Nevada has 19 cities and city-level municipalities. Eighteen are incorporated cities. Carson City is an independent consolidated municipality that also functions as a county equivalent. Las Vegas is the largest city in Nevada by population, while Caliente is the smallest.
Nevada’s incorporated cities are unevenly distributed across the state. Clark County has five cities, while Elko County has four. Seven Nevada counties have no incorporated city at all. Most of the state’s urban population is concentrated in the Las Vegas Valley and the broader Reno–Sparks–Carson City region.
Some of Nevada’s largest communities are not cities. Enterprise, Paradise, Spring Valley, Sunrise Manor, and Pahrump are unincorporated places or census-designated places. Several other major population centers fall into the same category. They are separate from the official list of Nevada cities.
Complete List of Cities in Nevada
Population figures use Nevada’s Governor’s Certified Population Estimates for July 1, 2025. The U.S. Census Bureau recognizes 19 incorporated places in Nevada: 18 cities and Carson City.
| City | County or Equivalent | 2025 Population | Population Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder City | Clark County | 14,885 | 10 |
| Caliente | Lincoln County | 1,100 | 19 |
| Carlin | Elko County | 2,498 | 16 |
| Carson City | Carson City | 61,888 | 6 |
| Elko | Elko County | 22,123 | 9 |
| Ely | White Pine County | 4,017 | 14 |
| Fallon | Churchill County | 9,771 | 11 |
| Fernley | Lyon County | 26,006 | 7 |
| Henderson | Clark County | 363,568 | 2 |
| Las Vegas | Clark County | 687,050 | 1 |
| Lovelock | Pershing County | 1,875 | 17 |
| Mesquite | Clark County | 24,270 | 8 |
| North Las Vegas | Clark County | 292,114 | 3 |
| Reno | Washoe County | 283,378 | 4 |
| Sparks | Washoe County | 117,116 | 5 |
| Wells | Elko County | 1,330 | 18 |
| West Wendover | Elko County | 4,486 | 13 |
| Winnemucca | Humboldt County | 8,748 | 12 |
| Yerington | Lyon County | 3,549 | 15 |
Source: Nevada Department of Taxation, Governor’s Certified Population Estimates, July 1, 2025.
Nevada Cities by County
Nevada’s 19 cities and city-level municipalities are spread across nine counties and Carson City. Clark County has the most incorporated cities with five. Elko County follows with four.
| County or Equivalent | Incorporated Cities | Number of Cities |
|---|---|---|
| Clark County | Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite, North Las Vegas | 5 |
| Elko County | Carlin, Elko, Wells, West Wendover | 4 |
| Lyon County | Fernley, Yerington | 2 |
| Washoe County | Reno, Sparks | 2 |
| Churchill County | Fallon | 1 |
| Humboldt County | Winnemucca | 1 |
| Lincoln County | Caliente | 1 |
| Pershing County | Lovelock | 1 |
| White Pine County | Ely | 1 |
| Carson City | Carson City | 1 |
Seven Nevada counties have no incorporated city. These are Douglas, Esmeralda, Eureka, Lander, Mineral, Nye, and Storey counties. Their population centers consist of unincorporated towns, census-designated places, and smaller communities.
Nevada Cities vs. Unincorporated Places
Some of Nevada’s largest population centers are not incorporated cities. They are unincorporated communities or census-designated places governed by their county rather than by a separate city government.
| Place | County | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | Clark County | Census-designated place |
| Paradise | Clark County | Census-designated place |
| Pahrump | Nye County | Census-designated place |
| Spring Valley | Clark County | Census-designated place |
| Sunrise Manor | Clark County | Census-designated place |
| Summerlin South | Clark County | Census-designated place |
| Whitney | Clark County | Census-designated place |
| Winchester | Clark County | Census-designated place |
| Spanish Springs | Washoe County | Census-designated place |
| Sun Valley | Washoe County | Census-designated place |
These places may appear in online lists of Nevada cities because they have recognizable names and large populations. However, they are not part of Nevada’s official list of incorporated cities. Paradise, Enterprise, Spring Valley, and Sunrise Manor are also part of the Las Vegas Valley, but they remain outside the governments of Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas.
Nevada Cities by Region
Nevada’s cities can be grouped into three broad geographic areas. Southern Nevada contains the largest concentration of residents. Western Nevada includes the Reno–Sparks area, Carson City, and several cities along major transportation corridors. The cities in northern and eastern Nevada are more widely separated.
| Broad Region | Cities | Number of Cities |
|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas and Southern Nevada | Boulder City, Caliente, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite, North Las Vegas | 6 |
| Reno–Carson and Western Nevada | Carson City, Fallon, Fernley, Lovelock, Reno, Sparks, Yerington | 7 |
| Northern and Eastern Nevada | Carlin, Elko, Ely, Wells, West Wendover, Winnemucca | 6 |
Five of the six cities in Southern Nevada are in Clark County. This group includes Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas, the three largest cities in the state. Caliente is the only Southern Nevada city outside Clark County.
