74 / 100

Nye County, NV

RANK #257 / 996  ·  POP 51,698  ·  NV

PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.7%

Nye County is growing steadily, with strong fundamentals across jobs, wages, and population.

[01] Why Nye County?

Tonopah, the county seat of Nye County, offers a glimpse into Nevada's rich mining history and is recognized as a top stargazing destination due to its remote location. This vast county, the largest in Nevada, is located in the south-central part of the state. Pahrump, the most populous town, sits about 60 miles west of Las Vegas, making commutes to the city possible for some residents. The community feel varies across the county's distinct northern and southern regions, with diverse natural scenery ranging from the hot springs and snowy mountains of Big Smokey Valley to the desert landscapes of Amargosa Valley, which borders Death Valley National Park. Outdoor recreation opportunities include hiking, off-roading, and exploring areas like the Alta Toquima Wilderness and Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park.

Life in Nye County often involves a connection to its natural surroundings and a more spread-out community lifestyle. Many residents own their homes, and the area attracts retirees. While some families commute to Las Vegas, local public transportation options are available in Pahrump and connect to other towns and even to Las Vegas and Reno via a bus service. The economy is supported by various sectors, including retail trade, construction, and accommodation and food services. Recent economic developments show a focus on renewable energy, with significant interest in solar power and potential for lithium extraction, particularly in areas like the Amargosa Valley. The county is also working to enhance recreational infrastructure, such as the Carvers Arena and Recreation Area.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
6.0x

Above national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+5.2%

Well above national median

Home Prices
+2.5%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
5.0

Favorable climate & terrain

Price/Rent
20x

Above national median (13x)

Housing is fairly valued at 6.0x relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Nye County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
51,698
+3.2% YoY
Median Household Income
$53,602
Median Home Value
$235,500
+2.55% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,004
Average Annual Pay
$68,204
+6.9% YoY
Employment
13,764
+1.8% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.2276
Near national average
Migration Inflow
3.74%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$405,000
Days on Market
153
Slower market
Months of Supply
8.7
Buyer's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
96.5%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
11.9%
Listings w/ Price Drops
20.6%

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$12,649M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Rock Valley Energy Center (Solar & Battery Storage)
Boulevard Associates, LLC
$3,200M Planned
Tidewater Solar Farm & Battery Energy Storage System
Tidewater Solar Farm, LLC
$2,400M Proposed
Amargosa West Solar Project & Battery Energy Storage System
US Solar Assets, LLC
$2,400M Proposed
Ashton Energy Center (Solar & Battery Storage)
Undisclosed
$2,049M Planned
Tarantula Canyon Energy Center Project (Solar & Battery Storage)
Boulevard Associates, LLC
$2,000M Proposed
Amargosa Phase 1 Solar-plus-Storage Project
NV Energy (Berkshire Hathaway Energy)
$600M Proposed

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +5.2% 85 percentile
Population Growth +3.2% 96 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.7% 80 percentile
Home Price Change +2.5% 66 percentile
Price/Rent 20x 10 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nye County, NV a good place to move to?

Nye County has a Boom Town Index score of 74/100, ranking #257 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.8% and a median household income of $53,602, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Nye County affordable?

The median home value in Nye County is $235,500 with median rent at $1,004/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2276, which is less affordable than the national average.

Is Nye County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +3.2% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.8%. Home values changed +2.5% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Nye County?

Yes — 3.74% of Nye County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Cape Girardeau County, MO 84 Hawkins County, TN 84 St. Joseph County, IN 84 Medina County, OH 84 Barry County, MI 84 St. Joseph County, MI 84 St. Lawrence County, NY 84 Miami County, OH 84