Moving to Henderson, Nevada
Your complete local guide from a team that lives here.
Why People Are Moving to Henderson, Nevada
Henderson is the second-largest city in Nevada and one of the most consistently recognized places to live in the country. Ranked among America’s safest large cities, Henderson draws thousands of relocating families every year — most of them from California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Northeast — looking for more space, lower taxes, and a higher quality of life without sacrificing amenities.
What surprises most newcomers isn’t that Henderson is good. It’s how good. The parks system is nationally accredited. The master-planned communities are genuinely walkable. And there’s no state income tax.
Team Farnham has helped hundreds of families make this move. Matt and Leslie Farnham live in Inspirada — one of Henderson’s most sought-after master-planned communities — and have raised their family here. This isn’t a sales pitch. It’s the city we call home.
Henderson at a Glance
367,167
1953
1,940
Tax Benefits
This is one of the biggest reasons people relocate from California, Oregon, and Washington — and it’s real.
Nevada has no state income tax. That’s not a loophole or a technicality — it’s written into the state constitution since 1990. There’s also no corporate income tax, no inheritance tax, no estate tax, and no gift tax.
Property taxes in Henderson are among the lowest of any major city in the West. Sales tax is 8.375%, with groceries, prescription drugs, and most services exempt.
For a household earning $150,000 moving from California, the state income tax savings alone can exceed $10,000 per year.
Neighborhoods & Master-Planned Communities
Henderson is home to more than 25 master-planned communities, ranging from established neighborhoods to newer developments in West Henderson. Here’s a quick overview of the most popular areas:
Sports, Recreation & Outdoor Living
Henderson isn’t just close to entertainment — it’s built around it. The city has made a genuine, sustained investment in outdoor infrastructure, and it shows in ways that surprise most newcomers.
Parks & Trails
Henderson’s parks system is nationally accredited and one of the best of any city its size in the country. The numbers tell part of the story — 76 city parks covering nearly 1,400 acres, 300+ miles of multi-use trails, 11 aquatic facilities, 106 athletic fields, and 63 tennis courts — but the experience is what makes residents stay.
The River Mountains Loop Trail is a 35-mile paved loop connecting Henderson, Boulder City, and Lake Mead. It’s one of the most popular cycling and running routes in Southern Nevada and accessible directly from multiple Henderson neighborhoods. Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area borders Inspirada to the south, offering desert hiking and one of the largest petroglyph sites in the region. Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve and Acacia Demonstration Gardens round out a city that takes outdoor living seriously year-round.
Golf
Henderson is a legitimate golf destination. There are 11 golf courses within city limits — 7 public, 1 municipal, and 3 private — and more than 50 courses within 20 miles. The standouts include DragonRidge Country Club in MacDonald Highlands, Rio Secco Golf Club, Reflection Bay at Lake Las Vegas, Revere Golf Club (two courses — Lexington and Concord), Legacy Golf Club, and the city-owned Wildhorse Golf Club. Private clubs include Anthem Country Club and SouthShore — the first Jack Nicklaus-designed private course in Nevada.
For serious golfers, Henderson is one of the best-positioned cities in the Southwest. Year-round playable weather, course variety across every price point, and communities built around golf course frontage make it a consistent draw for buyers whose game is part of their lifestyle.
Pickleball
Henderson has quietly become one of Nevada’s premier pickleball destinations — and if you haven’t been paying attention to how fast this sport has grown, the numbers will surprise you. There are 16+ facilities with over 100 courts across the city, ranging from free public courts at city recreation centers to premium indoor facilities.
The marquee venue is The Picklr Henderson at 1450 W Horizon Ridge Pkwy — 11 climate-controlled indoor courts, open daily 6am–11pm, with leagues, clinics, and unlimited play memberships. Chicken N Pickle brings 14 courts plus full-service dining and a social atmosphere that draws players of all levels. Whitney Mesa Recreation Center has 14 outdoor courts. City recreation centers including Black Mountain offer affordable drop-in play — $3 for seniors 60+, $5 for others, or free with a Henderson Activity Card.
For buyers relocating from markets where pickleball infrastructure is minimal, Henderson’s depth of options is a genuine lifestyle upgrade.
Professional Sports & Entertainment
Henderson is Southern Nevada’s sports hub in ways most people don’t realize until they live here. The Las Vegas Raiders are headquartered and practice in Henderson. The Las Vegas Aces (WNBA) call Henderson home. The Henderson Silver Knights (AHL) play at The Dollar Loan Center — a 6,000-seat arena on Green Valley Parkway that also hosts major concerts, community events, and graduation ceremonies year-round.
The America First Center on Water Street serves as a community ice arena with two NHL-regulation rinks — open to the public for skating, leagues, youth programs, and tournaments.
The historic Water Street District is Henderson’s original downtown, anchored by Water Street Plaza — an outdoor entertainment venue with a 42-foot LED screen, amphitheater seating, splash pad, and a rotating calendar of concerts, screenings, and community events.
Parks, Trails & Outdoor Recreation
76
City Parks
1,400
Acres of Park
300+
Miles of trail
11
Aquatic Facilities
6
Recreation Centers
7
Skate Parks
106
Multipurpose Fields
63
Tennis Courts
Schools
Henderson’s public schools are served by the Clark County School District and consistently outperform state and national averages in reading, math, and graduation rates.
Public high schools in Henderson include: Coronado, Green Valley, Foothill, Basic Academy of International Studies, and Liberty.
Higher education: Nevada State University and the College of Southern Nevada both have Henderson campuses. UNLV is located just outside Henderson’s city limits.
Henderson also has more than 20 charter schools and 12 private schools, giving families meaningful options across every budget and educational philosophy.
For current school ratings and boundary maps, visit ccsd.net or GreatSchools.org.
Hospitals & Healthcare
Dignity Health
Siena Campus: 3001 St. Rose Pkwy., Henderson NV 89052
St. Rose Dominican Rose de Lima Campus: 102 E. Lake Mead Dr., Henderson NV 89015
Henderson Hospital
1050 Galleria Dr., Henderson NV 89011
West Henderson Hospital
1155 Raiders Way, Henderson, NV 89052
Climate
Henderson sits in the Mojave Desert at 1,940 feet elevation. Winters are mild. Summers are hot — genuinely hot — but the dry heat and low humidity make it far more manageable than coastal cities with similar temperatures. Most homes have efficient air conditioning and residents adapt quickly.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 54°F | 41°F |
| February | 59°F | 44°F |
| March | 67°F | 49°F |
| April | 75°F | 56°F |
| May | 85°F | 65°F |
| June | 95°F | 74°F |
| July | 101°F | 79°F |
| August | 99°F | 78°F |
| September | 91°F | 71°F |
| October | 78°F | 60°F |
| November | 64°F | 48°F |
| December | 54°F | 40°F |
Henderson enjoys 300+ days of sunshine annually.
Local Utilities
Water conservation note: Southern Nevada is one of the driest regions in the country. Outdoor watering schedules are regulated — visit cityofhenderson.com to find your watering group. Lawn grass is prohibited in newly developed properties; drought-tolerant landscaping is the standard.