Reno and Sparks form Nevada’s largest urban center outside the Las Vegas Valley. Carson City sits south of the Reno–Sparks area. Fernley, Fallon, Lovelock, and Yerington extend the group into western and west-central Nevada.
The cities in northern and eastern Nevada cover a much larger geographic area. Elko County contains Carlin, Elko, Wells, and West Wendover. Winnemucca is in Humboldt County, while Ely is in White Pine County.
Nevada Cities That Are County Seats
Eight incorporated cities in Nevada serve as county seats. These cities contain the main government offices for their respective counties.
| City | County |
|---|---|
| Elko | Elko County |
| Ely | White Pine County |
| Fallon | Churchill County |
| Las Vegas | Clark County |
| Lovelock | Pershing County |
| Reno | Washoe County |
| Winnemucca | Humboldt County |
| Yerington | Lyon County |
Carson City is Nevada’s state capital, but it is not the seat of a separate county. It is an independent consolidated municipality and functions as its own county equivalent.
Nevada’s other eight county seats are unincorporated communities. They are Battle Mountain, Eureka, Goldfield, Hawthorne, Minden, Pioche, Tonopah, and Virginia City. This is why the complete list of county seats in Nevada does not match the official list of Nevada cities.
Charter Cities and General Law Cities in Nevada
Nevada’s cities operate under one of two legal structures. Thirteen are charter cities, while six are general law cities. Charter cities operate under individual municipal charters. General law cities are governed primarily by Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 266.
| Municipal Structure | Nevada Cities | Number of Cities |
|---|---|---|
| Charter cities | Boulder City, Caliente, Carlin, Carson City, Elko, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite, North Las Vegas, Reno, Sparks, Wells, Yerington | 13 |
| General law cities | Ely, Fallon, Fernley, Lovelock, West Wendover, Winnemucca | 6 |
The distinction describes the legal framework under which a city operates. It does not refer to the city’s population, physical size, or regional importance. Charter cities have city-specific governing documents. General law cities follow the statewide rules established for municipal government.
What Incorporated City Status Means in Nevada
Incorporation gives a Nevada community its own municipal government. General law cities operate under statewide rules. Charter cities operate under city-specific charters and the state laws that apply to them.
City governments can adopt local ordinances and manage municipal property. They may also maintain streets, parks, utilities, police departments, fire services, and other local operations. The exact responsibilities vary by city and by agreements with county or regional agencies.
Unincorporated communities and census-designated places do not have separate city governments. They remain under county government, even when they have large populations or widely recognized names. This is why places such as Paradise, Enterprise, and Pahrump are not legally Nevada cities.
Where Nevada’s City Population Is Concentrated
Nevada’s incorporated-city population is heavily concentrated in the Las Vegas Valley and the Reno–Sparks area. The five cities in Clark County have a combined 2025 population of 1,381,887. That represents 71.6% of all residents counted within Nevada’s 19 cities and city-level municipalities.
Reno and Sparks add another 400,494 residents. When the cities in Clark and Washoe counties are combined, they account for 92.4% of Nevada’s incorporated-city population. The remaining 12 municipalities account for just 7.6%.
| Group | Combined 2025 Population | Share of Official-City Population |
|---|---|---|
| Five Clark County cities | 1,381,887 | 71.6% |
| Reno and Sparks | 400,494 | 20.8% |
| Clark and Washoe County cities combined | 1,782,381 | 92.4% |
| Remaining 12 municipalities | 147,391 | 7.6% |
The five largest cities, Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Reno, and Sparks, contain 90.3% of the population living within Nevada’s official cities. This helps explain why the state’s municipal population is concentrated in two major urban regions. Nevada’s smaller cities remain spread across a much larger geographic area.
Population Categories for Nevada General Law Cities
Nevada law divides general law cities into three population categories. Category one includes cities with at least 50,000 residents. Category two covers cities with 5,000 to 49,999 residents. Category three includes cities with fewer than 5,000 residents.
