MESQUITE, NEVADA

'Mesquite' is a city in Clark County, Nevada, United States, adjacent to the Arizona state line and 77 miles (124 km) northeast of Las Vegas. As of the 2000 federal census, it had a population of 9,389, with a 2005 census estimate of 13,523. Clark County Comprehensive Planning department estimated a population of 18,012 as of July 1, 2006.^[1]
The city is located in the Virgin River valley. It has boomed as a casino and resort getaway and retirement community.

Contents

History

Geography

Demographics

Education

Media

Travel

References

External links

History

Mesquite’s first name was ''Mesquite Flat'', settled by early Mormon pioneers. The community was finally established on the third attempt after having been flooded out from the waters of the Virgin River. The name was later shortened to Mesquite and the city was incorporated in May 1984.
Mesquite, like nearby Bunkerville, had its origins in farming. The Peppermill casino, which opened in the 1970s, drove Mesquite’s diversified economy. In the mid-1990s, other casino resorts opened. Mesquite was marketed as a getaway from Las Vegas and a more laid-back gambling option for out-of-state visitors. Its population continues to grow steadily as it is impacted by the booms from nearby Las Vegas and St. George, Utah.

Geography

Mesquite is located at (36.802582, -114.082168).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.6 sq mi (40.5 km²). Land comprises 15.3 sq mi (39.7 km²), and 0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²) of it (2.17%) is water.

Demographics

As of the federal census of 2000, there were 9,389 people, 3,498 households, and 2,571 families residing in the city. The population density was 613.3/sq mi (236.8/km²). There were 4,442 housing units at an average density of 290.1/sq mi (112.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.30% White, 24.75% Hispanic or Latino, 0.65% African American, 0.98% Native American, 1.27% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 14.56% from other races, and 2.17% from two or more races.
There were 3,498 households, out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.8% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.5% were non-families. Of all households, 20.4% were made up of individuals and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the city, the age of the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 103.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,392, and the median income for a family was $42,941. Males had a median income of $27,083 versus $24,402 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,191. About 6.2% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.3% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public education is provided by the Clark County School District. There are four schools in the valley:

School	Location	Grades	Mascot
J.L. Bowler Elementary	Bunkerville	K–5	Bighorns
Virgin Valley Elementary	Mesquite	K–5	Bulldogs
Charles A. Hughes Middle School	Mesquite	6–8	Hawks
Virgin Valley High School	Mesquite	9–12	Bulldogs

Until 2002, when the new middle school was finished, Virgin Valley High School included grades 7 through 12.

Media

In 1987, Virgin Valley’s first newspaper, ''The Desert Echo'', began distribution out of a local home on Riverside Road. ''The Desert Valley Times'' emerged by 1995, and ''The Desert Echo'' merged with ''The Desert Valley Times'' in 1998. By this time, St. George-based ''The Spectrum'' bought and distributed ''The Desert Valley Times''. In 2006, Mesquite Media Group (MMG) started ''Mesquite Local News''.

Travel

Mesquite is stopping point for those traveling along I-15 between Salt Lake City, Yellowstone National Park, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Mesquite Airport provides facilities for general aviation.

References

1. Clark County Demographic Department

External links

★ Official City Website

★ Retire in Mesquite, Nevada

★ The Desert Valley Times Web Page

★ Mesquite Local Web Page

★ Virgin Valley High School Web Page