LAND USE, HOUSING &
INFRASTRUCTURE.
Land use, housing, and infrastructure directly affect a community's quality of life by shaping its physical environment, sustainability, resource efficiency, and regulations to create a safe, prosperous, and sustainable area.
This quality of life area encompasses housing affordability, infrastructure development, land use planning, community services, environmental sustainability, and transportation accessibility.
Land use choices influence how individuals work, raise families, and educate children in a safe, clean, and prosperous environment. Effective infrastructure enables residents to live comfortably and attract tourists and high-paying jobs, contributing to a robust economy and secure community.
Both land use and infrastructure impact housing through zoning regulations, development policies, and transportation access. The location and type of infrastructure determine the accessibility and desirability of housing areas. Additionally, land use planning can affect the availability of affordable housing, neighborhood characteristics, and the overall livability of communities.
The graphics below were frozen at the time of publishing the Consumer Progress Report in November 2024. To learn more about each indicator and view more information with recent updates through 2026, simply click on the charts, map, or graph to be directed to the NevadaTomorrow.org Community Data Portal, where you will see maps, charts, graphs, year-over-year comparisons, and more.
VIEW OR PRINT THE FULL REPORT
The Truckee Meadows Tomorrow 2024-2026 Community Progress Report published on November 12, 2024! It includes all 10 Quality of Life areas with the most important data points selected by our Data Advisory Group and TMT team. You will find the same indicators and summaries in each online QOL area with links to NevadaTomorrow.org.
Print it out and take it with you for easy reading and reference.
DIGGING INTO THE DATA
The Land Use, Housing, and Infrastructure data in Washoe County provide insights into affordable housing, transportation, community development, and economic growth trends. It covers affordable housing challenges, transportation access, housing costs, disparities in housing affordability, commuting patterns, and initiatives to promote active transportation. Additionally, it includes information on community spending, median sales prices, severe housing problems, and median gross household rent.
DATA BITES
Park Acreage Rate
Acres of parkland per 1,000 Washoe County residents. The National Recreation Planning Association recommends a ratio of 6.25 to 10.50 acres per 1,000 people.
Median Sales Price Of Existing Homes
$585,800The median sales price for an existing single-family home in the Reno-Sparks MSA in 2023
Median Sales Price Of Existing Homes
HOUSING OPPORTUNITY INDEX
The Housing Opportunity Index, which measures the percentage of homes affordable to a family earning the local median income, has declined in the Reno-Sparks area from 58.8 in 2014 to 20.1 in 2023. The most significant decrease occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The median sales price of homes has consistently increased, from $247,500 in 2014 to $585,800 in 2023. This rise has reduced affordability for families earning the median income.
Homeowners without a mortgage have experienced relatively stable housing costs compared to those with mortgages, who face increasing expenses. Rent has increased from $913 in 2013 to $1,401 in 2022, reflecting an upward trend in rental costs. Costs for homeowners with a mortgage have increased from $1,710 in 2013 to $1,965 in 2022, reflecting a rising financial burden.
The HOI decline and the home price suggest a significant reduction in housing affordability for families with median incomes. The increase in rental prices suggests a rising cost burden on renters, affecting overall housing affordability. This trend highlights a growing challenge in providing affordable housing options.
Percent of Homes Sold with a Mortgage Payment Less Than 28% of the Median Income
Building Permits Issued by Jurisdiction
Building permits issued are one measure of a safely built environment, as well as measures of employment growth and property values.
LAND USE
The data about land use in the Truckee Meadows suggests a dynamic environment characterized by fluctuating construction activity, evolving regional land development patterns, and the limited availability of developable land.
Construction Activity: Overall, the number and valuation of building permits across Reno, Sparks, and Washoe increased significantly from 2014 to 2023, indicating robust construction activity.
Investment Trends: The valuation of building permits in Reno and Washoe has shown substantial growth, reflecting increased economic investment in infrastructure and development.
Land Use: Total built acres in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe have shown a trend of stabilization or slight reduction, which can be connected to the challenges of limited developable land.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Infrastructure statistics reveal notable trends in public transportation usage and commuting habits. RTC's annual access and transit bus passengers experienced significant declines from 2014 to 2023, with the most substantial drops occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic. This reflects shifts in commuting behavior and potential issues with accessibility or public sentiment toward mass transit. Despite this, there was a slight recovery in transit bus passengers by 2023.
RTC Annual Ridership in Millions
Commuting patterns indicate a gradual increase in public transport use but a decline in biking and walking to work. The stability in workers driving alone suggests persistent reliance on personal vehicles.
RESOURCES
Several strategies address land use, housing, and infrastructure in Truckee Meadows, ensuring sustainable growth while preserving the natural environment.
The Natural Resources Plan aims to measure access and quality of the natural environment, focusing on factors like open space accessibility, proximity to public land, and trail connectivity.
The Truckee Meadows Public Lands Management Act promotes economic development and affordable housing in Washoe County, enabling the sale of 15,800+ acres of public land. It benefits tribal communities, enhances conservation, protects public lands and recreation, and keeps land sale proceeds in Nevada for education and Truckee River restoration.
The Truckee Meadows Housing Strategy addresses affordable housing demand by assessing current conditions and future needs, emphasizing development locations' impact on regional service costs.
The Truckee Meadows Regional Plan is a collaborative effort by Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County, outlining a 20-year shared vision for land use and community development.
SPONSORED BY TMRPA
Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency is committed to managing growth in a way that promotes collaboration and a shared vision for our region.
SPONSORED BY NEVADA REALTORS
Nevada REALTORS® provides services to more than 20,500 REALTOR® members throughout the Silver State.
SPONSORED BY RTC WASHOE
Building a better community through quality transportation. RTC serves the citizens of Reno and Sparks along with unincorporated areas of Washoe County.
