Dayton is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Lyon County, Nevada, United States. The population was 15,153 at the 2020 census. Dayton is the second oldest Nevada settlement. It is home to the oldest hotel in Nevada.

Lyon County is a county in the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2020 census, the population was 59,235. Lyon County comprises the Fernley, NV Micropolitan Statistical Area which is part of the Reno-Carson City-Fernley, NV Combined Statistical Area.