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

K.L.A.S. T.V. 8 News Now
Economists say the rising price of oil due to military conflict in Iran has impacts beyond driving up the cost of fuel.
K.S.N.V. T.V. News 3
As concerns grow over the United States involvement in Iran, so have the concerns of how the turmoil may impact local economies.
The Baltimore Banner
The latest annual economic benefit projection is larger than the $1 billion figure that Gov. Wes Moore and other officials shared shortly after Sphere announced its plans to expand. But economists say economic impact estimates are often inflated.
Las Vegas Review Journal
The study, conducted by UNLV’s Lied Center for Real Estate, used artificial intelligence to help collect the data in the county, which is home to Reno and Sparks, and broke down investors into five separate groups.

Articles Featuring Nicholas Irwin

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

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

Campus beauty.
| August 6, 2025

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