How does Clark County (Las Vegas) compare with Washoe County (Reno) in such areas as population, area, number of casinos, gambling revenue, win percentage, etc.?
In all respects, as is easily demonstrated, Clark County is bigger and more crowded, has more casinos, higher gambling revenues, and a higher win percentage. The only comparisons in which Washoe is higher are in the win percentage and the cost of living.
Clark County is 8,061 square miles, slightly larger than Massachusetts; it stretches from Mesquite to Indian Springs down to Laughlin. Washoe County is 6,542 square miles, a little smaller than New Jersey, covering the entire northwest corner of the state.
According to the most recent census data, Clark County has a population of 2,183,310, while Washoe's is 460,587, 21% of Clark's total.
Clark County has 172 casinos, while Washoe has a mere 45, 26% of Clark's total.
Of Nevada’s entire $11.9 billion gaming haul in 2018, Clark County accounted for $10.25 billion, or 86% of the total; the Strip itself accounted for 55.3%. Washoe County registered $865.76 million, or a mere 7.3% of the total.
Statewide, the win percentage was 8.29% in 2018. In Clark, it was 8.26% and in Washoe, 6.21%. So gambling is a better bet in Reno.
Finally, according to the Economic Policy Institute, the annual cost of living for a family of four in Washoe County is $4,000 higher than in Clark County. To live comfortably, a family of four in Washoe needs a household income of $81,134, compared to $77,068 in Clark County.
