Nevada's 260K Military-Affiliated Residents Shape Key Swing State Electorate
Nevada is a pivotal hub for U.S. military operations, where a substantial military-affiliated community not only safeguards national interests but also wields significant influence as a voting bloc in this perennial swing state. As of 2025, the military-connected population of Nevada is approximately 260,000 Nevada, encompassing roughly 14,000 active-duty service members, 12,000 National Guard and Reserve personnel, approximately 202,000 veterans, thousands of military civilian workers and contractors, and about 25,000 family members. Nevada's military-affiliated population now accounts for approximately 8% of the state's total residents, forming a significant voting bloc within its electorate.
Veterans alone make up roughly 8.3% of Nevada's total adult population, positioning the state seventh nationwide and first among swing states in veteran representation. Known for their elevated civic engagement and voter turnout—often surpassing that of the broader public—veterans form a pivotal bloc in razor-thin elections. This dynamic played out vividly in 2024, as both parties fiercely competed for their allegiance to tip the scales in presidential and Senate contests.
The active-duty military in Nevada is predominantly affiliated with the Air Force (approximately 90%), with Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas hosting the largest number of personnel. Let’s examine the top four bases in Nevada.
Nellis Air Force Base has 14,000 personnel (11,000 military, 3,700 civilians), supporting advanced training like Red Flag and the Thunderbirds, while encompassing the vast Nevada Test and Training Range, which includes the classified Area 51 at Groom Lake for experimental aircraft testing and the Tonopah Test Range for stealth technology and munitions.
Creech Air Force Base has 4,000 staff and specializes in drone operations like the MQ-9 Reaper.
Naval Air Station Fallon employs 3,000 for tactical air warfare training, including "Top Gun" equivalents and multiple bombing ranges.
Hawthorne Army Depot, with 500–1,000 mostly civilians, manages the world's largest ammunition storage on 147,000 acres.
Additional sites include the Nevada Air National Guard's 152nd Airlift Wing at Reno-Tahoe International Airport, the National Guard Floyd Edsall Training Center and Readiness Center in Las Vegas, and electronic warfare facilities tied to Fallon.
These military bases pump billions into Nevada's economy through payrolls and contracts, reinforced by state-backed initiatives like priority schooling for military families and veteran support services, including homes and cemeteries. As active-duty forces expand and veterans age, the state's vast terrain remains indispensable for vital training exercises, cementing Nevada's strategic importance to national defense.
Veterans and military families represent a sizable share of the state's roughly 2.3 million registered voters (as of late 2024), drawing intense bipartisan scrutiny—especially given 2024 national polls showing veterans leaning Republican by a 61% to 37% margin, though their evolving preferences position them as a pivotal swing group in Nevada's fiercely competitive elections. Ultimately, no candidate can afford to overlook this bloc, whose support has the power to sway razor-thin races, as seen in recent shifts and targeted campaign efforts.
