Nevada is a land of extremes, home to both expansive deserts and mountains, as well as vibrant towns like Las Vegas and Reno. Not every town in the region is a desirable place to live, though. Serious obstacles like high rates of crime, low salaries, inadequate education, and environmental problems face some of them. Various sources indicate that residents of these seven Nevada villages are escaping as quickly as possible.
This in-depth investigation identifies the fundamental causes of the population’s rising migration from seven Nevada villages, exposing the complicated problems these communities face:
1. North Las Vegas
Although it is a suburb of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas is not a glamorous area. With over 250,000 people living there, it is among the most hazardous cities in the state due to its 9.8 violent crime rate per 1,000 residents, which is higher than the 3.7 national average. In addition, the low median household income of $54,375 and the high poverty rate of 19.9% are present. For years, the city has been dealing with infrastructural issues, budget cuts, and layoffs.
2. Winnemucca
The population of Winnemucca, a small town in northern Nevada, is roughly 8,000. Situated in the center of the mining sector, its operations are highly reliant on changes in the price of gold. The town grows when prices are high, and busts when they are low. The inhabitants experience a great deal of instability and uncertainty as a result, dealing with job losses, foreclosures, and a lack of economic diversification. With a typical property value of $224,900, greater than the state average of $216,400, the community also has a high cost of living.
3. Tonopah
With 2,500 residents, Tonopah is another mining town in central Nevada. It is well-known for its ancient, mostly abandoned silver mines, which were formerly the richest in the state. With few facilities and attractions, the town exudes a desolate and remote feeling. Due to uranium, fluoride, and arsenic contamination in the groundwater, it also has problems with water quality. The town’s median household income is a low $40,625 and its poverty rate is high at 23.4%.
4. West Wendover
The population of West Wendover, a border community in eastern Nevada, is roughly 4,500. It shares a border with Wendover, Utah, and is well-known for the casinos and resorts that draw guests from surrounding states. But the town also has a dark side: with a violent crime rate of 12.3 per 1,000 residents, compared to the state average of 5.8, it is among the most violent in the state. In addition, the poverty rate is high at 20.6%, and the median household income is low at $41,875.
5. Pahrump
The town of Pahrump is located in southern Nevada and has roughly 36,000 residents. Situated roughly 60 miles west of Las Vegas, it’s frequently regarded as a retirement community for individuals seeking to leave the city behind. The municipality does, however, face numerous challenges, including a high unemployment rate of 10.9%, which is higher than the state average of 7.7%. In addition, it has a high crime rate: 6.6 violent crimes and 35.9 property crimes per 1,000 residents, respectively, compared to the national averages of 3.7 and 22.0, respectively. The town is also known for serving as a center for illicit activities like prostitution, drug use, and gambling.
6. Ely
The population of Ely, a community in eastern Nevada, is roughly 4,000. It’s one of the most remote settlements in the state, situated in the middle of nowhere. With an average annual temperature of 45.1°F and an average annual snowfall of 40.9 inches, it is also among the coldest locations in the state. The municipality has a high 18.9% poverty rate and a poor $38,750 median household income. The community is primarily dependent on tourism, which is sporadic and seasonal, and has limited economic options.
7. Fallon
Fallon is a town in western Nevada that is home to roughly 8,500 people. It is well-known for its farmland and military presence, and it is situated close to the Carson River. The town does, however, face a significant environmental issue since it has been the epicenter of a leukemia cluster, with a higher-than-average frequency of pediatric instances of the disease. Although the exact cause of the cluster is yet unknown, jet fuel, arsenic, and pesticides are a few potential causes. In addition, the town’s low median household income of $41,346 and high 17.4% poverty rate are both present.
Conclusion
Although the state of Nevada is full of natural beauty and diversity, certain communities in the state are not particularly desirable places to reside. These towns deal with several issues, including pollution, crime, poverty, instability, and isolation. These are a few of the causes behind the mass exodus from these towns as quickly as possible in search of more suitable areas to live in.