Based on Nevada’s certified July 1, 2025 population estimates, the state’s six general law cities fall within the following population ranges.
| Population Category | Population Range | General Law Cities Within the Range |
|---|---|---|
| Category one | 50,000 or more | None |
| Category two | 5,000 to 49,999 | Fallon, Fernley, Winnemucca |
| Category three | Fewer than 5,000 | Ely, Lovelock, West Wendover |
These categories do not automatically apply to Nevada’s charter cities. A general law city also does not move into a higher legal category solely because a population estimate crosses a threshold. State law requires the qualifying population to be formally established and recognized before the change takes effect.
When Nevada’s Cities Were Incorporated
Nevada’s cities were incorporated in several distinct periods. Carson City was the first in 1875. Fernley became the newest Nevada city when it incorporated in 2001.
| Incorporation Period | Nevada Cities |
|---|---|
| 1875 | Carson City |
| 1903 to 1911 | Reno, Sparks, Las Vegas, Yerington, Ely, Fallon |
| 1917 | Elko, Lovelock, Winnemucca |
| 1925 to 1927 | Carlin, Wells |
| 1946 to 1959 | North Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, Caliente |
| 1984 to 2001 | Mesquite, West Wendover, Fernley |
Most of Nevada’s cities were incorporated during the first three decades of the 20th century. Reno incorporated in 1903. Sparks followed in 1905. Yerington, Ely, and Fallon became cities before the end of 1908. Las Vegas incorporated in 1911.
Nevada added only three new cities after 1959. Mesquite incorporated in 1984, West Wendover in 1991, and Fernley in 2001. No Nevada community has incorporated as a new city since Fernley.
How a Community Becomes a City in Nevada
Creating a new city in Nevada requires more than choosing a name and drawing municipal boundaries. The proposed area must be contiguous and urban in character. It must also be used, or suitable for use, for residential, commercial, industrial, or governmental purposes.
A committee of five qualified electors can begin the process by filing a notice with the county clerk. The committee must then submit an incorporation petition. The petition needs signatures from at least one-third of the qualified electors within the proposed city boundaries.
State and county agencies review the proposal before it reaches voters. The review considers population, land use, expected growth, public services, transportation, tax revenue, and the financial effect of incorporation. The county commission must also hold a public hearing.
The final decision belongs to the qualified voters within the proposed city. If incorporation is approved, another election is held to choose the city’s first officers. The mayor then files the city’s articles of incorporation with the Nevada Secretary of State.
Nevada’s incorporation process requires public support and evidence that the proposed city can operate successfully. These requirements help explain why new city incorporations are uncommon. Fernley remains the most recent Nevada community to become a city.
Nevada City Directory
Las Vegas and Southern Nevada
Boulder City
Boulder City is in southeastern Clark County, outside the main Las Vegas urban area. The city is near Lake Mead and Hoover Dam. It is connected to Henderson and the Las Vegas Valley by Interstate 11 and U.S. Route 93.
Caliente
Caliente is the only incorporated city in Lincoln County. It is located along U.S. Route 93 in a narrow valley surrounded by mountains. Caliente is also the smallest city in Nevada by population.
Henderson
Henderson occupies the southeastern portion of the Las Vegas Valley. It is Nevada’s second-largest city and borders Las Vegas to the northwest. The city extends toward Boulder City, Lake Las Vegas, and the western edge of Lake Mead.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas is Nevada’s largest city and the seat of Clark County. It forms the central city of the Las Vegas Valley. The city is separate from several major unincorporated communities commonly associated with Las Vegas, including Paradise, Spring Valley, and Enterprise.
Mesquite
Mesquite is in northeastern Clark County near the Arizona border. It is located along Interstate 15 between the Las Vegas Valley and St. George, Utah. Mesquite is geographically separate from the main urban area of Clark County.
North Las Vegas
North Las Vegas occupies the northern and northeastern portions of the Las Vegas Valley. It is a separate incorporated city with its own municipal government. It is not a neighborhood or district within the City of Las Vegas.
Reno–Carson and Western Nevada
Carson City
Carson City is Nevada’s state capital and an independent consolidated municipality. It is not part of a separate county. The city is south of Reno and east of Lake Tahoe, with U.S. Route 395 and U.S. Route 50 serving as major transportation corridors.
Fallon
Fallon is the seat of Churchill County and the only incorporated city in the county. It is located east of the Reno–Carson area along U.S. Route 50. The surrounding Lahontan Valley is one of western Nevada’s principal agricultural areas.
Fernley
Fernley is in northern Lyon County east of Reno and Sparks. Interstate 80, U.S. Route 50 Alternate, and U.S. Route 95 Alternate meet in or near the city. Fernley became Nevada’s newest incorporated city in 2001.
Lovelock
Lovelock is the seat of Pershing County and its only incorporated city. It is located along Interstate 80 between Fernley and Winnemucca. The city serves communities and agricultural areas in the lower Humboldt River region.
