Henderson is a city in Clark County, Nevada, United States, seven miles southeast of Las Vegas. As of the 2000 census, the
city had a total population of 175,381,
with a 2006 Census estimate placing the population at 240,614. The Clark County
Comprehensive Planning Department estimated the population to be 256,390 as of July
1,2006.[1] This makes
it the second largest city in Nevada displacing Reno for the #2 spot.
City Government
The city received its charter from the State Legislature in 1953 establishing a Council/Manager
form of government. Current City Leadership is as follows:
- James B. Gibson, Mayor
- Philip D. Speight, City Manager (appointed)
- Shauna M. Hughes, City Attorney (appointed)
- Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk (appointed)
- Gerri Schroder, Councilwoman, Ward I
- Andy A. Hafen, Councilman, Ward II
- Jack K. Clark, Councilman, Ward III
- Steven D. Kirk, Councilman, Ward IV
Geography
Henderson is located at 36°2′23″N, 114°58′52″W (36.03972,
-114.98111)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area
of 206.4 km² (79.7 mi²). 206.4 km² (79.7 mi²) of
it is land and none of it is covered by water.
As of 2006, according to the city, the city measured 244.7 km² (94.5 mi²). [4]
The mountains that surround the city 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 3,800 feet. The landscape consists of desert with barely any
water. The only water that is in the city is from washes like Duck Creek.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 175,381 people, 66,331 households, and 47,095 families
residing in the city. The population density was 849.7/km² (2,200.8/mi²). There were
71,149 housing units at an average density of 344.7/km² (892.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.49% 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 10.71% 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 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. Males had a median
income of $42,263 versus $30,483 for females. 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.
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.[citation needed] The PEPCON disaster took place on
May 4, 1988 near the town.
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 munitions and airplane parts. Mayor Jim
Gibson's father, Fred 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 towns first Mayor. Originally about 13 square miles
in size, the City quickly began to grow and flourish. Today, the City of Henderson has grown to 94 square miles 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 so its 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.[5]
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.
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.[2]
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[3].
Henderson has more than 37 miles of trails[4].
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 shows filming takes place in California.
- The now-demolished theme park "Old Vegas" (briefly renamed "Westworld"), which was located in Henderson, was used for several
outdoor scenes for the Western TV series "Gunsmoke". The property is now the site of a
housing development, also named "Old Vegas".
- The "Real CSI" documentary (or 'docudrama' as the crew called it), a 6-part series, was filmed in Henderson, Nevada for Lyon
Television from London. The Lyon TV crew members were given unprecedented access to crime scenes while Henderson Police
Department (HPD) Crime Scene Analysts/Investigators processed the crime scenes and evidence, and while Officers and Detectives
encountered, interviewed, and arrested suspects. Produced/photographed by Julie Lei and Tom McCarthy of Lion TV, with additional
major footage by Sarah Harbin. The series has been shown on London's Channel 5, with repeats shown numerous times on other
channels in the U.K. The Lyon TV crew also filmed and produced two one-hour episodes of "Las Vegas CSU", which featured one of
the Henderson CSI team members, as well as several CSIs and Forensic Scientists from LVMPD in Las Vegas. Each of the episodes
have been shown on Court TV in the U.S. several times.
Famous Residents
Among the well-known figures calling Henderson home are:
- Screen legend Tony Curtis
- Hunter Tylo: On October 19, 2007, Tylo's second-oldest child, Michael, drowned in the
family pool in Henderson, Nevada. As a result, Tylo asked to be released from her contract by
showrunner Bradley Bell and he accepted her request.
Her last airdate is not known at this time, and the role will not be recasted. (SoapOperaDigest, Oct. 19, 2007)
- Singer Celine Dion
- The Killers vocalist Brandon
Flowers[5]
- Singer Janet Jackson
- eBay founder Pierre Omidyar[6]
- Nancy Walton Laurie, daughter of Wal-Mart
co-founder James "Bud" Walton[7]
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 public high school, Silverado High School, also serves parts of Henderson but is
located in the unincorporated area of Clark County (Paradise).
Some attempts and thoughts to split the Clark Count School Districts into four independent regions: North Las Vegas School
District, Las Vegas School District, Henderson School District, and Boulder City School District; or N.E., N.W., S.W., and S.E
(Which would include Henderson)School Districts.
Henderson is home to Touro University Nevada, University of Southern Nevada, and Nevada State
College.
Points of interest
References
External links
Coordinates:
36.029249° N 115.025286°
W
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