Searchlight, Nevada Demographics & Population 2026

A note before these figures: with a population of 246, Searchlight's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.

Population Overview

Searchlight is a small community located in Nevada, within Clark County. The total population is 246. It ranks as the 101st most populous out of 123 Census-designated places in Nevada.

Age Demographics

The median age in Searchlight is 64.2 years. This is 64% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 1.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 26.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Searchlight is $49,766. This is 36% lower than the state median of $78,260. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.3%. This is 64% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.4%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Searchlight, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $142,700. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $435,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Searchlight is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 93.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 56% higher than the state average of 60.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

Searchlight has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.8% of all residents. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (87.8% vs 44.8%).

Education

5.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 79% 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 90.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Searchlight, 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.