Reno
Reno is the largest city in northern Nevada and the seat of Washoe County. It is located along the Truckee River near the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada. Reno and Sparks form the core of Nevada’s second-largest metropolitan area.
Sparks
Sparks is directly east of Reno in Washoe County. The two cities form a continuous urban area but maintain separate municipal governments. Interstate 80 passes through both cities and connects them with Fernley, Lovelock, and communities farther east.
Yerington
Yerington is the seat of Lyon County. It is located in Mason Valley along U.S. Route 95 Alternate, south of Fernley and east of Carson City. Yerington and Fernley are the county’s two incorporated cities.
Northern and Eastern Nevada
Carlin
Carlin is in western Elko County along Interstate 80. It is located west of Elko near the Humboldt River corridor. Carlin is one of four incorporated cities in Elko County.
Elko
Elko is the seat and largest incorporated city of Elko County. It serves as a regional center for northeastern Nevada. Interstate 80 and the Humboldt River corridor connect Elko with Carlin, Wells, and communities across northern Nevada.
Ely
Ely is the seat of White Pine County and the county’s only incorporated city. It is located in eastern Nevada near the junction of U.S. Routes 6, 50, and 93. Ely serves a large rural area between central Nevada and the Utah border.
Wells
Wells is in northeastern Elko County near the junction of Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 93. It lies east of Elko and north of the Ruby Mountains. The city developed along transportation routes connecting northern and eastern Nevada.
West Wendover
West Wendover is in eastern Elko County on the Utah border. It is directly adjacent to Wendover, Utah, although the two communities are governed separately. Interstate 80 connects West Wendover with Wells, Elko, and the Salt Lake City region.
Winnemucca
Winnemucca is the seat of Humboldt County and the county’s only incorporated city. It is located along Interstate 80 in north-central Nevada. The city serves as a transportation and service center for surrounding ranching, mining, and rural communities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nevada Cities
How many cities are in Nevada?
Nevada has 19 cities and city-level municipalities. Eighteen are incorporated cities. Carson City is an independent consolidated municipality that also functions as a county equivalent.
What is the largest city in Nevada?
Las Vegas is the largest city in Nevada by population. Henderson, North Las Vegas, Reno, and Sparks complete the top five.
What is the smallest city in Nevada?
Caliente is the smallest incorporated city in Nevada by population. It is located in Lincoln County along U.S. Route 93.
What is the capital city of Nevada?
Carson City is the capital of Nevada. It is an independent consolidated municipality and is not part of a separate county.
Is Las Vegas the capital of Nevada?
No. Las Vegas is Nevada’s largest city and the seat of Clark County. Carson City is the state capital.
Is Paradise, Nevada, a city?
No. Paradise is an unincorporated census-designated place in Clark County. It is part of the Las Vegas Valley but does not have its own city government.
Is Pahrump a city in Nevada?
No. Pahrump is an unincorporated census-designated place in Nye County. It is one of Nevada’s largest communities outside an incorporated city.
Which Nevada county has the most cities?
Clark County has five incorporated cities: Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite, and North Las Vegas. Elko County ranks second with four.
What is the newest city in Nevada?
Fernley is Nevada’s newest incorporated city. It incorporated in 2001 and is located in Lyon County east of Reno and Sparks.
Are Reno and Sparks the same city?
No. Reno and Sparks are separate incorporated cities in Washoe County. They form a continuous urban area and maintain separate municipal governments.
Are there Nevada counties without an incorporated city?
Yes. Douglas, Esmeralda, Eureka, Lander, Mineral, Nye, and Storey counties have no incorporated city. Their population centers consist of unincorporated towns, census-designated places, and smaller communities.
Methodology and Sources
The official city list follows the U.S. Census Bureau’s classification of incorporated places in Nevada. It includes 18 incorporated cities and Carson City. Carson City is an independent consolidated municipality and county equivalent.
Population figures come from the Nevada Department of Taxation’s Governor’s Certified Population Estimates for July 1, 2025. Population rankings, combined totals, and percentage shares were calculated from those figures. Percentages were rounded to one decimal place.
County assignments, municipal structures, population categories, county-seat status, and incorporation requirements were checked against Nevada state records. These include the Nevada Revised Statutes and publications from the Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau.
The regional groups used on this page are editorial groupings rather than official state boundaries. Cities were grouped according to their location, nearby urban centers, major transportation corridors, and broader geographic relationships.
Primary sources used for this page include:
- Nevada Department of Taxation
- U.S. Census Bureau
- Nevada Revised Statutes
- Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau
- Nevada League of Cities and Municipalities