Fernley, Nevada Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fernley, Nevada had a total population of 24,225, the 15th largest city in Nevada, with a median household income of $89,517, which is 14% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Fernley Quick Facts
How Fernley Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,631 | 24,225 | +2.5% |
| Median household income | $87,991 | $89,517 | +1.7% |
| Median home value | $352,600 | $366,700 | +4.0% |
How Fernley Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 69 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fernley Rankings in Nevada
Explore Nevada Rankings
Other Cities in Lyon County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dayton | 15,781 | $102,819 | 5.2% | $433,200 |
| Silver Springs | 5,060 | $48,944 | 19.7% | $244,400 |
| Yerington | 3,150 | $57,980 | 11.9% | $284,800 |
| Stagecoach | 1,892 | $70,000 | 13.0% | $322,400 |
| Smith Valley | 1,807 | $67,132 | 8.5% | $756,000 |
| Silver City | 118 | $68,056 | 0.0% | $319,000 |
Cities Similar to Fernley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Valley | 22,228 | $77,446 | $349,100 | 10.8% | 16.9% |
| Mesquite | 22,059 | $75,227 | $388,600 | 23.7% | 10.6% |
| Elko | 20,696 | $79,036 | $309,100 | 17.2% | 13.8% |
| Summerlin South | 31,354 | $117,035 | $672,400 | 52.6% | 4.8% |
| Spanish Springs | 17,980 | $127,658 | $623,900 | 30.0% | 2.9% |
Population Overview
Fernley is a small city located in Nevada, within Lyon County. The total population is 24,225. It ranks as the 15th most populous out of 123 Census-designated places in Nevada.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fernley is 36.4 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fernley is $89,517. This is 14% higher than the state median of $78,260. It is also 11% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.8%. This is 3% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.4%. The unemployment rate is 5.5%. This is 21% lower than the state rate of 7.0%. The median home value is $366,700. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $435,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 72.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% higher than the state average of 60.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fernley is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 21.6%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 9.0%. The Asian population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 8.8%.
Education
16.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% lower than the state rate of 27.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fernley, Nevada is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Nevada state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 123 Census-designated places in Nevada. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Fernley, Nevada?
Fernley, Nevada has a population of 24,225 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fernley, NV?
The median household income in Fernley is $89,517, which is 11% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fernley, NV?
The poverty rate in Fernley is 12.8%. This means approximately 3,089 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fernley, Nevada?
Fernley's population is 66.9% White, 0.8% Black, 21.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fernley, NV?
The median home value in Fernley is $366,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Fernley, Nevada?
16.4% of adults (25+) in Fernley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.