Reno, Nevada
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Reno is the county seat of Washoe County, Nevada. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 180,480, making it the third largest city in Nevada, after Las Vegas and Henderson. Reno lies 26 miles north of the Nevada state capital, Carson City, and 22 miles north-east of Lake Tahoe in the high desert. Reno shares its eastern border with the city of Sparks. Reno, known as "The Biggest Little City in the World" is famous for its casinos, and is the birthplace of the gaming corporation Harrah's.
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Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 179.6 km² (69.3 mi²). 179.0 km² (69.1 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.32% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 180,480 people, 73,904 households, and 41,681 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,008.3/km² (2,611.4/mi²). There are 79,453 housing units at an average density of 443.9/km² (1,149.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 77.46% White, 2.58% African American, 1.26% Native American, 5.29% Asian, 0.56% Pacific Islander, 9.26% from other races, and 3.60% from two or more races. 19.18% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 73,904 households out of which 27.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.5% are married couples living together, 10.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 43.6% are non-families. 32.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.38 and the average family size is 3.06.
In the city the population is spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 11.8% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 104.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 104.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $40,530, and the median income for a family is $49,582. Males have a median income of $33,204 versus $26,763 for females. The per capita income for the city is $22,520. 12.6% of the population and 8.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 16.3% of those under the age of 18 and 7.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
History
As early as the 1850s a few pioneers settled in the Truckee Meadows, a relatively fertile valley through which the Truckee River made its way from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake. In addition to subsistence farming, these early residents could pick up a bit of business from travellers along the California Trail, which followed the Truckee westward as far as Donner Lake, where the formidable obstacle of the Sierras began.
Gold had been discovered in the vicinity of Virginia City in 1850 and a modest mining community developed, but the discovery of the silver in 1859 led to one of the greatest mining bonanzas of all time as the Comstock Lode spewed forth treasure. The Comstock's closest connection to the outside world lay in the Truckee Meadows.
To provide the necessary connection between Virginia City and the California Trail, Charles Fuller built a log toll bridge across the Truckee River in 1859. A small community to service travellers soon grew up near the bridge. After two years, Fuller sold the bridge to Myron Lake, who continued to develop the community with the addition of a grist mill, kiln, and livery stable to the hotel and eating house. The tiny community acquired the name Lake's Crossing.
In 1868, the Central Pacific Railroad, building track across the west to connect with the Union Pacific, building from the east, and form the First transcontinental railroad, reached the Truckee Meadows. Myron Lake, realizing what a rail connection would mean for business, deeded land to the Central Pacific in exchange for its promise to build a depot at Lake's Crossing. Once the railroad station was established, the town of Reno officially came into being on May 13, 1868. The new town was named in honor of Major General Jesse L. Reno, a Union officer killed in the American Civil War. (Had Jesse Reno not changed the spelling of his name early in life, presumably the biggest little city would today be Renault, Nevada.)
The extension of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad to Reno in 1872 provided another big boost to the new city's economy. In the following decades, Reno continued to grow and prosper as a business and agricultural center and became the principal settlement on the transcontinental railroad between Sacramento and Salt Lake City. However, political power in Nevada remained with the mining communities, first Virginia City and later Tonopah and Goldfield.
In 1886, the state university, previously only a preparatory school, moved from Elko in remote northeastern Nevada to a site north of downtown Reno, where it became a full-fledged state college. The university's first building, Morrill Hall, still stands on the historic quad at the campus' southern end. The University of Nevada, Reno grew slowly over the decades but currently has an enrollment of approximately 15,000, most of whom hail from within Nevada. Among its specialties are mining engineering, agriculture, journalism, and the only Basque Studies program in the nation. It also houses the only Judicial college in the nation.
As the mining boom waned early in the twentieth century, Nevada's centers of political and business activity shifted to the non-mining communities, especially Reno and Las Vegas, and today the former mining metropolises stand as little more than ghost towns. Despite this, Nevada still accounts for over 11% of world gold production.
Nevada's legalization of casino gambling in 1931 and the passage of liberal divorce laws created another boom for Reno. The divorce business eventually died as the other states fell in line by passing their own laws easing the requirements for divorce, but gambling continued as a major Reno industry.
Education
Universities
- University of Nevada, Reno, is the oldest university in the state of Nevada.
Gaming Industry
At one time, Reno was the gambling capital of the world. There are several reasons for the decline of tourism in the area, among them the fast rise of Las Vegas, the buying-out of Reno Air by American Airlines and the increase of Indian gaming in California. These developments have shown little impact on Las Vegas, but Northern Nevada (Reno and Stateline especially) has experienced a noticeable drop in business. Downtown casinos like the Comstock and the Sundowner had to shut their doors, while the bigger casinos experience slow days during the week. Only during weekends, holidays and special events does Reno see an increase in business.
In an effort to bring more tourism to the area, Reno holds several events throughout the year, all of which have been extremely successful. They include Hot August Nights, Street Vibrations, the Reno Rib Cookoff (actually held in Sparks), a Cinco de Mayo celebration, bowling tournaments and the Reno Air Races.
Transportation
The Truckee River runs through town, as does the Union Pacific Railroad, Interstate 80 (east-west) and US 395 (north-south).
The city is served by Reno/Tahoe International Airport.
Culture
Trivia
- Reno (as New Reno) is a location in CRPG Fallout 2.
- Reno is the false background for the hit television show, Reno 911!, that has aired on Comedy Central since 2003.
External links
- City of Reno (http://www.cityofreno.com/)
- Reno Sparks Chamber of Commerce (http://www.reno-sparkschamber.org/)
- Visitors Guide to Reno (http://www.reno.com/)
- Hot August Nights (http://www.hotaugustnights.net/)
| Nevada | 
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| Regions: Great Basin | Mojave Desert | Lake Tahoe | Las Vegas Valley | |
| Largest cities: Carson City | Henderson | Las Vegas | North Las Vegas | Reno | Sparks | |
| Counties: Churchill | Clark | Douglas | Elko | Esmeralda | Eureka | Humboldt | Lander | Lincoln | Lyon | Mineral | Nye | Pershing | Storey | Washoe | White Pine | |