Nevada community.
Legal descriptions of unincorporated towns, town boards, advisory bodies, county authority, and formation procedures were checked against Chapter 269 of the Nevada Revised Statutes.
County assignments and CDP classifications were checked against Census Bureau geography records. County and regional sections use selected communities rather than listing every unincorporated place. Regional groupings and descriptions are editorial and are based on location, nearby cities, transportation corridors, and broader geographic relationships.
Primary sources used for this page include:
- U.S. Census Bureau
- Nevada Department of Taxation
- Nevada Revised Statutes
- Clark County
- Washoe County
- Nevada county and municipal records