Neighborhood guide · Southeast Las Vegas Valley
Henderson, explained.
Nevada’s second-largest city is its own government with its own rules. Here is how Henderson’s master-planned communities differ — and what to check before you buy or sell.
Fact-checked against primary sources · September 26, 2026Population
353,289
Census estimate, July 1, 2025
Incorporated
1953
separate city with its own police
Rank
#2 in Nevada
by population
Main freeways
I-11 · I-215
I-515 is now signed I-11
Master-planned communities
Henderson’s major communities.
Green Valley & Green Valley Ranch
EstablishedCentral HendersonDeveloped by American Nevada Corp.; Green Valley opened in 1978, and Green Valley Ranch construction began in 1994. Mature landscaping and some of the valley’s most established neighborhoods.
Anthem
Del WebbHillsideOpened in 1998 and spans more than 5,000 acres of the southern foothills. Includes Anthem Country Club, Sun City Anthem and Solera.
Cadence
NewerLandWellDeveloped by The LandWell Company around a Central Park of nearly 50 acres. RCLCO ranked it the #3 best-selling master-planned community in the U.S. in 2025, with 1,247 sales.
Inspirada
NewerWest HendersonA master-planned community on the west side of the City of Henderson.
Lake Las Vegas
LakefrontEastBuilt around a 320-acre man-made lake, with resort, golf and waterfront homes.
MacDonald Highlands & Ascaya
Guard-gatedLuxuryHillside luxury communities. MacDonald Highlands is guard-gated and home to DragonRidge Country Club, opened in 2000.
The City of Henderson also lists Black Mountain Vistas, Cornerstone, MacDonald Ranch, Southfork, The Canyons at MacDonald Ranch and Tuscany among its master-planned communities.
55+
Active-adult options.
- Sun City Anthem — Del Webb, built 1998–2008; the association reports 7,144 homes plus Pinnacle Village and the Villas.
- Solera at Anthem — a smaller Del Webb 55+ community in Anthem.
- Heritage at Cadence — Lennar’s 55+ neighborhood inside Cadence.
Age-restricted communities have their own occupancy rules. Read the CC&Rs before you write an offer.
Rules that differ
Henderson is its own jurisdiction.
Because Henderson is a separate city, its rules — not the City of Las Vegas’s or Clark County’s — apply. Short-term rentals, for example, require annual registration with the City, a certification class and liability insurance, plus transient lodging tax. See our Henderson short-term rental guide for the full requirements.
Public schools are part of the Clark County School District. Confirm school assignment by address rather than by community name.
Landmarks
What is here.
- Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area — 48,438 acres designated in 2002, with more than 300 rock-art panels.
- Water Street District — the City’s downtown redevelopment area.
- Lake Las Vegas and the resort corridor on the east side.
- Freeway access via I-11 (formerly signed I-515) and the I-215 beltway.
Straight answers
Frequently asked questions
Is Henderson part of Las Vegas?
No. Henderson is a separate, incorporated city (since 1953) with its own police department, planning rules and short-term rental program. It is part of the Las Vegas metro area and Clark County.
How many people live in Henderson, NV?
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates 353,289 residents as of July 1, 2025, making Henderson Nevada’s second-largest city.
What are the main master-planned communities in Henderson?
Green Valley and Green Valley Ranch, Anthem, Cadence, Inspirada, Lake Las Vegas, MacDonald Highlands and Ascaya, plus others the City lists such as Tuscany and Southfork.
Is Inspirada in Henderson or Las Vegas?
Inspirada is in the City of Henderson, on the west side of the city.
Are short-term rentals allowed in Henderson?
Only with City of Henderson registration and compliance with its requirements, which include a certification class, liability insurance and transient lodging tax. See our Henderson short-term rental guide.
What freeway serves Henderson?
I-11 (the corridor formerly signed I-515) and the I-215 beltway are the main routes.
Henderson · Buy or sell
Buying or selling in Henderson?
Tell us which community and your timing. We will reply with a straight read of that market — and the HOA and jurisdiction details that matter there.
Prefer to talk now? Call 702-843-0044 and you will reach a licensed Nevada broker, not a call center.
Where this comes from
We do not publish a figure, a date, or a rule we have not traced to a source. Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Opinions are labelled as ours. Last verified September 26, 2026. See something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts — Henderson and North Las Vegas population estimates (July 1, 2025)
- Henderson, Nevada — incorporation date (secondary)
- City of Henderson — master-planned communities
- Green Valley, Henderson — developer and opening (secondary)
- Anthem, Henderson — Del Webb, acreage (secondary, citing Las Vegas Review-Journal)
- Cadence — official site (The LandWell Company)
- RCLCO — Top-Selling Master-Planned Communities of 2025
- Lake Las Vegas — the 320-acre lake
- Sun City Anthem Community Association
- City of Henderson — short-term vacation rentals
- Bureau of Land Management — Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area
- City of Henderson — Water Street District
- Nevada DOT — I-11 / US-95 / US-93 sign replacement (I-515 replaced by I-11)
About this page. You Decide Realty LLC is a licensed Nevada real estate brokerage. This page is general information, not legal, tax, lending or financial advice, and reading it does not create an agency relationship. Rules, programs and figures change — confirm anything you plan to rely on with the governing agency, your lender, a Nevada-licensed attorney or a CPA. Neighborhood descriptions are for general orientation only; confirm a specific property’s jurisdiction, HOA, assessments and school assignment before you buy. We do not steer, and we follow the federal Fair Housing Act in every conversation.