RUNNING HEAD: COMMUNITY ASESSMENT

COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT
Shazlee Aolaolagi
Dixie State University

COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT

Category
Physical
Environment
: geography
& Climate

Physical
Environment
: Population:
size,
demographic
characteristic
s, trends,
migration,
density

COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT TABLE

Findings & Source of Data
Las Vegas, NV is located at 36.17 latitude and -115.14v longitude and is at an
elevation of 613 meters above sea level. It is located in Northern America and is
part of the United State of America. Las Vegas is the biggest city in the state of
Nevada. The city is located in the Pacific Time Zone. It was discovered in 1829,
when settlers passed through the western trail on their way to California. It became
a stopping point on the trail when a fresh water spring was discovered. Las Vegas is
considered a desert. Las Vegas is located in the southwest edge of Nevada and is sits
near the boarders with California and Arizona. It is a total of 275 miles from Los
Angeles. It is an actual valley that is surrounded by mountains. Las Vegas gets
approximately 2 inches of rain each year. The Grand Canyon is 150 miles East of
Las Vegas, Nevada. High-altitude of the Mohave Desert, would be categorized as a
sub-tropical hot-desert climate. Summer temperatures can range from 100F-110F,
nights can 72F-80F. low humidity, the sun can cause 1st & 2nd degree burns with
exposure, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and deadly effects if children are left in
vehicles during the Summer months. Winds from California can cause desert
thunder storms in June to August, can lead to flash flooding. Winters are sunny, but
chilly. December to January temperature usually range from 52F to 60F, nights can
get as low as 34F-42F. It does snow in the Winters; it usually stays on the mountains
that surround the valley. http://www.worldatlas.com/na/us/nv/where-islas-vegas.html on 2/27/2016 &
http://www.usatourist.com/english/destinations/nevada/lasvegas/la
s-vegas-main.html on 2/27/2016. &
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas_Valley#Climate on
2/27/2016.
According to the government census the population in 2012 was 594,294 people. It
is estimated that in 2016, the population of Las Vegas will be 616,900 residents.
45.9% of the population is white in race and ethnicity, 10.6% is African American,
American Indian accounts for 0.4%, Asian 6.2%, Pacific Islander is 0.6%,
Hispanic/Latinos are 33.2%, diverse ethnicity is 3.0% and other accounts for 0.2%
of the Las Vegas population. 49.7% pf the population are females and 50.3% of the
population are males. 31.6% of the population have never been married, 42.3%
identified as married with the spouse present, and 6.7% are married, but the spouse
is not present. 13.8% of the population is divorced and 5.6% have been widowed.
Age groups in Las Vegas are 0-4 years old account for 7.1% of the population, 5-9
years old are 7.0%, 10-14 year olds 6.9%, 15-17 year olds 4.2%, 18-20 year olds
3.9%, 21-24 5.2%, 25-34 years old 13.3%, 35-44 year olds 14.4%, 45-54 year olds
13.9% 55-64 11%. 65-74 year olds 7.6%, 75-84 4.1% and 85 year olds and older
account for 1.3% of the population. Household sizes, 1 person 26.5%, 2-person
30.6%, 3-person 15.8%, 4-person 12.8%, 5+ persons 7.6%, 6+ persons 3.8%, and
7+ persons 3.0%. The average household size in Las Vegas is 2.7 persons and
Average number of adults per household is 2.8. 56.6% of the population own their
home and 43.4% rent their home. The top ten states that people move from to Las
Vegas is 1) California, 2) Arizona, 3) Florida, 4) Texas, 5) Utah, 6) Washington, 7)
Illinois, 8) New York, 9) Colorado, and 10) Hawaii. Density: Population density
(per square mile) 4,376. One of the fastest growing metropolitan in the U.S.
https://www.census.gov/history/pdf/vegas_demographics.pdf on
2/27/2016. & https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas_Valley on
2/27/2016.

COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT
Physical
Environment
: water,
sewage &
waste
disposal, air
quality,
housing,
animal
control
Economics:
employment
levels,
manufacturin
g, income
levels

Education:
schools,
types of
education,
special
education,
sex
education,
school lunch
programs,
after-school
programs,
day care,
access to
higher
education

Air quality: Dust winds, and smog is produced by vehicles, pollen can be in the air.
There are several bad air days in the valley. Pollen can get up 70,000-plus range in
the air. Government is trying to banish plants that produce pollen in the city. Dust is
usually short and seasonal because they occur on windy days. No wind contributes
to smog in the air, and can have inversion in the winter. Water: Soil does not retain
water because of the native flora. Monsoon season (Jan-Feb.) Lake Mead
underground tunnels direct water to Las Vegas. Lake Mead supplies 90% of the
water in Las Vegas.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas_Valley#Climate on
2/27/2016.
Incomes <$15,000 is 14.3%, $15,000-$24,999 12.7%, $25,000-$34,999 12.3%,
$35,000-$49,9999 15.0%. $50,000-74,999 19.3%, $75,000-$99,999 11.3%,
$100,000-$124,999 6.3, $125,000-$149,999 3.0, $150,000-$199,999 3.5, $200,00$499,999 1.9, and $500,000 and greater is 0.3% of the households in Las Vegas.
Median household income is $46,234. Established 41 million visited the Las Vegas
area in 2014, bringing in more than $100 billion, as tourism is a big portion of the
economy. The economy is very diverse with international companies based in Las
Vegas. 1) construction employees over 40,700 people. It is estimated that 300 new
homes are being constructed at any given time. 2) technology companies, this can
be because of the gaming industry, telecommunication industry (Bidelow
Aerospace, CommPartners, Dantanamics, eVital Communications, Petroglph,
SkywireMedia, Switch Communications, US support LLC, WorldDoc,
SocialWealth, and Zappos). 3) Tourism Las Vegas has 14 of the Worlds largest
hotels by room accounts. On the strip alone, there are 62,000 rooms. This also
helps with the gaming industry. 4) Shopping Both affordable and high-end
merchandise, hotels even shopping malls in them or next to them. 5) Host of many
of the largest conventions in the World. The Las Vegas Convention Center is one of
the largest in the world, measuring 1,940,631 sq ft of exhibit space. This contributes
to $7.4 billion dollars of revenue to the Las Vegas each year. Over 5 million
attendees will attend conventions throughout the year. There are also many
museums, attractions, art galleries and anything that anyone desires to do in Las
Vegas. Even a Natural History Museum, featuring robotic dinosaurs.
https://www.census.gov/history/pdf/vegas_demographics.pdf on
2/27/2016. & https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas_Valley on
2/27/2016.
Education: 8.2% have dropped out prior to high school. 10% have some high
school education, but never got a diploma. While 28.9% have completed and
received a diploma from high school. 24.9% have attended some college, 6.8% have
an Associate degree, 13.6% bachelors degree graduate, and 5% have a Masters
degree. Professional School degree applies to 1.8%and Doctorate degree is 0.8%.
The school district offers free public school for grades Kindergarten to 12 th grade.
They offer both primary and secondary educational programs. There are lunch
programs offered through the school district. If under a certain income student can
be eligible for free or reduced lunches. Many community centers offer safe Key for
before school child care at a very low costs. There are many options for school in
Las Vegas and higher education. University of Las Vegas, University of Nevada
Medical School, University of Phoenix has a location in Las Vegas Le Cordon Bleu
also have a campus. Nevada State college, National University, and Touro
University as well as Keller school of Management. There also is a University of
Southern Nevada. Private Colleges include Apollo college, ITT Technical Institute.

COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT

Recreation:
parks &
playgrounds,
libraries,
public &
private
recreation,
special
facilities
Religion:
denomination
s, community
programs

Communicat
ion:
newspapers,
TV and radio
channels
Safety: fire
protection,
police
protection,
EMS, rape
treatment
centers,
utilities,
American
Red Cross,
disaster
plans,
potential
sources of
disaster
%Transporta
tion: intercity
& intracity,
handicapped,
emergency
transport

