There’s a housing crunch in Las Vegas, no question about it. But would you believe there are 10,000 acres of prime land just sitting vacant across the valley?
Yep. According to a recent study from ECOnorthwest (in partnership with the RTC of Southern Nevada), there are 78,285 acres of land that are either undeveloped or severely underutilized — and 10,000 of those acres are considered prime for residential and commercial development. Yet, here we are. Home prices remain near record highs, supply is sitting, buyers are on pause… and that land? Still untouched.
Let’s dig into why.
Who Owns the Land?
This is where it gets tricky. According to Clark County, a whopping 88% of all land in the county is federally owned, and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) controls more than half of that. While the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act was designed back in 1998 to help release some of this land for private use, BLM has only released 17,519 acres in over two decades. In fact, their control has grown.
So yes, we have land. But accessing it? That’s a different story.
The Data Is Messy — And That’s a Problem
One of the biggest challenges we face is identifying which land is actually usable. Nicholas Irwin from UNLV’s Lied Center for Real Estate put it perfectly: “This report shines a light down a dark hallway… but there are a lot of additional corners that need poking and prodding.”
Translation? There’s no unified system for sharing land use data. Different agencies hold different pieces of the puzzle, and not all are eager to collaborate.
The Affordability Gap Is Growing
While land sits untouched, Las Vegas residents are getting squeezed:
Since 2020, the income needed to afford a typical mortgage has more than doubled — from $54,000 to nearly $120,000.
We’re short at least 78,000 affordable rental homes, according to the Nevada Housing Coalition.
Home prices have almost doubled since pre-pandemic levels, even as wages have remained flat.
Maurice Page, Director of the Housing Coalition, called this a “pivotal moment,” and he’s right. Because what good is vacant land if we can’t develop it in a way that serves the real needs of our community?
What Needs to Change
Here’s what we really need if we want to move forward:
Modernized land use coordination between state, county, and federal agencies
Incentives for infill development and creative reuse of underutilized land
Infrastructure investment to unlock land that’s currently stuck in bureaucratic limbo
And yes, housing plans that reflect the income realities of Las Vegas residents today
There’s potential in those 78,000+ acres — but potential doesn’t put a roof over anyone’s head. We need more than pretty maps and lofty studies. We need execution.
My Take as a Local Real Estate Expert
As someone who works in the trenches of this market every day, I see how the land shortage and affordability squeeze play out in real time. Buyers who want new construction but are priced out. Families needing more space, but no viable options. Seniors downsizing without inventory to match their needs.
And it’s frustrating — because the land is there.
If you're considering a move or wondering where the best opportunities might be hiding in today's Las Vegas market, I’m here to help you cut through the noise. Whether it's new construction, infill development, or just understanding what’s really going on — I’ve got you.
Text me, DM me @JenniferGraffLV, or let’s set up a time to chat. Because navigating this market takes insider knowledge, and I’m ready to guide you through it.