Clark County’s population is expected to hit 3 million by 2045, according to new projections from the UNLV Center for Business and Economic Research.
The county, already home to 2.3 million people — or about 70% of Nevada’s total population — continues to see the state’s primary growth. The forecast is prompting both public agencies and private industry to plan for increased demand on key resources, especially water.
In a statement, Andrew Woods, director of the U.S. Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), said Southern Nevada was already adapting.
“Thanks in part to forecast-informed planning, Southern Nevada has reduced its use of Colorado River water by 26% over the past 20 years, while accommodating 900,000 new residents,” Woods noted.
The forecast also anticipates significant demographic and economic changes. Hispanic residents are expected to make up about 40% of the population by 2045, up from about 34% today. And by 2060, nearly one in four residents will be 65 or older.
These population shifts are expected to impact the job market as well. Healthcare is projected to surpass retail as Southern Nevada’s second-largest employment sector.
