Wondering about the latino population in las vegas? Nearly three in ten Nevadans were Latino in 2020, and Clark County, home to Las Vegas, saw 23 percent Latino growth from 2010 to 2020.
This guide sits within our wider look at latino culture in las vegas.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Latino population of Nevada, 2000 | 393,970 people |
| Latino population of Nevada, 2020 | 890,257 people |
| Latino share of Nevada, 2000 | 20 percent |
| Latino share of Nevada, 2020 | 29 percent |
| Latino growth in Clark County, 2010-2020 | 23 percent |
| Latino growth in Washoe County, 2010-2020 | 30 percent |
Figures come from a Nevada Independent analysis of the 2020 census, linked here: First cut on census data. Census counts and estimates can change or be revised, so check the source before you rely on them.
What the numbers say about Latinos in Nevada
Las Vegas sits in Clark County, and the clearest recent picture of its Latino community comes from the state level and the county comparison in the 2020 census. According to the Nevada Independent, Nevada’s Latino population more than doubled in a generation, from 393,970 in 2000 to 890,257 in 2020.
In share terms, Latinos made up 20 percent of the state in 2000 and 29 percent in 2020. Put simply, roughly one in five Nevadans was Latino at the turn of the century, and by 2020 the figure was closer to three in ten.
Because most of the state’s residents live in the Las Vegas area, the statewide trend is a useful guide to what has happened in the valley. It is still a statewide figure, though, so treat it as context for Las Vegas rather than a precise city count.
Is the Latino community still growing quickly?
Growth continues, but it has slowed. The same analysis says the Latino population keeps rising as a share of the total, while the growth rate has fallen dramatically since 2000.
For 2010 to 2020, the rate was higher in Carson City (26 percent) and Washoe County (30 percent) than in Clark County (23 percent). That does not mean Las Vegas added few Latino residents. A lower percentage on a much larger base can still mean a large number of new neighbours.
- Clark County, which includes Las Vegas: 23 percent growth, 2010-2020
- Carson City: 26 percent growth, 2010-2020
- Washoe County, which includes Reno: 30 percent growth, 2010-2020
How to read Latino population statistics
Census numbers are built on a few definitions, and knowing them stops you from comparing the wrong figures. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity, not a race, so people of any race can be counted.
Geography matters too. Las Vegas city, Clark County and the wider metro area each give different totals, and a share quoted for one is not interchangeable with another.
- Check the place: city, county, metro area or state.
- Check the year: 2000, 2010 and 2020 are census counts, and later numbers are usually estimates.
- Check the unit: a number of people, a share of residents, or a growth rate.
The wider Nevada growth story
Latino growth is part of a larger state story. The Nevada Independent notes that Nevada’s population grew by 15 percent in the 2010s, after 35 percent growth from 2000 to 2010, which made it the fastest growing state in that earlier decade.
So the state as a whole has slowed, and the Latino growth rate has slowed with it. The Latino share still climbed from 20 percent to 29 percent, which means Latino residents grew faster than the population overall across the two decades.
That matters for anyone planning around the community, from schools to small businesses.
The same analysis also looked at education. It reports that 11 percent of Latinos have a bachelor’s degree, compared with 25 percent of whites and of multi-racial Nevadans. Those figures describe the state, not Las Vegas alone, but they show why a headcount is only one piece of the picture.
- Size: 890,257 Latinos statewide in 2020.
- Share: 29 percent of Nevada in 2020.
- Pace: growth slowing, but the share still rising.
When you read a Las Vegas story that quotes one number, ask which of these three it is describing. Size, share and pace answer different questions, and each one can move in a different direction in the same decade.
Why the numbers matter beyond the count
A population figure is the starting point for understanding everyday life. It shapes which languages appear on signs and in schools, which businesses open in neighbourhoods, and which community events grow large.
Family and faith traditions are part of that picture. Milestone celebrations such as quinceanera traditions show how the community’s customs are visible in the valley.
The numbers also have a past. The story of how Latino families built lives in the city is told in our piece on the history of latinos in las vegas.
Latino Nevadans are not one group. They have different countries of origin, immigration experiences, ages and levels of Spanish, which is why a single percentage can describe the community’s size but not its character.
Where to find current figures
For the newest numbers, go to the original publishers rather than repeating a figure from memory. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes county and city profiles, and the Nevada State Demographer and the state legislature’s research division publish local breakdowns.
- Look for Clark County or Las Vegas city tables, not only state totals.
- Note whether a figure is a census count or an estimate.
- Compare the same year across places before drawing conclusions.
Be careful with older articles and social posts that quote a round number without a year. A figure that was accurate for one census can mislead once a later count is published, so always note the date attached to any statistic you repeat.
It also helps to keep a small note of where each number came from. If you later find two sources that disagree, the place, the year and the definition are usually the reason, and a note makes the difference easy to trace.
This site is an independent educational publication. It is not connected to any agency named here, and it does not offer services or take enquiries.
Frequently asked questions
What share of Nevada is Latino?
Show answer
As of 2020, Latinos accounted for 29 percent of the state’s population, up from 20 percent in 2000, according to the Nevada Independent’s census analysis.
How many Latinos live in Nevada?
Show answer
The 2020 census figure cited by the Nevada Independent is 890,257, compared with 393,970 in 2000.
Is Clark County’s Latino population growing faster than the rest of the state?
Show answer
The cited comparisons do not establish the growth rate for the rest of Nevada as a whole. From 2010 to 2020 Clark County grew 23 percent, below Washoe County at 30 percent and Carson City at 26 percent.
Does the state figure equal the Las Vegas figure?
Show answer
No. The statewide share is a guide, but Las Vegas city and Clark County have their own census tables, so check those for local numbers.
