Tesla effect: Nevada demographer raises population forecast to account for gigafactory

Nevada's demographer projects the state will have nearly 35,000 more residents in the year 2032 than it would have if it hadn't landed the Tesla Motors battery factory and another major business.

State demographer Jeff Hardcastle released updated figures Wednesday predicting that the state will have 3.3 million people in 18 years.

Hardcastle circulated a draft of his predictions Sept. 1. But he says news about Tesla's gigafactory and California drone maker Ashima Devices' move to Nevada shuffled the numbers and prompted an update.

He projects Washoe County will grow by 147,000 people over the next two decades, while Clark County will gain 328,000 residents in that period.

The state overall is expected to add 528,000 people.