Residents in sprawling boom town complain that growing population and raging tourists are ruining the city: ‘They need to focus on locals again’

Locals in a city known for its striking facade say they feel forgotten as new residents and tourists flock to their city.

From rising house prices to lower wages and a poorer quality of life, say residents of Vegas claim the city left them behind as it continues to expand.

Huge amounts of tourists have made their way to Sin City for events such as Super Bowl LVIII and the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas.

Although these events raised huge amounts of revenue, local residents said the city focused too much on outsiders.

“I would like to see them focus on locals again,” said former resident Kristin Downing CLASS.

Las Vegas resident Jaqueline Cooper (pictured) said the city’s population has grown dramatically over the past 15 years and locals have been forgotten as the city expands

Many say the iconic Las Vegas strip has lost its charm as large numbers of tourists pour in and flock to the glitzy casinos and glamorous hotels

Many said the iconic Las Vegas strip has lost its charm as large numbers of tourists pour in and flock to the glitzy casinos and glamorous hotels.

Casinos on the Las Vegas strip took in revenue record-breaking $900 million from gamblers in December, according to the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

“It’s a sports town, that’s what it’s becoming,” said local Adam Flowers.

Others said like developers continue to build up the comic with billion dollar resorts they have lost their appeal to go.

As the city caters to newcomers and tourists, residents have lost access to local discounts and community activities.

“Unless there’s something I absolutely need to see, it’s just not your day-to-day anymore,” Jaqueline Cooper said.

“I miss going to the pool on locals day and being able to swim,” Downing said.

“When someone asks me if Las Vegas has changed for the better or for the worse, I always say yes,” says UNLV’s Michael Green.

People from California and other expensive states have moved to Nevada for more affordable housing, causing home prices to rise even further. In the photo: suburbs of Las Vegas

People from California and other expensive states have moved to Nevada for more affordable housing, causing home prices to rise rise even more.

Clark County’s population has nearly doubled in the past two decades.

According to the US Census Bureau, the population was 1.349 million in 2000 and has grown to 2.323 million in 2022.

Rents in Las Vegas are now 35 percent higher than they were in December 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

Las Vegas Realtors found in their most recent report that tight inventory and high interest rates are driving the market.

According to housing market statistics, the average home price of a single-family home is approximately $821,000, while a condo/townhome is $335,000.

“It was very friendly and stable and has grown enormously over the last 15 years,” Cooper says.

The lack of affordable housing has also led to an increase in homeless people sleeping on sidewalks and in makeshift tents.

Images created by DailyMail.com shows people curled up on sidewalks and outside storefronts — some keeping their minimal belongings in carts and encampments.

The lack of affordable housing has also led to a surge of homeless people sleeping on the sidewalks along the iconic strip

At least 6,566 people were counted as homeless in Southern Nevada in January 2023, according to statistics from the Southern Nevada Homelessness Continuum of Care.

Of the group, approximately 3,780 people were living on the streets, outdoors, in vehicles or in encampments, while another 132 lived in the Courtyard Resource Center, while 2,654 were in emergency shelters or temporary housing.

But as Las Vegas’ homeless population grows, Nevada’s luxury real estate market is booming.

The area’s luxury market is experiencing a resurgence as wealthy Californians — including celebrities like Mark Wahlberg — fed up with crime and the new mansion tax — arrive en masse, trading their homes overlooking the Pacific Ocean for views of the Mojave Desert.

Nearly 17,000 people surrendered their California driver’s licenses to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles in 2023.