Henderson is a city in Clark County, Nevada, United States within the Las Vegas metropolitan area. It is the second largest city in Nevada, after Las Vegas, with an estimated population of 252,064 in the 2008 Census Bureau. It occupies the southeast end of the Las Vegas Valley at an elevation of approximately .

Government

The city received its charter from the State Legislature in 1953 establishing a Council/Manager form of government. Current City Leadership:

• Andy A. Hafen, Mayor
• Mark T. Calhoun, City Manager (appointed)
• Elizabeth Macias Quillin, City Attorney (appointed)
• Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk (appointed)
• Gerri Schroder, Councilwoman, Ward I
• Kathleen Boutin, Councilman, Ward II
• Jack K. Clark, Councilman, Ward III
• Steven D. Kirk, Councilman, Ward IV

Geography

Henderson is located at (36.03972, -114.98111).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 79.7 square miles (206.4 km²), all land.

As of 2006, according to the city, the city measured 94.5 square miles (244.7 km²).[18839]

The mountains that surround Henderson mostly have gentle slopes. The Mccullough Range is the range closest to the city and most of this range is covered by black rocks from a volcanic explosion millions of years ago. These mountains reach an average height of about . The landscape consists of desert with barely any water. The only water that is in the city is from washes like Duck Creek.

Demographics

According to the 2000 census, there were 175,381 people, 66,331 households, and 47,095 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,200.8 people per square mile (849.7/km²). There were 71,149 housing units at an average density of 892.8/sq mi (344.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.49% White, 3.76% African American, 0.70% Native American, 3.98% Asian, 0.42% Pacific Islander, 3.16% from other races, and 3.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.71% of the population.

There were 66,331 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 32.5% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age for the city was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $55,949, and the median income for a family was $61,176. The per capita income for the city was $26,815. About 3.9% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

The city is served by Citizens Area Transit (CAT) with its network of bus routes which run throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

Henderson is served by four major highways: Boulder Highway (State Route 582), which is the main thoroughfare connecting with Las Vegas and Boulder City; Lake Mead Parkway (State Route 564); Interstate 515 and Interstate 215. State Route 146, also known as Saint Rose Parkway, connects Interstate 15 near Sloan with Interstate 215 in Green Valley. This stretch is formerly a part of Lake Mead Parkway which is a direct link to Henderson for motorists traveling in and out of Southern California.

Henderson is home for the Henderson Executive Airport. The main airport for the metropolitan area is McCarran International Airport, located northwest of the city.

Street numbering is different within the city of Henderson than with the rest of the Las Vegas Valley. The center of Henderson lies within the intersection of Water Street and Lake Mead Parkway. The Henderson Police Department for years referred to Lake Mead Parkway (and its former name Lake Mead Drive) as "146", while Boulder Highway is often referred as "93", its former highway designation.

Henderson is linked with one railroad line, which is the Henderson spur of the Union Pacific Railroad. This line originally ended in Boulder City, but the southern terminus was later moved to near the vicinity of the "Interstate 215/Interstate 515 interchange".

History

The City of Henderson celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2003. The township of Henderson emerged in the 1940s to supply the country with magnesium, the "miracle metal" of World War II. Although "born in America's defense," Henderson's future after the war was uncertain until April 16, 1953 when city incorporation papers were signed.

Henderson was "born in America's defense" ten years prior to its incorporation during World War II with the building of the Basic Magnesium Plant. The plant supplied the US War Department with magnesium for incendiary munition casings and airplane engines, frames, and other parts. Mayor Jim Gibson's grandfather, Fred D. Gibson, was one of the original engineers sent to Great Britain to learn the secret of creating the "miracle metal" which would eventually help the United States and the allies win the war.However, in 1947, magnesium production was no longer necessary for defense and most of the 14,000 BMI employees moved away. Enrollment in the school system was reduced by two thirds and well over half the townsite houses, built to house plant workers, went vacant. In 1947 the United States War Asset Administration actually offered Henderson for sale as war surplus property.

In an effort to save the city, the Nevada Legislature spent a weekend visiting Henderson evaluating the possibility of state administration of Basic Magnesium. Within days of the visit, the legislators unanimously approved a bill giving the Colorado River Commission of Nevada the authority to purchase the industrial plants. Governor Vail Pittman signed the Bill on March 27, 1947, helping save Henderson from becoming war surplus property.

With the help of local industry, the City of Henderson, Nevada, was officially incorporated on April 16, 1953. On May 23, 1953, Henderson, with its population of 7,410, elected Dr. Jim French as the town's first Mayor. Originally about in size, the City quickly began to grow and flourish. Today, the City of Henderson has grown to and is the second largest city in Nevada. The city's official slogan "Henderson—a Place to Call Home" reflects a community that enjoys small town values while benefiting from big city efficiencies.

