The Asian community in Las Vegas has roots stretching back to the early 1900s, when Chinese laborers and railroad workers first arrived in Nevada. Many settled in nearby mining towns or worked on the transcontinental railroad. While their early presence in Las Vegas was small, it laid the groundwork for future migration.

By the 1950s and 60s, Las Vegas began seeing more Japanese, Filipino, and Chinese families moving into the city, often working in healthcare, hospitality, and small business. Filipino nurses, in particular, became a cornerstone of Nevada's growing healthcare workforce — a trend that continues today.

In the 1980s and 90s, as Las Vegas grew rapidly, so did its Asian population. Immigrants from Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos arrived, opening restaurants, beauty salons, legal offices, and grocery stores, creating a diverse entrepreneurial class. Chinatown Plaza opened in 1995 on Spring Mountain Road, marking a cultural milestone as the first master-planned Chinatown in the U.S. built from scratch — now the heart of Asian Las Vegas.

Today, Asians make up about 10% of the Clark County population, with strong representation in food, business, healthcare, tech, and the arts. From street food stalls to political leadership and international entertainment, the Asian community in Vegas is a vital force helping to shape the city’s future.