Carson City is the capital of the state of Nevada in the United States of America. As of the 2000 census, its population is 52,457. Carson City is now an independent city, not part of any county. Like many towns in Nevada, Carson City was founded in the boom days of mining — in the case of Carson City, silver mining. It was the county seat of the former (1861-1969) Ormsby County, and was named for explorer Kit Carson.

Carson City was one of five state capitals not served by an interstate highway. Dover, Delaware; Jefferson City, Missouri; Juneau, Alaska; and Pierre, South Dakota are the other four state capitals with this distinction. This changed on February 16, 2006 with the opening of Phase 1 of the Carson City Freeway Project; a four lane stretch between Lakeview Hill and US 50. This will eventually be renamed Interstate 580 when the link between Reno and Carson City is complete. With the completion of Phase 2, the Carson City Freeway will loop around the city and end near US 50 to the south.

Carson City has the distinction of being the smallest of the 361 Metropolitan Statistical Areas as designated by the United States Census Bureau (as of 1 July 2004).

The largest nearby city to Carson City is Reno, about 30 miles to the north.
A supply station for miners in the valley, it achieved importance with the discovery (1859) of the Comstock Lode and became the terminus of the railroad carrying ore. In 1861, when the Territory of Nevada was created, the city was made the capital, and in 1864 it became the state capital. Carson City and Ormsby co. were consolidated into one community in 1969. A U.S. mint, closed in 1893, is now the Nevada State Museum. Lake Tahoe and the Carson River are nearby.