The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department provides most law enforcement services in the county. Exceptions include agencies that have their own police forces including; UNLV, the Clark County School District, and some other cities like Henderson, Mesquite, Boulder City and North Las Vegas.

Clark County Government is run by the Clark County Commission which consists of 7 members who are elected to serve staggered 4 year terms in biannual nonpartisan elections. After each election, the members elect a Chairperson who runs the Commission Meetings. Actual day to day operations are handled by the County Manager who is hired by the Commission.

The County operates out of the Clark County Government Center located in the City of Las Vegas. The building is unusual in shape, and includes an outdoor amphitheater where concerts and other events are held.

The Regional Justice Center replaced the Clark County Courthouse in 2005, and is located about 3 blocks from downtown Fremont Street, at 200 Lewis Avenue. Marriage licenses are issued at the Clark County Clerk’s Marriage License Bureau located on the Clark Street side of the Regional Justice Center. The Marriage License Bureau is open from 8:00 am to Midnight Monday through Thursday, Friday 8:00 am to Midnight Sunday, and is open 24 hours on holidays. See the Clark County Clerk Marriage License Bureau Homepage. (more…)

As of the census2 of 2000, there were 1,375,765 people, 512,253 households, and 339,623 families residing in the county. The population density was 67/km² (174/mi²). There were 559,799 housing units at an average density of 27/km² (71/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 71.58% White, 21.96% Hispanic or Latino, 9.08% Black or African American, 5.27% Asian, 0.79% Native American, 0.47% Pacific Islander, 8.61% from other races, and 4.20% from two or more races.

There were 512,253 households out of which 31.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.70% were married couples living together, 11.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.70% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.60% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 32.20% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 10.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 103.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $44,616, and the median income for a family was $50,485. Males had a median income of $35,243 versus $27,077 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,785. 10.80% of the population and 7.90% of families were below the poverty line. 14.10% of those under the age of 18 and 7.30% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 20,955 km² (8,091 mi²). 20,488 km² (7,910 mi²) of it is land and 467 km² (180 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.23% water.

The Colorado River forms the county’s southeastern boundary, with Hoover Dam forming Lake Mead along much of its length. Las Vegas is frequently, yet incorrectly labeled a valley. By definition, Greater Las Vegas is a land basin or bowl, surrounded by four mountain ranges, with nearby Mount Charleston being the highest elevation at 11,918 ft, located to the northwest. Other than the forests on Mount Charleston, the geography in Clark County is a desert. Creosote bushes are the main native vegetation, and the mountains are mostly rocky with little vegetation.

Adjacent Counties
Lincoln County, Nevada - north
Nye County, Nevada - west
Inyo County, California - southwest
San Bernardino County, California - south
Mohave County, Arizona - east

Clark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nevada. It is the most populous county in Nevada (2005 population estimate 1,710,551), and contains the city of Las Vegas. Las Vegas has been the county seat since the county was created by splitting off a portion of Lincoln County on February 5, 1908. Much of the county was originally part of Pah-Ute County, Arizona Territory before Nevada became a state.

Most people do not make a distinction between the County and the City of Las Vegas using Las Vegas to describe both, especially in the Las Vegas Valley area.

Clark County is a major tourist destination having 150,000 hotel and motel rooms as of 2005.This excitement is surely a factor in the nation-leading growth of Clark County’s booming population of 1.8 million. Another factor is the high quality of life afforded by its low tax rate, wonderful business climate, great weather, friendly people and smorgasbord of recreational venues.

Those venues stretch beyond the Strip to include the gambling destinations of Mesquite, Primm and Laughlin, located on the fun-filled Colorado River. But they also feature Lake Mead National Recreation Area and engineering marvel Hoover Dam, Mt. Charleston and the Toiyabe National Forest, Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire and parks, museums and recreational and cultural attractions.

Clark County is a wonderfully diverse place, and Clark County government is organized and positioned to meet those myriad needs. First, it provides urban services. In fact, more people live in urban Clark County than in any of Southern Nevada’s cities, including the city of Las Vegas. Geographically, this area of the unincorporated county includes the world-famous Las Vegas Strip and takes in McCarran International Airport, the Las Vegas Convention Center, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and, of course, the neighborhoods where our residents live, work and play.

Second, it provides regional services for more than 1.8 million residents and 38.2 million tourists a year (2005) and occupies an area (8,012 square miles) larger than New Jersey. Clark County government takes a leadership role in protecting the quality of our air through its Air Quality and Environmental Management Department and water through the Las Vegas Valley Water District, whose board is comprised of the seven members of the Clark County Commission. The county also operates McCarran and other airports, Southern Nevada’s only public hospital (University Medical Center), social services, community planning and the court system. Further, the county plays a key role in promoting tourism, transportation, public health and flood control.

Third, it provides town services for unincorporated townships such as the gambling destination of Laughlin and for rural treasures such as Overton (home of the Lost City Museum), Goodsprings, Jean and Searchlight. (more…)