RANK #752 / 996 · POP 486,674 · NV
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.3%
Washoe County, Nevada, is often recognized for Reno, "The Biggest Little City in the World," which serves as its county seat. Located in western Nevada, bordering California and Oregon, the county offers a mix of urban and high desert rural settings. Commuting within the Reno-Sparks area is generally manageable, with public transportation options including fixed-route buses and on-demand microtransit services. The community benefits from its proximity to the Sierra Nevada mountains, providing access to outdoor recreation like hiking, camping, and water sports at places such as Washoe Lake and numerous regional parks and open spaces. The diverse landscape includes alpine forests and desert valleys.
Life in Washoe County attracts a variety of residents, including families and those seeking outdoor access. The Washoe County School District serves approximately 64,000 students across 96 schools in Reno, Sparks, and other communities. The economy is experiencing growth, with job increases outpacing the national rate in recent years. Key sectors driving this economic activity include warehousing, storage, and hospitality, alongside investments in technology and renewable energy. The region's quality of life and natural amenities are often cited as factors attracting new businesses and residents.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Prices declining
Prices detached from rents
Housing is fairly valued at 6.6x relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Tract Peru Ridge Data Center
Tract
|
$1,150M | Planned |
|
EdgeCore Reno Campus
EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure
|
$750M | Under Construction |
|
Dodge Flat II Solar Project with BESS
NextEra Energy Resources LLC
|
$268M | Proposed |
|
North Valleys Energy Storage
Cypress Creek Renewables
|
$100M | Planned |
|
Turquoise Solar
McCarthy Building Companies
|
$60M | Completed |
|
Amazon South Reno Delivery Station
Amazon
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Washoe County has a Boom Town Index score of 24/100, ranking #752 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.8% and a median household income of $81,531, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Washoe County is $460,000 with median rent at $1,401/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1772, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.4% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.8%. Home values changed -0.5% in the past 12 months.