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Pahrump, Nevada | |
|---|---|
| Town of Pahrump | |
.jpg) Aerial view of Pahrump | |
 Seal | |
| Motto: "Past and Present Working Towards a New and Better Future" | |
 Location of Pahrump inNye County | |
  Pahrump Location of Pahrump in Nevada and the US Show map of Nevada Pahrump Pahrump (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Coordinates:36°12′31″N116°0′43″W / 36.20861°N 116.01194°W /36.20861; -116.01194 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Nevada |
| County |  Nye |
| Government | |
| • Type | County commission |
| • Town Manager/County Manager | Timothy Sutton |
| Area | |
• Total | 328.94 sq mi (851.96 km2) |
| • Land | 328.80 sq mi (851.59 km2) |
| • Water | 0.14 sq mi (0.37 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,697 ft (822 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 44,738 |
| • Density | 136.1/sq mi (52.53/km2) |
| Demonym | Pahrumpian |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 89041, 89048, 89060, 89061 |
| Area code | 775 |
| FIPS code | 32-53800 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0845593 |
| Website | www |
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Pahrump (/pəˈrʌmp/pə-RUMP) is anunincorporated town located at the southernmost tip ofNye County, Nevada, United States,[3] about 50 miles (80 km) west ofLas Vegas (roughly an hour away by driving distance). Pahrump lies adjacent to the Nevada–California border and the area had a population of 44,738 as of the 2020 census.
Pahrump was originally inhabited by theSouthern Paiute. It was slowly inhabited by settlers in the late 19th century. They reportedly chose the name for Pahrump after the originalSouthern Paiute namePah-Rimpi, or "Water Rock," so named because of the abundantartesian wells in the valley. Because of the development of those wells, recent inhabitants ofPahrump Valley established a number of largeranch-style holdings, mostly over 1,000 acres (400 ha) in size. On the ranches,alfalfa andcotton were grown, andlivestock were raised.
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Until the 1960s, Pahrump had notelephone service except a radio transmitter phone in a phone booth next to the small market, and no paved roads accessed the Pahrump Valley. AsLas Vegas grew, the Pahrump region also saw more real estate development and population growth. This led to the introduction of telephone service and the construction of a paved highway between Las Vegas and Pahrump during the late 1960s. Later, this road (NV 160) was extended from Pahrump northward toUS 95, nearAmargosa Valley. A second paved road (NV 372) was introduced that connected Pahrump to neighboringShoshone, California, which provided a link to theDeath Valley area, as well as a shorter route toLos Angeles, California. In the fifties and sixties, there was a two-room elementary school. High school students commuted to Shoshone. In 1974, Pahrump's first high school, Pahrump Valley High School, was constructed.[4]
Pahrump is an archetypal example of anexurb (a residential region beyond suburbs). Due to the necessity of conservation, almost all significant agriculture ended in the valley,[5] and over the years the surface aquifers have been drained. Residential housing growth in Pahrump was partly responsible for Nye County ranking among the fastest growing counties nationwide in 2005.[6]
Las Vegas casino ownerTed Binion buried a large quantity ofsilver in a secret underground vault in Pahrump. In 1998, Binion died under suspicious circumstances, and one of those accused of murdering Binion was apprehended while digging up the vault in Pahrump. A book about the Binion murder trial (and Las Vegas poker) isPositively Fifth Street byJames McManus.
On November 15, 2006, the Pahrump town board voted for an ordinance declaring English the official language of business, limiting the display of foreign flags, and denying housing assistance or other welfare benefits to illegal immigrants.[6] A measure in the ordinance required an American flag to be displayed above any other flag, regardless of what organization, nation, or government it represented. Then-county Sheriff Tony DeMeo said he would not attempt to enforce the ordinance,[6] which was repealed four months later following negative publicity.[7]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, thecensus-designated place of Pahrump has a total area of 297.9 sq mi (771.5 km2), all of which is land. By area, it is the largest CDP in the contiguous United States, although it ranks only eleventh nationally, since the largest ten are all in Alaska. The area lies in theMojave Desert.
Summers in Pahrump are generally very hot and dry, with occasional pushes of monsoonal moisture beginning in early July. Being at a similar elevation to Las Vegas, daytime highs in summer average within a few degrees lower than that of Las Vegas. Record highs are similar between the two cities as well. A typical day during June through August brings temperatures around 100 °F (38 °C), and occasionally 110 °F (43 °C). Nighttime temperatures, however, are noticeably cooler. This is due to the lack of anurban heat island in Pahrump, allowing for intense radiative cooling after sundown. As a result, summer nights are pleasantly warm, bottoming out in the mid-60s or 70s °F (around 20 °C). Pahrump's location in a valley leads to large diurnal temperature ranges, typically 30 °F (17 °C) but occasionally 40 °F (22 °C). By late August and early September, the sweltering summer heat noticeably tempers down. September is the gateway to fall, which brings very pleasant weather. October highs are generally 80 °F (27 °C) and nighttime temperatures in the 50s °F (low teens °C). Due to its elevation, Pahrump is protected from the searing summer temperatures experienced in the nearbyDeath Valley.
