$346,233Average Value$291Average Price per Sq Ft4Homes For Sale
Wadsworth's tribal roots and railroad history
Wadsworth is the older, more rural neighbor of Fernley, a city that’s experiencing rapid industrial growth. In 1859, Pyramid Lake and most of modern-day Wadsworth were granted to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. When the Central Pacific Railroad came through the area in the 1860s, however, railroad workers and settlers built homes and businesses on the reservation land, and Wadsworth briefly grew into a small town. When the railroad was rerouted in the early 1900s, most residents and services left as well. Today, the community consists of reservation land and unincorporated sections of Washoe County. Locals have access to an elementary school, a small park and one restaurant, and they rely on Fernley and Reno for most other amenities.
Car travel and an expanding job market nearby
Wadsworth is a car-dependent community. Drivers have convenient access to Interstate 80, which connects with Reno about 30 miles west. Business I-80 leads into Fernley, which is about 3 miles southeast. The expansive Tahoe Reno Industrial Center 15 miles west and the Port of Nevada a similar distance east are drawing more people to the region. “The area is becoming a hub for jobs,” says Julianne Holt, a broker with Sierra Nevada Properties who has lived in Fernley for more than 14 years. “We have more jobs than there are people.” In April 2025, Microsoft purchased a 300-acre parcel of land in Fernley, which may lead to even more career opportunities.
The closest medical center is Renown Urgent Care in Fernley, about 5 miles away. More comprehensive medical facilities, such as the Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center, are a farther drive. “If you have to go to the emergency room, you pick a direction — east or west — and you drive about a half hour,” Holt says. The Reno-Tahoe International Airport is less than 35 miles away.
Wadsworth has a blend of privately owned and reservation land
The majority of Wadsworth rests within the perimeter of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation. Despite this, the Homestead Act of 1862 enabled settlers to claim deeds to land near the Truckee River. Some of these parcels remain privately owned, though the tribe was able to buy back some land in the 1990s. The small development beside Stampmill Road is outside the reservation’s boundaries.Desert scrub and mesquite trees dot the sides of the relatively flat neighborhood streets, and in the distance, mountains and rolling hills stretch in nearly every direction. Most yards have fences and private, off-street parking. Buyers may find manufactured homes priced between $180,000 and $375,000, and ranch-style homes generally range from $400,000 to $540,000. Some homeowners have access to municipal water service, but others have private wells. Most residents maintain their own septic systems. Wadsworth has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, compared to 4 nationally.
Wadsworth Park, Fernley recreation and off-road adventures
Wadsworth Park has a small playground, and tribal members host beading classes and Paiute language lessons at the Food Distribution Center along Brady Street. More recreation options are available in Fernley, which has three city-run parks, as well as an indoor swimming pool. To the south of Fernley, there are some stretches of open desert overseen by the Bureau of Land Management. These spaces are popular for off-road adventuring, Holt says. “People take their side-by-sides and go geocaching, trail riding and target shooting.” The area due north of Wadsworth is mostly tribal land, and visitors need to obtain a tribal permit before exploring the desert or visiting Pyramid Lake.
Washoe County School District serves Wadsworth
Children can attend schools within the Washoe County School District, which also serves Reno and Sparks. Natchez Elementary School is located in Wadsworth, and it gets a C on Niche. Both Mendive Middle School and Reed High School earn B ratings. They are located in Sparks, and the bus ride for Wadsworth students takes about an hour each way. The high school offers career and technical education courses in subjects such as health science and manufacturing.
Papa’s Ranch House, shopping in Fernley and more options in Reno
Wadsworth’s only dining option is Papa’s Ranch House, a rustic, two-story building that serves as a saloon, pizza place, gift shop and wedding venue. Papa’s even offers ghost tours. Fast-food chains and several locally owned dining spots are in Fernley, including Jehova Es Mi Pastor, a casual Mexican restaurant. Fernley has hardware stores, casinos and a few grocery stores as well. “We have enough amenities to get by, but if you want to go see a movie, go to Costco and take your kids to a trampoline park, you go to Reno. If you want dining and shopping, and Ross and Target, or whatever else, you go to Reno,” Holt says. “It only takes about half an hour, so nobody has an issue with it,” Holt says.
Sacred Visions Powwow and annual Burning Man traffic
The annual Sacred Visions Powwow is held on the second weekend of July at Big Bend Ranch, just north of I-80. Thousands of people from around the region attend the three-day powwow, and many camp out at the ranch. In late August and early September, Burning Man attendees wind their way through Wadsworth, often stopping at the I-80 Smoke Shop for last-minute supplies or an overnight stay at the RV campground. Though not all Burning Man traffic comes through Wadsworth, during the days before and after the festival, roads tend to be very congested.
Environmental concerns in Wadsworth
Wadsworth has a high desert climate, and water is a precious resource. The region is prone to poor air quality and wildfires, particularly during the hot summer months.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Wadsworth, NV sell after 95 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The average sale price for homes in Wadsworth, NV over the last 12 months is $389,750, up 100% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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