Why Nevada's Fastest-Growing Town Still Feels Like a Secret

Mesquite occupies Nevada’s southeastern corner, wedged between the sheer limestone walls of the Virgin River Gorge and the Arizona state line. Once treated as a desert pass-through, it has quietly developed into a destination offering affordable housing, safety, and access to a variety of natural and recreational amenities. Recent growth confirms its status as the fastest-growing town in the state, with a 15.4 percent population increase between 2020 and 2024, according to the US Census Bureau. Mesquite is executing a rare demographic feat: rapid expansion without hype or national recognition, largely invisible beyond regional boundaries.

Historical Foundations of Mesquite

Ancestral Puebloan and Southern Paiute peoples utilized the Virgin River corridor for agriculture and trade, establishing seasonal settlements that capitalized on the river's reliable water flow through otherwise arid terrain. Permanent American settlement did not begin until 1880, when members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints established an agricultural community they named Mesquite after the trees lining the riverbanks. The community remained small and agriculturally focused for nearly a century. As late as 1980, Mesquite's population was fewer than 1,000. The town lacked significant commercial development, and most residents went to Las Vegas or St. George, Utah, for major purchases.

The Gaming Catalyst

Mesquite's trajectory shifted when William Redd, a gaming equipment distributor who would later revolutionize the casino industry through video poker development, opened the Oasis Casino on the outskirts of town. Redd recognized that the Arizona-Utah state line created a unique geographic opportunity. Neither neighboring state permitted casino gambling at the time, meaning Mesquite could capture gaming revenue from travelers passing through on I-15 as well as residents of St. George, located just 40 miles northeast. The Oasis Casino has since closed, but casinos in the community continue to attract customers.

Currently, the local casino industry is experiencing a notable period of growth and transformation, successfully positioning itself as a value-driven alternative to the increasingly expensive Las Vegas Strip. While Las Vegas has grappled with declining international and domestic visitor numbers due to soaring resort fees and high costs, Mesquite has had huge growth in gaming revenue in late 2025, according to reports from the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The local industry is dominated by "The Big Three," which are the CasaBlanca Resort, Virgin River Hotel & Casino, and Eureka Casino Resort.

Safety

Peace of mind matters when you are choosing a place to call home, and Mesquite delivers in spades. Ranked among the safest communities in Nevada, this city boasts impressively low crime rates that put neighboring towns to shame. To put it in perspective: in 2019, Mesquite recorded just 26 violent crimes, while Elko, a city of comparable size, saw nearly triple that number at 69. The gap in property crimes is even more striking, with Mesquite logging only 224 incidents compared to Elko's 530.

So, what's behind this remarkable track record? Credit goes to the dedicated Mesquite Police Department, backed by 65 full-time, highly trained officers and a committed team of 45 volunteers. But their commitment to the community goes beyond traditional policing; the department also runs a compassionate Victim Advocacy team that ensures residents feel protected and supported at every turn.

Economics

Nevada imposes no state income tax on residents, creating immediate savings for anyone relocating from California, Arizona, or other states with income tax obligations. For retirees drawing pension income or selling assets, this advantage compounds over time. Property taxes in Nevada consistently rank among the top 10 lowest in the nation. As of 2025-2026, the effective property tax rate in Nevada is approximately 0.50%, further reducing homeownership costs. As of December 2025, the median sale price of a home was $372,500, significantly lower than the state median list price of $479,000, according to Redfin.

Real estate developers saw an economic opportunity in developing a community for senior citizens. Sun City Mesquite, developed by Del Webb, is a community for residents 55 or older. The 30,000 square-foot Pioneer Center serves as the social hub of Sun City. The center houses a fitness wing with a dedicated movement studio alongside climate-controlled indoor and outdoor pools. The facility has a billiards hall, a library with 7,000 books, and a technical arts space equipped with a kiln.

Natural Landscape

While housing economics draws initial interest, the physical environment surrounding Mesquite frequently converts visitors into residents. The Virgin River Gorge, visible from nearly every vantage point in the city, presents dramatic cliff formations. The Gorge's exposed rock layers document hundreds of millions of years of geological history, and the canyon walls shift through red, orange, and cream hues as sunlight angles change throughout the day.

The Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Area, located an hour north, encompasses more than 63,500 acres of desert wilderness and provides habitat for desert tortoises, Gila monsters, and diverse bird species. The conservation area receives a fraction of the visitation that burdens more famous parks, allowing outdoor fans to enjoy extended solitude in landscapes equal to those that attract crowds elsewhere.

Gold Butte National Monument, located 2 hours south, features ancient petroglyphs, natural stone arches, and the red sandstone formations known as Little Finland, hoodoos that resemble extraterrestrial landscapes. Access to many areas requires high-clearance vehicles, limiting visitation and preserving the wilderness character that distinguishes Gold Butte from more developed public lands.

Golfing

No discussion of Mesquite's appeal can ignore the city's golf infrastructure. Eight courses operate within the municipal boundaries and the immediate surrounding area, earning Mesquite the designation as Nevada's golf capital. This concentration of courses relative to a population of 24,000 residents creates opportunities for golfers that would require club memberships or extensive travel in larger cities.

Conestoga Golf Club, crafted by famed golf course designer Gary Panks and located within Sun City Mesquite, has consistently ranked highly in the state by Golfweek Magazine. It was ranked fifth in Nevada by this coveted ranking in 2013. The CasaBlanca Golf Club walked away with the coveted Gold Award for Best Golf Course in Nevada, an award issued by the Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2023. In 2011, Wolf Creek won the prestigious Fan Choice Award, naming it the favorite golf course to play by golf fans worldwide.

Museums

Individuals interested in regional history can visit the Donkey History Museum and the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum. The Donkey History Museum has a theater, virtual reality center, and gift shop, which highlight the historical and cultural importance of donkeys. The Virgin Valley Heritage Museum, housed in a National Register of Historic Places building, served as the Mesquite branch of the Clark County Library for about a year. The town then decided that a medical facility was needed more than a library, so it was converted into one. In 1984, the city of Mesquite designated it a museum to house the historical treasures of the Virgin Valley. The museum has items such as the first slot machine brought into the valley, photographs, quilts, wedding dresses, a 1945 television, early telephones, a whiskey still, and more.

Your Mesquite Adventure Awaits

Mesquite's continued growth reflects broader demographic shifts as more Americans look for a great place to retire or affordable housing, reshaping the American Southwest. Smaller communities offering tax advantages, safety, and lifestyle amenities will continue attracting migration. For now, Mesquite grows at a pace its systems can accommodate, welcoming those who discover it while remaining invisible to those who might otherwise overwhelm it. The secret of Nevada's fastest-growing town protects itself through its own obscurity.