Like other locations in the Mojave desert, winters are typically mild, with occasional pushes of cold air from the north. Daytime highs average from the mid-50s and 60s °F (10s °C), but low temperatures hover around freezing for most nights between December and February. Spring brings pleasantly warm temperatures and cool evenings. Like other locations in the Mojave desert, this is the windiest time of year. Snowfall is rare in Pahrump, but there is generally at least one snow day per year.
| Climate data for Pahrump, Nevada (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1914–1926, 1949–1952, 1958–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 79 (26) | 86 (30) | 91 (33) | 98 (37) | 107 (42) | 115 (46) | 117 (47) | 115 (46) | 111 (44) | 103 (39) | 88 (31) | 77 (25) | 117 (47) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 69.5 (20.8) | 73.8 (23.2) | 81.4 (27.4) | 90.7 (32.6) | 98.0 (36.7) | 106.0 (41.1) | 109.8 (43.2) | 107.5 (41.9) | 102.8 (39.3) | 93.6 (34.2) | 80.5 (26.9) | 68.0 (20.0) | 110.6 (43.7) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 58.0 (14.4) | 61.8 (16.6) | 68.7 (20.4) | 75.9 (24.4) | 84.9 (29.4) | 95.3 (35.2) | 101.3 (38.5) | 100.0 (37.8) | 93.1 (33.9) | 80.8 (27.1) | 67.3 (19.6) | 56.7 (13.7) | 78.6 (25.9) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 42.9 (6.1) | 46.8 (8.2) | 53.5 (11.9) | 60.0 (15.6) | 68.9 (20.5) | 78.0 (25.6) | 84.6 (29.2) | 82.8 (28.2) | 75.2 (24.0) | 62.8 (17.1) | 50.4 (10.2) | 41.8 (5.4) | 62.3 (16.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 27.8 (−2.3) | 31.8 (−0.1) | 38.3 (3.5) | 44.1 (6.7) | 52.9 (11.6) | 60.8 (16.0) | 67.9 (19.9) | 65.6 (18.7) | 57.3 (14.1) | 44.8 (7.1) | 33.5 (0.8) | 26.9 (−2.8) | 46.0 (7.8) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 18.7 (−7.4) | 22.3 (−5.4) | 27.7 (−2.4) | 33.5 (0.8) | 41.4 (5.2) | 49.6 (9.8) | 59.4 (15.2) | 57.1 (13.9) | 47.4 (8.6) | 34.4 (1.3) | 22.4 (−5.3) | 17.1 (−8.3) | 15.4 (−9.2) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 4 (−16) | 6 (−14) | 15 (−9) | 18 (−8) | 22 (−6) | 34 (1) | 46 (8) | 42 (6) | 34 (1) | 15 (−9) | 7 (−14) | −2 (−19) | −2 (−19) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 0.71 (18) | 0.91 (23) | 0.60 (15) | 0.30 (7.6) | 0.17 (4.3) | 0.08 (2.0) | 0.36 (9.1) | 0.20 (5.1) | 0.37 (9.4) | 0.38 (9.7) | 0.23 (5.8) | 0.66 (17) | 4.97 (126) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 3.6 | 4.0 | 3.3 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 26.1 |
| Source:NOAA[8][9] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 7,424 | — | |
| 2000 | 24,631 | 231.8% | |
| 2010 | 36,441 | 47.9% | |
| 2020 | 44,738 | 22.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] | |||
As of thecensus of 2000,[11] there were 24,631 people, 10,153 households, and 7,127 families residing in thecensus-designated place (CDP) of Pahrump. The population density was 82.7 inhabitants per square mile (31.9/km2). There were 11,651 housing units at an average density of 39.1 per square mile (15.1/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.1%White, 0.1%African American, 1.1%Native American, 1.4%Asian, 0.37%Pacific Islander, 2.27% fromother races, and 2.6% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 12.9% of the population.
There were 10,153 households, out of which 14.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.2% weremarried couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 10.6% from 25 to 44, 28.9% from 45 to 64, and 55.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.4 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $34,860, and the median income for a family was $39,812. Males had a median income of $35,862 versus $21,586 for females. Theper capita income for the CDP was $17,708. About 7.3% of families and 10.7% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 14.8% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over. Nye County receives an unusually large 29 percent of its income from federal benefits which amounts to $9,408 for each resident of the county.
