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'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.

Contents

City Government

Geography

Demographics

History

Rocket Fuel Factory Fire

Best Place to Live

One of the Most Walkable Cities

Film History

Education

Points of interest

External links

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 (36.03972, -114.98111).
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). [1]
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 census 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. 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 more than 94.5 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. "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.
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.[2]

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, 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.

★ The most famous Henderson residents are screen legend Tony Curtis, Celine Dion and Janet Jackson.

★ 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.

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

★ 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

★ The District at Green Valley Ranch

★ Fiesta Henderson

★ Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve and Water Reclamation Facility

★ Henderson Pavilion

★ Lake Las Vegas Resort

★ Sunset Station Hotel and Casino

★ Towbin Dodge, Joshua "Chop" Towbin's dealership featured on A&E sitcom King of Cars

★ Veteran's Wall

★ Wildhorse Golf Club

★ Black Mountain Recreation Center

External links

★ City of Henderson, Nevada

★ Henderson City Nevada

★ Henderson District Public Libraries

★ Henderson Chamber of Commerce

★ Economic Development Division