Frequently Asked Questions About Reno, Nevada

Reno is known as the “Biggest Little City in the World.” But what do you really know about Reno? This page aims to answer all the common questions one might have.

Find out more about Reno, Nevada, in this post and learn more about what it has to offer its visitors.

1 – What Time Is It in Reno, Nevada?

Reno, Nevada is in Pacific Daylight Time (PDT). Daylight Savings Time usually starts in March, when they set the clocks forward an hour. And it ends in November, when they set the clocks back an hour.

It’s the same time in Reno, Nevada as it is anywhere in Nevada, but also the same time as in the following states:

• California
• Oregon (with the exception of Malheur County)
• Washington

2 – How Far Is It to Travel to Reno, Nevada?

How far it is to Reno, Nevada, depends on where you live, of course. If you’re looking for how far Reno is from Las Vegas, for example, it’s almost 440 miles. That’s a seven-hour drive.

How far is it to Reno, Nevada from Lake Tahoe?

It’s roughly 20 miles, which is about a 30-minute drive.

How far is to Reno, Nevada from Los Angeles?

It’s about 470 miles and about an eight-hour drive.

Reno is in Nevada, which is in the northwest portion of the United States. It’s right along the Nevada-California border.

3 – What Is the Elevation in Reno, Nevada?

Reno is 4,500 feet above sea level. That sounds like a lot, but how does that compare to other elevations?

The highest elevation in the world, of course, is Mount Everest. This 29,000 feet above sea level. The lowest elevation in the world is the Dead Sea, which is 400 feet below sea level.

Most people in the world live at about 500 feet above sea level.

People care about elevation because it affects the amount of oxygen in the air. The higher the elevation, the less oxygen there is. At 4,500 feet above sea level, the elevation of Reno, Nevada is moderate.

You won’t have any trouble breathing the air there.

High altitude begins at about 5,000 feet above sea level, and very high altitude is considered above 11,000 feet above sea level. Extreme elevation is above 18,000 feet.

4 – What Is the Population in Reno, Nevada?

The population of Reno, Nevada is about 255,000. Reno has experienced consistent population growth throughout the last century, usually in excess of 20% per year. This has been especially true since the legalization of real money casino gambling in 1931.

In 1860 and 1870, Reno had a population of just 1035 people. Early population growth happened because of the silver and gold boom. In the last decade, from 2010 to 2020, population growth dropped to just under 9%.

5 – What Is the Sales Tax in Reno, Nevada?

The sales tax in Reno, Nevada is 8.265%.

4.6% of that total is made up of the state tax. The rest consists of the county tax.

6 – When Is Hot August Nights in Reno, Nevada?

Hot August Nights is held every year during the first week of August. It’s an annual rock and roll festival that also celebrates classic cars. Hot August Nights has been going on since 1986 when Wolfman Jack and other rock stars from the 1950s and 1960s converged at the Convention Center.

Hot August Nights is now held at multiple locations in Reno, Sparks, and Virginia City.

7 – How Do You Get Married in Reno, Nevada?

The first step to getting married in Reno, Nevada, is to get a marriage license from the county clerk. The office is open from 8 am to midnight every day of the year, including holidays. The office is located at 1001 E. 9th Street, Building A, Reno, NV 89512.

You’ll need $60 for the license. You both need to be there to apply for the marriage license. You must also both be 18 years old and show ID to prove it. If you’re divorced, you’ll need to disclose that, and you’ll need to know what year you got divorced.

You can find numerous chapels that will marry you. If you don’t have a witness, most chapels will provide one. It’s customary to tip the minister after the service at least $25, but $100 is probably more appropriate.

Unlike Las Vegas, where you can get married at night, you’ll likely need to get married during the day in Reno.

8 – What Is the Average Temperature in Reno, Nevada?

The average temperature in Reno, Nevada, varies based on the season. The average high temperature in the middle of winter—December and January—is 46 degrees. The average low in those months is 25 degrees at night.

Summers in Reno are moderate. July and August are the hottest months with average high temperatures of 91 or 92 degrees. It still gets down into the 50s at night in those months.

The temperature is even more moderate in the fall and spring. Average high temperatures are in the 60s or 70s during the day, and average lows at night are in the 40s.

Since it’s in the desert, Reno doesn’t get a lot of rainfall.

9 – What Is Minimum Wage in Reno, Nevada?

Minimum wage in Reno, Nevada is $9/hour unless the company offers health insurance benefits. In which case, the minimum wage is $8/hour. That’s the minimum wage as of July 1, 2020, but the minimum wage is set to increase by 75 cents annually on July 1 until 2024.

This means that minimum wage will look like this:

• As of July 1, 2021 – $9.75/hour
• As of July 1, 2022 – $10.50/hour
• As of July 1, 2023 – $11.25/hour
• As of July 1, 2024 – $12/hour

You can subtract a dollar per hour if you’re dealing with a company that offers qualifying health insurance benefits.

10 – What Is the Area Code for Reno, Nevada?

The area code for Reno, Nevada is 775.

This is, in fact, the area code for most of the state of Nevada. Before 1998, the area code in Reno, Nevada was 702. That’s still the main area code for Las Vegas, Nevada.

Area codes are interesting. They were originally devised and implemented in 1947. At that time, there were only 86 area codes, and the middle digit was 0 or 1. In states with only one area code, the middle digit was always 0. States with multiple area codes got to include the 1.

The other digits in the area code were based on the population, with the lowest digits going to the states with the highest population. This is why New York City had an area code of 212.

The reasoning behind this had to do with rotary phones. The lower numbers took less time to dial.

11 – Where Can You Buy Fireworks in Reno, Nevada?

Fireworks are illegal in Reno, Nevada. They are legal, however, in the nearby Pyramid Lake area. In fact, you can buy fireworks 365 days a year there. In Texas, by contrast, you can only buy fireworks twice a year—in the days before and after Independence Day and the days before and after Christmas and New Years.

There are beaches in the Pyramid Lake area that are specifically set up for shooting fireworks.

The biggest fireworks retailer in the area is Pyramid Lake Fireworks.

12 – When Was Reno, Nevada Founded?

Reno was originally a toll bridge on the Truckee River. It saw a lot of traffic because of gold rush in the 1840s and 1850s. The town of Reno was officially founded in 1868 when the transcontinental railroad arrived.

Reno is named after a Union General, Jesse Reno, who was killed in 1862. He was a career soldier that also served in the Mexican-American War and the Utah War.

13 – What Is Reno, Nevada Like?

It’s a casino town, so Reno’s similar to other casino towns in some respects. You’ll see plenty of entertainment and restaurants to choose from in the area. You’ll also find some adult-themed businesses active here, although that side of the scene in Reno is far tamer than it is in Las Vegas.

The population is mostly white, especially in the rural areas surrounding the city. It used to be called the “Mississippi of the West,” and that was based on the prevalence of racism here.

Reno is unlike any other city in the country, although it has stuff in common with many of them. For example, Reno has casinos, but it’s not like they are in Las Vegas. In fact, it’s nearly an eight-hour drive from Sin City.

There’s a distinct love of cowboys and country culture here, too. You can find plenty of culture in Reno, even though a lot of people here like country music and Western-inspired clothes.

Conclusion

Those are succinct answers to the 13 most common questions about Reno that one might come up with when you think of the city. I hope you enjoyed this question-and-answer intro to the Biggest Little City in the World!