Northern Nevada has 13 cities in total. Twelve are incorporated cities, while Carson City is a consolidated municipality. They are Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Fernley, Yerington, Fallon, Lovelock, Winnemucca, Elko, Carlin, Wells, West Wendover, and Ely.
Northern Nevada also contains many unincorporated towns and communities, including Virginia City, Gardnerville, Minden, Incline Village, Spanish Springs, Sun Valley, Battle Mountain, and Hawthorne. These places are part of the region but are not incorporated cities.
Northern Nevada does not have a single universally defined boundary. Different organizations define the region differently. One north-south county grouping used in Nevada law places Clark, Nye, Lincoln, and Esmeralda in the southern region and the remaining counties plus Carson City in the northern region.
What Cities Are in Northern Nevada?
The 13 cities in Northern Nevada are spread across eight counties or county-equivalents. Most are concentrated in Washoe, Lyon, and Elko counties, while several other counties have only one incorporated city.
| City | County or County-Equivalent | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Reno | Washoe County | Incorporated city |
| Sparks | Washoe County | Incorporated city |
| Carson City | Carson City | Consolidated municipality |
| Fernley | Lyon County | Incorporated city |
| Yerington | Lyon County | Incorporated city |
| Fallon | Churchill County | Incorporated city |
| Lovelock | Pershing County | Incorporated city |
| Winnemucca | Humboldt County | Incorporated city |
| Elko | Elko County | Incorporated city |
| Carlin | Elko County | Incorporated city |
| Wells | Elko County | Incorporated city |
| West Wendover | Elko County | Incorporated city |
| Ely | White Pine County | Incorporated city |
Elko County has four incorporated cities, the most of any county in Northern Nevada. Washoe and Lyon counties each have two. Churchill, Humboldt, Pershing, and White Pine counties each have one incorporated city. Douglas, Eureka, Lander, Mineral, and Storey counties do not contain any incorporated cities.
What Area Is Considered Northern Nevada?
Northern Nevada does not have one fixed boundary. The term generally refers to the northern part of the state, but different organizations may include different counties.
One north-south division used in Nevada law places Washoe, Storey, Douglas, Lyon, Churchill, Pershing, Humboldt, Lander, Elko, Eureka, Mineral, White Pine, and Carson City in the northern region. Under the same division, Clark, Nye, Lincoln, and Esmeralda counties are in the southern region.
Using this division, Northern Nevada reaches from Reno, Sparks, and Carson City in the west across rural and northeastern Nevada. It includes areas around Winnemucca, Elko, Wells, West Wendover, and Ely. This makes Northern Nevada much larger than the Reno metropolitan area alone.
Map of Northern Nevada Cities
The map below shows the 13 cities in Northern Nevada and where they are located across the region. Reno, Sparks, and Carson City are clustered in western Nevada, while other cities are spread across the central and northeastern parts of the state.
Elko County contains four incorporated cities: Elko, Carlin, Wells, and West Wendover. Farther west, cities such as Fernley, Fallon, Lovelock, Winnemucca, and Yerington are spread across several counties between the Reno area and northeastern Nevada.
Largest Cities in Northern Nevada by Population
Reno is the largest city in Northern Nevada, with an estimated population of 283,378 as of July 1, 2025. Sparks ranks second with 117,116 residents, followed by Carson City with 61,888.
| Rank | City | 2025 Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reno | 283,378 |
| 2 | Sparks | 117,116 |
| 3 | Carson City | 61,888 |
| 4 | Fernley | 26,006 |
| 5 | Elko | 22,123 |
| 6 | Fallon | 9,771 |
| 7 | Winnemucca | 8,748 |
| 8 | West Wendover | 4,486 |
| 9 | Ely | 4,017 |
| 10 | Yerington | 3,549 |
| 11 | Carlin | 2,498 |
| 12 | Lovelock | 1,875 |
| 13 | Wells | 1,330 |
The population difference is especially large at the top of the list. Reno has more than twice the population of Sparks, while the remaining Northern Nevada cities are much smaller.
