Carson City, the capital of Nevada, is idyllically located in a protected valley surrounded by mountains on all sides. Lake Tahoe, which straddles the Nevada/California border, is approximately half an hour west of the city, while the bustling municipality of Reno is about 30 miles to the north.
Carson City was home to more than 55,000 people in 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Those interested in Carson City apartments for rent will find a community filled with culture, arts and history that also boasts a diverse economy and quality educational resources.
Carson City was founded in 1858 by pioneer Abraham Curry. It is the namesake of early frontiersman Kit Carson, who traveled to the area in the 1840s with the goal of mapping the West. Carson City owes much of its early growth to the discovery of the Comstock Silver Lode in the hills east of the settlement, which brought thousands of miners to the area in the 1860s. The city was named the territorial capital and the county seat of Ormsby County in 1861, and retained its designation as capital when Nevada became a state in 1864.
Over the next century, Carson City continued to flourish, and the decision was made to merge the municipality with Ormsby County to consolidate government services. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Carson City encompassed 144.66 square miles in 2010, making it one of the largest state capitals in the nation.
Carson City's historic residential district, which dates back to the boom period of the 1860s, still exists today. The 59 historic buildings and sites located within the district are identified along the Kit Carson Trail, a blue line for visitors and residents to follow.
The Carson City School District is comprised of six elementary schools, two middle schools, an online school and a comprehensive four-year high school attended by more than 2,400 students. Bethlehem Lutheran School provides a Christian learning environment for students in kindergarten through eighth grade, while Capital Christian School serves preschoolers to eighth-graders.
Western Nevada College (WNC) has its main campus in Carson, with satellite campuses in Douglas and Fallon. The Carson City campus is situated on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and offers a range of degrees, certificates and certifications in business, fine arts, humanities, science and more. The University of Nevada, Reno, is another option for people living in apartments near Carson City, as it is approximately 30 miles from the municipality.
Carson City is home to more than 1,800 business establishments, including 176 manufacturers. The city and state employ more than 11,500 residents, making the government the area's largest employer. Other major employers include the school district, WNC, Wal-Mart, Costco and Carson Tahoe Hospital.
City-Data.com's March 2012 cost of living index placed the cost of living in Carson City at 92.4, below the national average of 100. The median gross rent of apartments in Carson City is $911, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The nearby Lake Tahoe is ideal for hiking, biking, camping and fishing enthusiasts in the summer. In the winter, the area transforms into a skier's paradise, and boasts 15 alpine and nine cross-country resorts. Meanwhile, Spooner Lake, which is approximately 15 miles from Carson City, is popular among birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts. Carson City itself also features a number of parks and picnic areas, many of which have pools, playgrounds and athletic fields.
The city also has a number of museums, including Nevada State Museum & Mint, the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada, the Stewart Indian School Campus & Cultural Center and the Nevada State Railroad Museum.
Carson City's events calendar is packed throughout the year and includes a biannual Ghost Walk in the spring and fall, the Silver Dollar Car Classic every July and the annual Nevada Day Parade in October.
To find your next rental apartment or house in Carson City, take a look at our listings on Rent.com®.