Henderson, Nevada

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Coordinates: 36°14′05″N, 115°1′31″W
Henderson, Nevada
Nickname: "A place to call home"
Location of Henderson in Nevada
County	Clark
Mayor	James B. Gibson
Area
- City	206.4 km²
- Land	206.4 km²
- Water	0.0 km²
Elevation	538 m
Population
- City (2005)	224,829
- Density	2200.8/km²
- Metro	310,000
Time zone	PST (UTC-8)
- Summer (DST)	PDT (UTC-7)
Website: http://www.cityofhenderson.com/index.php

Henderson is a city in Clark County, Nevada, five miles southeast of Las Vegas. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 175,381. The latest Census estimate (2004) placed the population at 224,829. The city's planning and development department estimates the population at 249,800 as of 2006.

1 City Government
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 History
- 4.1 Film History
5 Education
6 Points of interest
7 External links

[edit] City Government

The city received its charter from the State Legislature in 1965 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)
Amanda M. Cyphers, Councilman, Ward I
Andy A. Hafen, Councilman, Ward II
Jack K. Clark, Councilman, Ward III
Steven D. Kirk, Councilman, Ward IV

[edit] Geography

Henderson is located at 36°1′45″N, 115°1′31″W (36.029249, -115.025286)^GR1.

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.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 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.

[edit] History

The City of Henderson celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2006. 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 actually "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 own 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 town?s 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 more than 94.5 square miles and is the second largest city in Nevada. Henderson is often referred to as having small town values with big city efficiencies. 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. "Shakespeare in the Park" celebrated its tenth anniversary in 1996, a testament to the community'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 also located just a few miles from McCarran International Airport, and the Henderson Executive Airport, recently acquired by Clark County, is planned for major renovation and development as a reliever airport to McCarran. With the recent completion of I-215 into Henderson, the City is more accessible than ever.

Of all the cities within Clark County, Henderson has perhaps the brightest future for Southern Nevada. Master-planned residential areas, progressive business development, new roads and public works projects, outstanding parks and recreation facilities and schools serve to make Henderson, Nevada one of the nation's most dynamic communities, preserving President Kennedy's "city of destiny" vision so many years ago and laying the foundation for 50 more years as one of the nation's best and brightest stars. [1]

[edit] Film History

Henderson 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", 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".

[edit] 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 and Nevada State College.

[edit] Points of interest

Acacia Demonstration Gardens
Art Emporium
Clark County Museum
Ethel M Botanical Cactus Gardens
Ethel M Chocolates Factory
Galleria at Sunset
Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa, and Casino
Fiesta Henderson
Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve and Water Reclamation Facility
Henderson Pavilion
Lake Las Vegas Resort
Sunset Station Hotel and Casino
Veteran's Wall
Wildhorse Golf Club
Black Mountain Recreation Center

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