Elko
cityElko is a city in northeastern Nevada, serving as the county seat of Elko County. Situated along the Humboldt River and near the Ruby Mountains, Elko is the economic hub for the surrounding Ruby Valley. The city blends its rich Western heritage with modern growth, maintaining a distinctive character. Elko's economy is heavily based on gold mining, complemented by ranching, tourism, and the casino industry. It serves as a regional center for commerce, transportation, and services. Great Basin College is located in Elko, providing educational opportunities for the region. Elko's history is rooted in the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad in 1868, which established the town as a railhead and supply center. The city has preserved its cowboy culture and hosts events like the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering and the Basque Festival. Elko offers access to outdoor recreation, including hiking, skiing, and hunting in the nearby Ruby Mountains and Lamoille Canyon.
Elko, Nevada
- Classification
- City
- FIPS Code
- 32-22500
- Country
- United States
- County
- Elko
- Region
- Northeastern Nevada
- Elevation
- 5,112 ft
- Total Area
- 17.85 sq mi
- Land Area
- 17.85 sq mi
- Water Area
- 0 sq mi
- Latitude
- 40.8389
- Longitude
- -115.7403
- Climate
- Semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters
- Notable Features
- Humboldt River · Ruby Mountains · Lamoille Canyon
- Neighboring Areas
- Spring Creek
- Population (2020)
- 20,564
- Est. Population (2023)
- 20,624
- Median Age
- 34.3
- Median Income
- $75,630
- Family Households
- 60.4%
- Owner-Occupied
- 62.4%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- 61% White (Non-Hispanic), 9.07% Other (Hispanic), 8.82% Two Races Including Other (Hispanic), 8.68% White (Hispanic), and 3.38% American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic)
- Government Type
- City Council/Manager
- Governing Body
- City Council
- Body Size
- 4 members
- School District
- Elko County School District
- Municipal Services
- Police · Fire · Public Works · Parks & Recreation
- Unemployment Rate
- 3.73% (February 2024)
- Economic Profile
- Mining · Ranching · Tourism · Commercial
- Employment Sectors
- Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction · Accommodation & Food Services · Educational Services
- Major Employers
- Nevada Gold Mines · Elko County School District · Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital
- Schools
- 32
- Students
- 9,945
- Teachers
- 552
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22:1
- School Districts
- Elko County School District
- Colleges & Universities
- Great Basin College
- Transportation
- Interstate 80 · Elko Regional Airport · Union Pacific Railroad
- Utilities
- Municipal water · Municipal sewer · Fiber/broadband
- Major Facilities
- Elko Regional Airport · Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital · Elko Convention Center
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Ruby Mountains · Lamoille Canyon · South Fork State Recreation Area · Wild Horse State Recreation Area · Angel Lake
- Parks & Trails
- Elko City Park · Johnny Appleseed Park · Southside Park · Skate Park
- Founded
- 1868
- Incorporated
- 1917
- Named After
- Likely named by Charles Crocker, adding 'o' to Elk
- Historical Significance
- Elko played a crucial role in the development of northeastern Nevada as a transportation, commercial, and cultural hub.
- Key Events
- Established as a railhead by the Central Pacific Railroad in 1868 · Named county seat of Elko County in 1869 · Served as a center for ranching and mining · First commercial airmail flight in the US landed in Elko in 1926