Nicholas Irwin

Associate Professor of Economics
Research Director, UNLV Lied Center for Real Estate
Expertise: Economy, Microeconomics, Urban Economics, Environmental Economics, Real Estate, Sustainability

Biography

UNLV Lee Business School professor Nicholas Irwin studies microeconomics, particularly environmental and urban economics with a focus on the implications of these areas on real estate markets, human decision making, and demographics. His expertise is used to provide insight into proposed environmental or urban policies in Nevada and the economic implications surrounding them.

Irwin has conducted research on issues including the implications of COVID-19 on the housing market and water use, homeowners' response to new information about environmental hazards, the role of neighbors in homeowner decision making, and the implications of wildfire and other risks on housing demand and supply.

Irwin's work has been published in leading environmental and urban journals, including the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Energy Policy, Land Economics, and the Journal of Real Estate Research.

Education

  • Ph.D., Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics, The Ohio State University
  • M.S., Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics, The Ohio State University
  • M.A., Economics, American University
  • B.A., Economics, The Ohio State University

Nicholas Irwin In The News

Vegas Business
Mom-and-pop investors were behind nearly 66 percent of all homes bought by business entities in Clark County since 2015, and real estate experts say the Las Vegas Valley is the perfect climate for the business venture.
Las Vegas Review Journal
The federal government’s restrictive control of a fair chunk of the remaining land left for development in the Las Vegas Valley is now weighing heavily on the region’s housing market, according to multiple sources.
K.T.N.V. T.V. ABC 13
You might feel a pinch in your wallet at the pump — but those rising fuel costs might also contribute to a higher grocery bill for Las Vegas consumers.
K.L.A.S. T.V. 8 News Now
As airfares rise to counteract increasing jet fuel prices, some airlines are also opting to suspend routes to and from Las Vegas. Economists say the decisions airlines make can impact Las Vegas’ tourism economy, with people changing the way they travel.

Articles Featuring Nicholas Irwin

Some early studying during the opening week of the Spring 2026 semester (Josh Hawkins/UNLV).
Campus News | February 3, 2026

A look at some of the most eye-grabbing headlines featuring UNLV faculty, staff, and students.

Students on campus.
Campus News | October 6, 2025

A selection of top news headlines featuring UNLV faculty and students.

First day of classes.
Campus News | September 9, 2025

The top news stories starring university students and staff.

Campus beauty.
Campus News | August 6, 2025

A collection of the most prominent news stories from last month featuring UNLV staff and students.