https://www.census.gov/history/pdf/vegas_demographics.pdf on
2/27/2016.
River Mountain Loos Trail (35-miles) connects the west valley to the Hoover dam
and Lake Mead. Summerlin has 150+ miles of trails and are actually awarded as
being the best of Nevada. Angel park Trail, Bonanza Trail, Flamingo Arroyo Trail,
many different hiking and running trails. Las Vegas also host World class mountain
biking, Bootleg Canyon Mountain Bike Park. Many Las Vegas shows are offered
ever night. Concerts, dancing, celebrity impersonators, magicians, illusionist, bands,
movies, bowling, theaters; etc. Se economy for special facilities. Public County
libraries.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas_Valley on 2/27/2016.
35.76% of the population of Las Vegas are affiliated with a Religion, they consider
themselves to be religious. Catholics account for 18.57%, LDS 6.38%, other
Christian faiths account for 3.63%, 0.31% are Jewish, Eastern faiths are 0.83%, and
0.06% identify themselves as Islam. More churches per capita than any other state
in the U.S. Many wedding chapels.
http://www.bestplaces.net/religion/city/nevada/las_vegas on
2/27/2016.
22 televisions and 46 radios stations. They have 2 NOAA weather transmitters. 9
different newspapers. 8 different Magazines.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas_Valley on 2/27/2016
Utilities: The Hoover dam provides power to Nevada, about 25% of the power
generated goes into Nevada. Southern Nevada gets 70% of their power from natural
gas power stations. Rape: university Medical Center has the only Sexual Assault
Nurse Examiner (SANE) and is designated as the crisis center for victims &
survivor and is the only one in the state of Nevada, meaning victims from other
cities or counties have to come to UMC to be examined. There is also The Rape
Crisis Center and they have a hotline and provide many resources.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas_Valley on 2/27/2016 &
http://www.rcclv.org/victims-survivors/ on 2/27/2016.

Monorail. Provides transport along the strip at the eastern side, it helps to provide
north-south travel, and the Las Vegas Convention Center. McCarran Airport, North
Las Vegas Airport, RTC transportation, bus routes. US-95 divide the East and the
West, and Fremont St and Charleston divide the North from the South. In 1997, the
Las Vegas Amtrak (train), was replaced by the bus service. The Plaza Hotel is the
only casino that had a train station located inside a casino. Interstate 15 and instate
515/U.S. Route 95 cross in downtown Las Vegas. I-15 is the route that connects Las
Vegas to Southern California coast of Las Angeles and San Diego. Head Northeast
on the I-15 and you can go to Salt Lake City, Utah and beyond. I-515 can take you
to the Hoover dam towards Phoenix, Arizona and Arizona Sun Corridor. The 215
beltway, surrounds the entire Las Vegas making it easy to navigate anywhere in the
city. Many of the streets are laid along the Public Land Survey System section lines.

COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT

Politics &
Government
: Dominant
party; how
city/area is
governed;
how positions
are filled