Source: Nevada Department of Taxation, Governor’s Certified Population Estimates, July 1, 2025.
Northern Nevada Towns and Unincorporated Communities
Northern Nevada has many towns and unincorporated communities in addition to its 13 cities. Some are organized towns, while others are census-designated places used for population and statistical purposes.
| Community | County | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia City | Storey County | Census-designated place |
| Gardnerville | Douglas County | Town and census-designated place |
| Minden | Douglas County | Town and census-designated place |
| Incline Village | Washoe County | Census-designated place |
| Spanish Springs | Washoe County | Census-designated place |
| Sun Valley | Washoe County | Census-designated place |
| Battle Mountain | Lander County | Town and census-designated place |
| Hawthorne | Mineral County | Town and census-designated place |
| Spring Creek | Elko County | Census-designated place |
| Dayton | Lyon County | Census-designated place |
These communities are not incorporated cities, even though several are important population centers or county seats. Census-designated place status is used for statistical purposes and does not make a community an incorporated city.
Northern Nevada vs. Southern Nevada
Northern Nevada and Southern Nevada cover different parts of the state and have different patterns of cities and population centers. Under the north-south division used here, Northern Nevada includes the counties outside Clark, Nye, Lincoln, and Esmeralda, along with Carson City.
Northern Nevada has 13 cities in total, while Southern Nevada has six. Northern Nevada’s cities are spread across a much larger number of counties, from Reno and Sparks in the west to Elko, West Wendover, and Ely farther east.
Southern Nevada is much more concentrated around Clark County. Five of its six incorporated cities are in Clark County: Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, and Mesquite. Caliente, the sixth city, is in Lincoln County.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cities in Northern Nevada
What cities are in Northern Nevada?
Northern Nevada has 13 cities in total: Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Fernley, Yerington, Fallon, Lovelock, Winnemucca, Elko, Carlin, Wells, West Wendover, and Ely. Twelve are incorporated cities, while Carson City is a consolidated municipality.
What is considered Northern Nevada?
Northern Nevada does not have one fixed boundary. One north-south division used in Nevada law places Clark, Nye, Lincoln, and Esmeralda counties in the southern region and the remaining counties plus Carson City in the northern region.
What is the largest city in Northern Nevada?
Reno is the largest city in Northern Nevada. Its estimated population was 283,378 as of July 1, 2025.
Is Reno in Northern Nevada?
Yes. Reno is in Washoe County in western Northern Nevada. It is the largest city in the region by population.
Is Carson City considered Northern Nevada?
Yes. Carson City is commonly included in Northern Nevada and is part of the northern region under the north-south division used for this city list. It is a consolidated municipality rather than an incorporated city.
Is Elko in Northern Nevada?
Yes. Elko is in northeastern Nevada and is one of four incorporated cities in Elko County. The others are Carlin, Wells, and West Wendover.
Is Ely considered Northern Nevada?
Yes. Under the north-south division used for this list, Ely is part of Northern Nevada. It is the only incorporated city in White Pine County.
What towns are in Northern Nevada?
Northern Nevada has many towns and unincorporated communities in addition to its cities. Examples include Virginia City, Gardnerville, Minden, Battle Mountain, Hawthorne, Incline Village, Spanish Springs, and Sun Valley.
Explore More Nevada Resources
- Cities in Nevada — See the complete statewide list of Nevada cities, including counties, population information, and municipal classifications.
- Southern Nevada Cities — Explore the cities in Southern Nevada, including Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, Mesquite, and Caliente.
- Largest Cities in Nevada — Compare Nevada cities by population and see which cities rank among the largest in the state.
- Unincorporated Places in Nevada — Learn about Nevada towns, census-designated places, and other communities that are not incorporated cities.
- Counties in Nevada — See Nevada’s counties, county locations, regional groupings, and other statewide county information.