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Community Data

Southwest Reno

Sporadic retail and vehicle theft occurs near commercial corridors despite family-oriented safety.

Last Updated: Jul 13, 2025

Public Safety Information

Southwest Reno

Encompassing areas south of Plumb Lane to the Mount Rose Highway corridor, this sector blends established residential neighborhoods, golf course communities, and commercial hubs along South Virginia Street, with significant elevation variations creating distinct sub-areas¹.

Demographics & Housing

Socioeconomic Variation

Median household income ranges from $85,000 in mid-century subdivisions to $210,000 in gated enclaves like Montreux. Overall homeownership is 71%, dipping to 48% in high-density apartment zones near retail corridors².

Property Types

Notable mix includes 1960s-1980s single-family (55%), luxury estates (20% in foothills), and multi-family complexes (25%) concentrated near shopping centers. Lot sizes vary from 0.1 acres to 5+ acres³.

Crime Environment

Commercial Interface

Areas within 500 feet of South Virginia Street experience 3.2x more vehicle break-ins than interior residential blocks. Retail theft patterns show displacement toward parking structures during enhanced patrols⁴.

Seasonal Vulnerabilities

Vacation properties near Mount Rose Highway exhibit 28% higher off-season burglary rates compared to year-round occupied homes (RPD Southwest Command data)⁵.

Infrastructure Challenges

Transportation Bottlenecks

Peak congestion on Mt. Rose Highway (LOS F) and South McCarran Boulevard increases emergency response times by 18% during winter recreation periods⁶.

Wildfire Exposure

The Caughlin Ranch fire perimeter intersects western neighborhoods, with 63% of parcels rated "High" or "Very High" risk due to chaparral fuels and canyon wind effects⁷.

Employment & Lifestyle

Economic Nodes

Retail hubs (The Summit Reno) employ 2,100 workers, generating high vehicle turnover. Medical facilities (Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center) contribute to 24/7 traffic flows⁸.

Transient Populations

Short-term rental density reaches 12% in foothill zones, correlating with increased after-hours noise complaints and parking disputes in cul-de-sacs⁹.

Community Amenities & Vulnerabilities

Recreational Attractors

Truckee River access points and golf courses draw 550k annual visitors, creating pedestrian cut-through traffic in adjacent residential streets with limited lighting¹⁰.

Utility Resilience

Above-ground power lines in older subdivisions contribute to outage durations 45% longer than city average during wind events (NV Energy reliability metrics)¹¹.

Sources

  1. City of Reno Community Development, Southwest Area Plan, 2023
  2. U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Tracts 001205-001207
  3. Washoe County Assessor, Property Characteristics Database, 2024
  4. Reno Police Department, Southwest Command Crime Analysis, Q1-Q4 2023
  5. RPD Crime Prevention Unit, Vacancy-Related Crime Trends, 2023
  6. Regional Transportation Commission, Corridor Mobility Report, 2024
  7. Nevada Bureau of Land Management, Wildfire Risk to Communities, 2023
  8. Nevada Department of Employment, Quarterly Census of Employment, Q4 2023
  9. AirDNA, Reno-Sparks Short-Term Rental Dashboard, 2024
  10. Truckee River Fund, Recreational Use Monitoring Report, 2023
  11. NV Energy, Distribution System Performance: Southwest Reno, 2023
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