Distinction of Nevadan city when unoccupied (6)
I believe the answer is:
renown
'distinction' is the definition.
(I know that distinction can be written as renown)
'nevadan city when unoccupied' is the wordplay.
'nevadan city' becomes 'Reno' (city in Nevada).
'unoccupied' says to hollow out the word (remove centre letters) (remove the inside letters which occupy the word).
'when' with its middle removed is 'wn'.
'reno'+'wn'='RENOWN'
'of' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for renown that I've seen before include "Celebrity, fame" , "Fame and eminence" , "Good reputation" , "Plane's maximum width" , "Fame and public acclamation" .)