Pahrump has an unincorporated town status, with a limited government that manages land-use planning, recreation, and fire, while leaving most services to Nye County. In 2012, Pahrump voted to disband the Town Board form of government in favor of an advisory board under the County Commissioners. It was finalized in 2014 when the incumbent elected members' terms expired. The Town Board was disbanded as of January 2015.[12][13]
Gregory Hafen II (R) represents the 36th district for theNevada Assembly.[14]
Public education in Pahrump is administered by theNye County School District.[15] The district headquarters is in Pahrump.[16]
Pahrump has apublic library.[17]
The county is in the service area ofGreat Basin College.[18]
Notable businesses in the area include theSpring Mountain Motor Sports Ranch.Golden Entertainment operates three casinos in Pahrump.
Two legalbrothels,Sheri's Ranch andChicken Ranch, are located in Pahrump. Due to their proximity toLas Vegas, they tend to be more expensive than other legal brothels in Nevada.
Pahrump is served by Prime-TV affiliateKPVM-TV 25[19][20] It has ten digital channels 25.1 (PrimeTV), 25.2 (thisTV, 25.3America's Voice, 25.4OANN, 25.5Shop LC, 25.6Home Shopping Network, 25.7 conservative talk radio, 25.8 country, 25.9Nuestra Vision, and 25.10Fun Roads.[21][22] Pahrump is also home toKACP 103.1 FM which airs acountry music format.[23]
Pahrump Valley Transportation is the only public transportation in Pahrump. However, there is also VetRANS, a transportation service for veterans. Both services run by appointment, and offer transport to certain destinations in Las Vegas. Salt Lake Express serves Pahrump on its bus route from Las Vegas to Reno.Eastern Sierra Transit Authority provides bus service from Pahrump toTecopa, California.[24]
Residents, and those visiting Pahrump, utilizeMcCarran International Airport in the Las Vegas area, approximately 60 miles east of Pahrump. A private airport,Calvada Meadows Airport, also serves Pahrump, however, aircraft must request permission before landing at this small airport.Enterprise Rent-A-Car operates a local branch for vehicle rental needs. Pahrump has taxi service operating 24 hours a day.
Pahrump was the hometown of author and radio personalityArt Bell.[25] He was known for foundingCoast to Coast AM, an overnight radio talk show mainly about paranormal subjects, conspiracies, and other oddities that he broadcast from his home studio.[26]
Michael Jackson purchased a home in the area in 2008, where he briefly had a homestudio andhome schooled his three children.[27]
Pahrump is the home ofRonald Wayne, the third co-founder ofApple Computer along withSteve Jobs andSteve Wozniak. Wayne relinquished his equity in Apple for $800 in 1976;[28][29] he now lives a quiet lifestyle in Pahrump, sellingstamps and rarecoins.[30]
Retired actressJune Kenney lived in Pahrump from 2010 to her death in 2021.[31]
Musical groupEscape the Fate was founded in, and originally from, Pahrump,[32][33] before the band relocated to Las Vegas.
Infamous "Hollywood madam"Heidi Fleiss moved to Pahrump in 2005.[34]
Melvin Dummar, who claimed to have saved the life ofHoward Hughes and who was named in a disputed will as Hughes's main beneficiary, lived for a while in Pahrump and died there in 2018.[35]
1992 Libertarian Vice Presidential candidateNancy Lord lived in Pahrump for a number of years.
Althoughbrothel ownerDennis Hof died in nearbyCrystal, he referred to himself in political ads as "The Trump of Pahrump," a sobriquet he credited toDonald Trump advisorRoger Stone (an early supporter of Hof).[36]
Libertarian writer and filmmakerJ. Neil Schulman, author ofAlongside Night (1978) and writer/producer/director of the indie filmAlongside Night,[37] lived in Pahrump. Schulman was the first to produce a film that featured Pahrump, in the script ofLady Magdalene's, which starredNichelle Nichols as the owner of the titlebrothel.
484 S. West Street Pahrump, NV
Recently the singer had been living in Pahrump, Nev., an unincorporated town 60 miles west of Las Vegas, where he had been writing new songs in a home studio and having his three children (ages 11, 10 and 6) home-schooled.
Wayne left Apple for only $800. "What can I say? You make a decision based on your understanding of the circumstances, and you live with it," he said.
Formed in Pahrump, Nevada in 2004, Escape The Fate received their first big break when they won a local radio contest judged by My Chemical Romance.
Municipalities and communities ofNye County, Nevada,United States | ||
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| Unincorporated towns |  | |
| Other unincorporated communities | ||
| Indian reservations | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
