Henderson is a suburban city in Clark County, Nevada, United States, within the Las Vegas metropolitan area of the Mojave Desert. It is the second largest city in Nevada, after Las Vegas, with a population of 257,729 in the 2010 census. It occupies the southeast end of the Las Vegas Valley at an elevation of approximately 1,330 feet (410 m).
Government

The city received its charter from the State Legislature in 1953 establishing a Council/Manager form of government.
The city is divided into four wards. A mayor is elected city-wide. Four councilmen are elected city-wide, but no more than one councilman can reside in each ward.
Lorna Kesterson was elected as Henderson's first female mayor, serving two terms until 1993. She remains the only woman to serve as mayor to date.
Fire prevention services are provided by the Henderson Fire Department and police services by the Henderson Police Department.
Geography

Henderson is located at 36°2€23€N 114°58€52€W (36.03972, -114.98111).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 79.7 square miles (206 km2), all land.
As of the 2006, according to the city, the city measured 94.5 square miles (245 km2).
The mountains that surround Henderson mostly have gentle slopes. The McCullough Range is the range closest to the city and most of this range is covered by black rocks from a volcanic explosion millions of years ago. These mountains reach an average height of about 3,800 feet (1,200 m). The landscape consists of desert with barely any water. The only water that is in the city is from washes like Duck Creek.

History
Henderson celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2003. The township of Henderson emerged in the 1940s to supply the country with magnesium, the "miracle metal" of World War II. Although "born in America's defense," Henderson's future after the war was uncertain until April 16, 1953, when city incorporation papers were signed.[citation needed]
Henderson was "born in America's defense" ten years prior to its incorporation during World War II with the building of the Basic Magnesium Plant. The plant supplied the US War Department with magnesium for incendiary munition casings and airplane engines, frames, and other parts. A quarter of all US wartime magnesium came from the Henderson Plant to strengthen aluminum, using 25% of Hoover Dam's power to separate the metal from its ore by electrolysis. Mayor Jim Gibson's grandfather, Fred D. Gibson, was one of the original engineers sent to Great Britain to learn the secret of creating the "miracle metal" which would eventually help the United States and the allies win the war. However, in 1947, magnesium production was no longer necessary for defense, and most of the 14,000 BMI employees moved away. Enrollment in the school system was reduced by two thirds and well over half the townsite houses, built to house plant workers, went vacant. In 1947, the United States War Asset Administration actually offered Henderson for sale as war surplus property.[citation needed]
In an effort to save the city, the Nevada Legislature spent a weekend visiting Henderson evaluating the possibility of state administration of Basic Magnesium. Within days of the visit, the legislators unanimously approved a bill giving the Colorado River Commission of Nevada the authority to purchase the industrial plants. Governor Vail Pittman signed the Bill on March 27, 1947, helping save Henderson from becoming war surplus property.
With the help of local industry, the city of Henderson, Nevada, was officially incorporated on April 16, 1953. On May 23, 1953, Henderson, with its population of 7,410, elected Dr. Jim French as the town's first Mayor. Originally about 13 square miles (34 km2) in size, the city quickly began to grow and flourish. Today, Henderson has grown to 94 square miles (240 km2) and is the second largest city in Nevada. The city's official slogan "Henderson--a Place to Call Home" reflects a community that enjoys small town values while benefiting from big city efficiencies.

An increasing number of major shopping malls, movie theater complexes, restaurants and casino resorts offer residents a variety of choices for leisure time in Henderson. The city also borders Las Vegas and is not too far from the world-famous Las Vegas Strip. "Shakespeare in the Park" celebrated its tenth anniversary in 1996, a testament to Henderson's long standing support for the arts and cultural programs. The city also boasts the largest recreational facility - the Multigenerational Facility at Liberty Pointe - in Nevada as well as Nevada's only scenic Bird Preserve. The city supports a variety of other cultural events as well, many of which are held at the outdoor amphitheater, the largest one of its kind in Nevada.
Henderson is located just a few miles from McCarran International Airport; and Henderson Executive Airport, recently acquired by Clark County, is planned for major renovation and development as a reliever airport to McCarran.
Master-planned residential areas include Anthem, Anthem Country Club, Black Mountain Vistas, Calico Ridge, Champion Village, Green Valley, Green Valley Ranch, Inspirada, Lake Las Vegas, MacDonald Highlands, MacDonald Ranch, Madeira Canyon, Seven Hills, Sun City Anthem, Sun City MacDonald Ranch, Tuscany Residential Village, and Whitney Ranch.

The 20th Best Place to Live
In 2006, Money magazine ranked Henderson 20th in its annual list of the top 100 places to live in the U.S.