Demographic Voter Makeup: Nevada

*Editor’s note: This is part ten in a series that will break down the demographic statistics of voters in all six of FPP’S designated swing states plus the states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. Tomorrow Ohio and Virginia

Nevada has seen the largest percentage in population growth over the past decade with its population tripling since 1980. This population growth gives Nevada one more electoral vote than it had in 2008 (now up to 6) when it voted overwhelming for Barack Obama by a margin of 55% to 43%. However, the economic outlook has declined considerably since President Obama won the Silver State four years ago. Nevada has the nation’s highest rates of home foreclosure and unemployment. The advantage for the president is a large Hispanic voter base and a huge push for early voting. Nevada is the only state to ever cast just two electoral votes. In the 1864 election, just after gaining statehood, the third elector was snowbound and because the new state government had yet to be called into session, there was no way to select a replacement elector.

Population

Population: 2,700,551 (2010)

State rank: 35^th
Change since 2000 census: up 35.1%
Most populated cities
Las Vegas 583,756
Henderson 257,729
Reno 225,221
Paradise CDP 223,167
Household Income
Under $15K: 9.4%
$15K-$50K: 35.1%
$50K-$100K: 34.9%
$100K-$200K: 17.2%
Over $200K: 3.3%
Median Income: $55,322

Read more after the jump