Las Vegas isn't Las Vegas | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Paradise is an unincorporated place just outside of Las Vegas, known for its high population density and its status as a tax haven for casinos.

Key Insights

• 🏙️ Paradise is an unincorporated place bordering Las Vegas that has a population density and size comparable to a city.
• 🐕‍🦺 The creation of Paradise was influenced by the desire of casinos to avoid city taxes and provide their own services.
• ⚖️ Despite being officially unincorporated, Paradise is unique in its scale and population.
• 😘 Paradise offers a lower tax rate for businesses compared to Las Vegas, making it an attractive location for casinos.
• ❓ The history of Paradise is intertwined with the growth and development of the Las Vegas Valley.
• 🥇 The Mormons were among the first settlers in the region, but Paradise's establishment as an unincorporated place occurred in the 1950s.
• 🥺 The dispute between Las Vegas and the casinos led to the county creating Paradise to protect its business interests.

Transcript

Vegas, baby! It's Paradise. Not metaphorically either, this literally isn't the city of Las Vegas, Look at a map and you'll see the name Paradise, and when you visit and check the weather ...same thing. Here is Las Vegas and here is Paradise which contains nearly everything people associate with Las Vegas including the sign. Now, you might think P... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is Paradise considered an unincorporated place and not a city?

Paradise is unincorporated, meaning it does not have its own government or set of rules. Instead, it falls under the jurisdiction of the county and follows county and state regulations.

Q: Why did casinos choose to operate in Paradise rather than Las Vegas?

Casinos initially established themselves in Paradise to avoid higher city taxes in Las Vegas. Additionally, they were wealthy enough to provide their own services, including security forces acting as de facto police.

Q: How does Paradise differ from other unincorporated places?

Paradise stands out because of its high population density and significant size, both of which are uncommon for unincorporated places. It is almost unique in its official status as an unincorporated area.

Q: What led to the creation of Paradise as a tax haven?

A dispute between the City of Las Vegas and the casinos led to the creation of Paradise. The casinos did not want to pay Las Vegas taxes, so the county prevented the city from annexing the land, resulting in the establishment of Paradise.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Paradise is not a city but an unincorporated place located next to Las Vegas, often mistaken for the city itself.

• Despite being unincorporated, Paradise has a population of almost a quarter million residents and is the size of Disney World.

• The creation of Paradise was a result of casinos wanting to avoid city taxes in Las Vegas.