Las Vegas has experienced an uptick in its unemployment rate, reaching 5.5 percent in May, making it the second highest among large metro areas in the United States, surpassed only by Fresno, California, at 7.8 percent. This is higher than the national unemployment rate, which stood at 4 percent for the same period. The increase from April’s 5.2 percent indicates ongoing challenges in the local job market.
The city’s economy, heavily reliant on tourism, has been struggling due to a decline in visitor numbers. Data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority shows that approximately 16.5 million people visited Las Vegas from January through May, marking a 6.5 percent decrease compared to the same timeframe in 2024.
Despite these setbacks, there is cautious optimism for the future. Barry Jonas, a casino analyst with Truist Securities, has indicated that while the Las Vegas Strip might experience a “choppy summer,” there could be potential for growth recovery later this year or in the next. This outlook suggests that while current economic conditions are challenging, there are prospects for improvement in the near future.