Health
Statistics:
mortality,
morbidity,
leading
causes of
death, births

Social

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas_Valley on 2/27/2016.
Clark county is Las Vegas, North Vegas and Henderson. Make up the largest
community in the state of Nevada. Citizens elect the mayor and 6 council
members, which make up city council. They serve 4 years, with elections staggered
every 2 years. Mayor, duties include being chairman over meetings, ceremonial
duties, and acts as the chief executive officer of the city. Officially signs enactments
of the city council. City council has the authority to act as the mayor pro tempore, if
the mayor is not able to fulfill his/her duties or is on vacation; etc. The mayor and
the city council, carry out legislative matters and out the governing board of the
county. The city council also appoint a City Attorney, City auditor, City manager,
and City Charter.
&
http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/faces/home/communications/citygovernment-overview?
_afrLoop=2217982696822485&_afrWindowMode=0&_adf.ctrlstate=14b9az5dft_113 on 2/28/2016.
Life expectancy trends: Increased by 73.7 years in 2001-2003 to 76.5 years in
2010-2012. Females from 78.7 years to 81 years. Hispanic whites have a shorter life
span due to primarily to excess mortality from drug and alcohol- associated causes.
Gender gap from 5-4.5 years. A total of 7,381 males dies in 2012 in Clark County
and 6,313 females. 117 male deaths to every 10 female deaths. Median ages of
death were 71 years old for males and 77 years for females. 64% of male deaths and
74% of female deaths were individuals who were >65 years old. Ischemic heart
disease (CAD) and other heart disease (pulmonary or hypertensive diseases; etc.)
were the two leading causes of death in both genders. This accounted for of all
deaths in Clark County. Coming in as the 2nd leading cause of death was Ischemic
heart disease. Trachea, bronchus & Lung Cancer was the 3rd leading cause of death,
COPD 4th, and cerebral vascular disease was the 5 th. In males. For females; 1) other
heart disease, 2) Ischemic heart disease, 3) dementia and related disorders, 4)
COPD, and 5) Trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer. Brest cancer was #7. In < 1 year
olds: perinatal conditions were the leading cause in both males and females. 1-14year-olds: Injury and medical care was the leading cause of death. 15-24 years old:
Injury and medical care, accounted for 76% of males deaths and 61.2% of females.
25 years old to 4 years old: Same causes males 50.3% of deaths and 40% of
females deaths. 45-64 years old: Cardiovascular disease with males at 33.7% and
females at 25.4% however, for females in this age bracket Cancer was the leading
cause at 32.1%. Adults ages 65-84 for males cardiovascular disease accounted for
34.9% of deaths and females 28.6% died of cancer. Ages 65 and older males leading
cause of death was 34% of males died from cardiovascular event and 32.1% of
females.
Total of live births 31,297 Birth rate population (1/1000) is 14.72 births this is
from 2001.2003 it is estimated that 33, 605 live births would occur and that every
1:1000 would be 14.67 in the population. Whites would account for 15,541 of the
live births, Blacks 2,732, Native Americans 404, Asians 2,383. Hispanics 12,192
live births and Other/unknown 353 total live births.
https://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/download/statsreports/health-trends/Databrief6leadingUCD.pdf on 2/28/2016. &
http://www.birthbythenumbers.org/wpcontent/uploads/2013/01/NV-NeedsAssessment.pdf on 2/28/2016.
Different organizations reported in 2015, that they served anywhere from 10 to

COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT
Problems:
mental
health,
alcoholism &
drug abuse,
suicide, crime
rate, school
dropout,
unemployme
nt, gangs

Health
Manpower:
number of
physicians,
dentists, and
nurses per
population

Community
Services:
senior citizen
centers,
hospitals,
nursing
homes,
mental health
care,
ambulatory
care,
preventive
health
services,
home health
& hospice
agencies,
welfare
services

190,000 clients with mental health issues and well as substance abuse. Individual
therapy accounted for 47% of the individuals in the study. Group therapy 42%,
Family Therapy 40%, Recovery supports: peer support 25%, Recovery support
coaching 12% and none of these 33%. 34% that there was no waiting period to get
access to these services, 12% < than 1 day, 1-7 days 16%, 8-15 days 12%, 16-30
days 4%. 31-60 days 4% and >60 days 2%. Main causes why treatment was not
pursued is that the individual needing treat thought that the treatment would not
improve the individuals current mental health (6%) and also 6% stated that it would
take too much time to get to treatments. 5& were concerned with cost and another
5% had fear of having treatments. Other reasons are lack of providers available for
treatments. Stigmatism, lack of knowledge, lack of insurance coverage, also long
waits, were all situations may fail to get treatments. Substance abuse is higher in
these populations, older adults, homeless, LGBT, Veterans, Native Americans,
African Americans, Latinos, Clients with co-occurring disorders, Military
personnel, and working adult class citizens, so it actually can affect anyone. There
are 16 treatments centers in the city of Las Vegas, but not all are equipped to eal
with all of these issues. Some specialize in just 1 or more.
** See bottom for resource***
Nevada is among the lowest states of healthcare workers per
population. There are 530 RNs per 100,000 residents. National
average is 780.2 RNs. 15.2:1000,000 Nurse practitioners. 1,442
qualified nursing student applications, only 576 were accepted.
172 physicians per 100,000 residents. The national average is
222 physicians per 100,000. Dentist: 71.9% of all dentist in the
whole state of Nevada are in Las Vegas. A total of 895 dentists are
licensed in Las Vegas, NV.
https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Division/Research/Publications/Researc
hBriefs/HealthCareWorkers.pdf on 2/28/2016.
http://medicine.nevada.edu/Documents/unsom/statewide/reports/
mecon_dental_1007.pdf on 2/28/206.
Las Vegas Rescue Mission: Offer recovery programs for individuals who have drug
and alcohol addictions. 2) Clean the World, used soap from hotels are donated to be
recycled to needy communities throughout the world. 3) Ronald McDonald House:
Provides housing for families who have a child staying in a local hospital. 4) Three
square: food bank. 5) Nevada Partnership with Homeless Youth. 6) Helping Hands
of Las Vegas: Distributes food throughout the communities. 7) Safe Nest: Domestic
abuse treatment center, takes many donations from the community to help victims
get back on their feet. 8) Operation H.O.P.E. Provides counseling and other services
for homeless, orphans/foster children, senior citizens, prisoners, inner-city, and the
oppressed people.
http://www.yelp.com/search?find_loc=Las+Vegas,
+NV&start=10&cflt=nonprofit on 2/28/2016.

COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT

Social Problems reference:

http://dpbh.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/dpbhnvgov/content/Programs/ClinicalBHSP/Docs/M
ental%20Health%20Substance%20Abuse%20and%20Suicide%20Prevention
%20Needs%20Assessment%20Summary%20ReportREV7-6-15.pdf on 2/28/2016. It
kept reformatting the table so I am adding it here.

COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT

8
REFERENCES:

Burkey, J., Packham, J., Griswold, T., (2007). Dentist Workforce in Nevada. Retrieved on
February 28, 2016, from
http://medicine.nevada.edu/Documents/unsom/statewide/reports/mecon_dental_10
07.pdf
City of Las Vegas. (2013). City Government Overview. Retrieved February 28, 2016, from
http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/faces/home/communications/city-governmentoverview?_afrLoop=2247680959266216&_afrWindowMode=0&_adf.ctrlstate=5rn7zhhhe_4
City of Las Vegas Economic and Urban Development Department & Redevelopment Agency.
(2014). Las Vegas Demographics. Retrieved February 27, 2016, from
https://www.census.gov/history/pdf/vegas_demographics.pdf
Christiansen, E. (2015). Nevada Substance Abuse, mental health and Suicide Prevention Needs
Assessment Report 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2016, from
http://dpbh.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/dpbhnvgov/content/Programs/ClinicalBHSP/Docs/Mental
%20Health%20Substance%20Abuse%20and%20Suicide%20Prevention%20Needs
%20Assessment%20Summary%20ReportREV7-6-15.pdf
Wright, J., DeJan, E., & Yang, W., (2005). Nevada Five-Year Maternal and Child Health Needs
Assessment Report 2006-2010. Retrieved February 28, 2016, from
http://www.birthbythenumbers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/NV-NeedsAssessment.pd

COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT

Feng, J., Williams, N., & Lockett, C. (2014). Life Expectancy and Mortality Trends in Southern
Nevada, 2001-2012. Retrieved February 28, 29016, from
https://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/download/stats-reports/healthtrends/Databrief6leadingUCD.pdf
Leco, M. (n.d.). USATourist.com Las Vegas Nevada. Retrieved February 27, 2016, from
http://www.usatourist.com/english/destinations/nevada/lasvegas/las-vegasmain.html
Lyans, M.D., (2008). Research Brief Shortage of Health Care Workers. Retrieved
February 28, 2016, from
https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Division/Research/Publications/ResearchBriefs/HealthCar
eWorkers.pdf
The Rape Crisis Center. (n.d.). Retrieved February 27, 2016, from
http://www.rcclv.org/victims-survivors/

Sperlings Best Places: Las Vegas, Nevada: Religion. (n.d.). retrieved February
27, 2016, from http://www.bestplaces.net/religion/city/nevada/las_vegas
Wikipedia Las Vegas Climate. (2016). Retrieved February 27, 2016, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas#Climate
Wikipedia Las Vegas Valley. (2016). Retrieved February 27, 2016, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas_Valley
World Atlas. (2015). Retrieved February 27, 2016, from
http://www.worldatlas.com/na/us/nv/where-is-las-vegas.html

COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT

10

Yelp (n.d.) The Best Community Service/Non-Profit in Las Vegas, NV. Retrieved on
February 28, 2016, from
http://medicine.nevada.edu/Documents/unsom/statewide/reports/mecon_den
tal_1007.pdf