An increasing number of major shopping malls, movie theater complexes, restaurants and casino resorts offer residents a variety of choices for leisure time in Henderson. The city also borders Las Vegas and is not too far from the world-famous Las Vegas Strip. "Shakespeare in the Park" celebrated its tenth anniversary in 1996, a testament to Henderson's long standing support for the arts and cultural programs. The City also boasts the largest recreational facility – the Multigenerational Facility at Liberty Pointe – in Nevada as well as Nevada's only scenic Bird Preserve. The city supports a variety of other cultural events as well, many of which are held at the outdoor amphitheater, the largest one of its kind in Nevada.

Henderson is located just a few miles from McCarran International Airport; and Henderson Executive Airport, recently acquired by Clark County, is planned for major renovation and development as a reliever airport to McCarran.

Master-planned residential areas include Anthem, Anthem Country Club, Black Mountain Vistas, Calico Ridge, Champion Village, Green Valley, Green Valley Ranch, Inspirada, Lake Las Vegas, MacDonald Highlands, MacDonald Ranch, Madeira Canyon, Seven Hills, Sun City Anthem, Sun City MacDonald Ranch, Tuscany Residential Village, and Whitney Ranch.

Rocket fuel factory fire

In 1988, the PEPCON rocket fuel factory became engulfed in fire. There were multiple explosions, some measuring over 3 on the Richter earthquake scale. Two people were killed. The explosion spurred the development of Henderson from industrial to the largely residential area it is today. There are no signs of the Pepcon explosion today, and the site now consists mostly of office buildings.

The 20th Best Place to Live

In 2006, Money magazine ranked Henderson 20th in its annual list of the top 100 places to live in the U.S.

One of the Most Walkable Cities

Prevention magazine tapped Henderson in 2007 as the sixth best walking city in America ahead of San Diego, California and just behind Seattle, Washington.Henderson has more than of trails.

Film history

• Henderson, like its larger neighbor Las Vegas, is frequently featured on the TV drama, "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" as the location of residence of a victim or other person of interest, although the majority of the show's filming takes place in California.

• The "Real CSI" documentary featured the Henderson Police Department (HPD) Crime Scene Analysts/Investigators.

• The classic scene in the James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever in which Bond (portrayed by Sean Connery) nearly gets cremated alive was filmed at Palm Mortuary's Henderson location. Later in the movie he is dumped into a pipeline. The scene is near Trailer Estates on Lake Mead Blvd. The construction office for the Lake Mead to Las Vegas Water pipeline was located there during the building of the pipeline and the filming of the movie.

• America's Sweethearts, starring Julia Roberts and John Cusack, featured many scenes filmed at Lake Las Vegas.

Media

Henderson is served by two major daily newspapers, the Las Vegas Review-Journal and the Las Vegas Sun (they are both distributed together). There is also the weekly Henderson Home News, and the Henderson/Green Valley View. Fox Television affiliate KVVU is licensed to broadcast from Henderson.

Notable residents

Education

The Clark County School District provides elementary and secondary public education. Henderson is the location for 29 elementary schools, nine middle schools, and nine high schools. Five of the nine high schools are public schools. A tenth high school, Silverado High School, also serves parts of Henderson but is located in the unincorporated area of Clark County (Paradise).

Colleges and universities

Henderson is home to several colleges and universities. One is Touro University Nevada, a private Jewish university related to Touro College in New York City. Another is Nevada State College, a baccalaureate college in the Nevada System of Higher Education. The University of Southern Nevada, a private university which awards degrees in nursing, pharmacy, and business, is located in Henderson. The College of Southern Nevada, a community college based in Las Vegas, maintains a branch campus in Henderson. California's National University also maintains a campus in the city.

Several for-profit colleges also operate in the city, including The Art Institute of Las Vegas, Las Vegas College, and the Nevada branch of the ITT Technical Institute.

Points of interest

References

1. Lelande Quick, Miracle Metal from Nevada Hills, Desert Magazine, June 1944, pages 10-13
2. MONEY Magazine: Best places to live 2006: Henderson, NV snapshot
3. Top 100 Best Walker-Friendly Cities - Prevention.com
4. [1]
5. Craig McLean talks to the Killers' singer Brandon Flowers | | guardian.co.uk Arts
6. Las Vegas Business Press :: News : Inspirada brings 'New Urbanism' feel to Henderson community
7. Media Info Center
8. http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/flavor-flav-and-flavor-of-love-winner-nikki-alexander-just-friends-1007922.php
9. 72os.com - Poker League, Poker Community - David Sklansky - Player Profile

External links

• City of Henderson, Nevada
• Official State of Nevada Tourism Site
• Henderson District Public Libraries
• Henderson Chamber of Commerce
• Economic Development Division
• Henderson Nevada Cultural Arts & Tourism Department