Census: Douglas still under 50,000 residents as of last summer

It’s possible that Douglas County only gained 63 residents over the course of more than three years between April 1, 2020, and July 1, 2023, but most residents could well question that result.

According to U.S. Census data released on Thursday, the county was home to 49,545 residents on July 1.

That’s well below the Nevada Demographer’s estimate of 54,343 for July 1, 2023, which was an increase of almost 4,855 people over the same period of time, or almost 10 percent.

It isn’t unusual for the Census and the Demographer’s Office to disagree on the actual number of people living in Douglas in their estimates.

The demographer’s estimate in 2009 was 51,390, only to be undercut by the Census population of 46,997 the following year.

One of the issues complicating tracking population in the county is the number of second homes located here.

If not for migration, the county would consistently lose population having experienced nearly twice the number of deaths as births over the three years.

The Census actually has Douglas losing 117 people between July 1, 2022, and July 1, 2023.

Other indicators are trending the other way, though.

In April 2020, the Secretary of State’s Office reported there were 38,226 active voters in the county. By July 2023, there were 41,277 active voters, or a 3,011 increase.

On Tuesday, planning commissioners voted in favor of two projects, including almost the first half of the Virginia Ranch project in south Gardnerville. The recommendation for approval includes 470 single family lots, including a two cottage projects.

That request included a planned development and three subdivisions for the housing portion of the plan, which includes construction of the southern end of Muller Lane Parkway between Grant Avenue and Toler Lane.

They also approved a land division map to create 119 parcels north of Sunridge Drive and Highway 395 in the Indian Hills Jacks Valley Community Plan.

Manhard Consulting representative Chris Baker said the project had been approved four years ago but expired. The zoning on the property is for 8,000-square-foot lot single family residential.

The prior week, county commissioners approved a zoning map amendment and planned development for Buckeye Farms located north of Minden on Buckeye Road. The project consists of 304 single family lots and two 10-unit multi-family lots on 89.39 acres. The project is part of the 2,500 units approved for the Park Ranch Holdings land.