Fernley
RANK #251 / 996 NAT · POP 59,435
1YR FORECAST: +1.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +30%
Lyon County, Nevada, is characterized by its expansive natural landscapes and a rich history rooted in the state's first gold discovery in 1849. Located southeast of Reno and east of Carson City, the county offers a blend of arid hills, mountains, and valleys, with a portion of the Toiyabe National Forest in its southern reaches. Notable towns include Fernley, Dayton, and the county seat, Yerington. Commutes to nearby cities like Carson City (approximately 36 miles from Silver Springs) or Reno/Sparks (via I-80 from Fernley) are common, with residents largely relying on personal vehicles. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with access to Lahontan Reservoir for boating and fishing, Fort Churchill State Historic Park for hiking and history, and the Walker River State Recreation Area offering trails and wildlife viewing.
Life in Lyon County often appeals to those seeking a more rural lifestyle with access to outdoor activities. Many residents own their homes, and the community has a conservative leaning, with a notable population of retirees. The economy is diverse, with a historical foundation in mining and agriculture, including the Mason Valley's past as the "Onion Capital of the West." More recently, the county has seen investment in sectors such as warehousing, transportation, and advanced manufacturing, with industrial parks in Dayton, Fernley, and Yerington. The Lyon County School District serves approximately 9,500 students across 18 schools.
Overvalued relative to economy
Contracting economy
Below national median
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 10.6x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Monarch Data Center Campus
Copia Power (backed by Carlyle)
|
$11,000M | Proposed |
|
Tract Silver Springs Data Center Campus
Tract
|
$1,600M | Planned |
|
Libra Energy Project (Solar & Battery Storage)
SB Energy (subsidiary of Arevia Power)
|
$700M | Under Construction |
|
Microsoft Silver Springs Data Center Land Acquisition & Potential Development
Microsoft
|
$500M | Planned |
|
Winston Energy (Solar & Battery Storage)
EDF Power Solutions
|
$400M | Planned |
|
Mason Valley East Solar Project
NextEra Energy Resources
|
$300M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 75/100, Lyon County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $70,026 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in NV.
Lyon County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $314,200 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.22 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,196/month on average.
Lyon County's population is growing — up +2.4% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.5%). Home values shifted +0.9% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.4% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Lyon County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.