The Consolidated Municipality of Carson City is the capital of the State of Nevada. A 2006 population estimate places its population at 57,701. Carson City is now an independent city and is its own Metropolitan Statistical Area. Like many towns in Nevada, Carson City was founded in the boom days of mining. A center of silver mining, Carson City was the county seat of the former Ormsby County, Nevada and was named for explorer Kit Carson.

Carson City has the distinction of being the smallest of the 361 United States Metropolitan Statistical Areas as designated by the United States Census Bureau (as of July 1, 2004).

The largest nearby city to Carson City is Reno, Nevada, about 30 miles to the north. Carson City is one of only two capital cities in the United States that borders another state; the other is Trenton, New Jersey.

==Demographics==
As of the census of 2000, there are 52,457 people, 20,171 households, and 13,252 families residing in the city. The population density is 141/km² (366/mi²). There are 21,283 housing units at an average density of 57/km² (148/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 85.30%White, 1.80% Black or African American, 2.40% Native American, 1.77% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 6.46% other races, and 2.12% from two or more races. 14.23% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 20,171 households, out of which 29.80% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.00% are married couples living together, 11.00% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.30% are non-families. 27.80% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.00% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.44 and the average family size is 2.97.

The city's age distribution is: 23.40% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 106.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 108.20 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $41,809, and the median income for a family is $49,570. Males have a median income of $35,296 versus $27,418 for females. The per capita income for the city is $20,943. 10.00% of the population and 6.90% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.70% of those under the age of 18 and 5.80% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

==Geography==

The city limits of Carson City cover 155.7 square miles, making it one of largest cities in terms of area in the state. Downtown Carson City lies in Eagle Valley, which is surrounded by the Carson Range to the west and the Virginia Range to the east. Snow Valley Peak, which rises 9,214 feet in the Sierra Nevada, is the highest point in the city and is accessible along the Tahoe Rim Trail. The city limits border Lake Tahoe to the west and the Carson River runs through the city in the east.

==Climate==
Carson City is situated in high desert valley of approximately 4730 feet above sea level. There are four fairly distinct seasons, all of which are relatively mild compared to many parts of the country. Winters see typically light snowfall. Most precipitation occurs in winter and spring, with summer and fall being extremely dry, much like neighboring California. Mid-summer highs typically top out in the 90s, however temperatures of 100 degrees and above do occur on occasion. The low humidity and high elevation generally make even the hottest and coldest days quite bearable. July high and low temperatures average at 91 and 51, respectively, while in January this drops to 45 and 22.

==Education==
The Carson City School District operates 10 schools in Carson City.

===Elementary Schools===
*Bordewich Bray Elementary School
*Empire Elementary School
*Fremont Elementary School
*Fritsch Elementary School
*Mark Twain Elementary School
*Seeliger Elementary School

===Middle Schools===
*Carson Middle School
*Eagle Valley Middle School

===High Schools===
*Carson High School
*Silver State Charter High School

===Higher Education===
*Western Nevada College (WNC) is a regionally accredited, two year institution which is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education. The college has an enrollment of approximately 6,000. It has a prison education program, which offers classes to degree-seeking inmates in five correctional institutions throughout northern Nevada. Courses are conducted daytime and evening in the classroom, by cablecast, and on the Internet. WNC offers associate of arts, associate of science, associate of applied science or associate of general studies degrees, one-year certificates, or certificates of completion in more than 50 career fields, including architecture, auto/diesel mechanics, criminal justice, dental hygiene, graphic design, nursing, and welding. Recently, the college has added a four-year program.

==Transportation==
Carson City is one of five state capitals not served by an interstate highway (Dover, Delaware; Jefferson City, Missouri; Juneau, Alaska, and Pierre, South Dakota are the other four). This will soon change as Interstate 580, also known as the Carson City Freeway, is currently under construction. This will eventually link Carson City to Reno and Interstate 80.

The Regional Transportation System of Washoe County (RTC) provides public transportation service between Reno and Carson City, and on Oct. 3, 2005, Carson City's first bus system, (JAC) opened to the public.

Carson City is also served by the Carson Airport, which is a regional airport in the northern part of the city.

===Major Highways===

U.S. Route 50
U.S. Route 395

===Adjacent Counties===
* Douglas County, Nevada - south
* Lyon County, Nevada - east
* Storey County, Nevada - northeast
* Washoe County, Nevada - north
* Placer County, California - west