City Town Info

Elko, NV


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Elko, Nevada

Introduction to Elko, Nevada

Elko, Nevada, in Elko county, is 191 miles S of Nampa, Idaho (center to center) and 323 miles N of Las Vegas, Nevada. There are an estimated 16,708 people in the city.

Elko History

The city of Elko, which is the county seat of Elko County, was first inhabited in 1868. At that time it was located at the eastern end of the tracks constructed by the Central Pacific Railroad. After the railroad crew moved, the community remained a mining freight center as well as a supply center. The area is said to have been named by Charles Crocker (Superintendent, Central Pacific Railroad), who was extremely fond of animal names. He chose the name Elko, by adding an extra 'o' to 'elk'. Elko was designated the county seat in 1869, and was officially incorporated in 1917.

Elko and Nearby Attractions

  • Western Folklife Center
  • Hillside Park
  • Northeastern Nevada Museum
  • Riverview Park
  • Wild Horse State Recreation Area
  • Northeastern Nevada Museum

Things To Do In Elko

Western Shoshone Historic Preservation Society, Wild Horse State Recreation Area, and the Northeastern Nevada Museum are places of interest near Elko. Ruby View Golf Course offers opportunities to play golf. Annual festivals celebrated are the National Basque Festival in June, Elko County Fair in August, the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in January, and the Great Humboldt Duck Race in July. Parks including Ruby Mountains Recreational Area, Jarbidge Recreational Area, Wilson Reservoir Recreational Area, South Fork State Recreational Area, and Ruby Valley Hot Springs offer recreational activities like hiking, swimming, camping, and biking.

Elko Transportation

Air transportation is available from Elko Regional Airport.

Elko Higher Education

Great Basin College is the local college. Nearby colleges include College of Southern Idaho, Weber State University, and Boise State University.

High Points

Elko strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Nevada):

CategoryTrophy
Public Transportation Use
(vs. Peers)
Top 5%trophyElko Public Transportation Use
Well-Paid Single Men
(vs. State)
Top 10%Elko Well-Paid Single Men
Walking and Biking to Work
(vs. Peers)
Top 19%Elko Walking and Biking to Work

Comparative Profile of Elko, NV

Comparing Elko to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Nevada (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Male Share of the Population107
Children Under 5 Years Old109
Well-Paid Single Men810
Racial Diversity75
Well-Paid Single Women69
Age of the Population22
Senior Citizens22
Female Share of the Population15

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Average Household Size77
Portion of People Married67

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Median Family Income69
People in Middle Class or Better68
People Above Poverty68
College Educated Adults46

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Public Transportation Use1010
Walking and Biking to Work95
Short Commute Times53
Working at Home43

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Housing Recently Built97
Seasonal and Vacation Housing95
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals86
Affordability of Property Taxes76
People Living Alone55
Affordability of Rents56

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Low Violent Crime67
Low Property Crime56
Detailed pages on related topics: Colleges in Elko, Elko mortgage and property, Elko travel

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Additional Details

Elko CollegesElko Colleges
Elko colleges and trade schools.
Elko Hotels & TravelElko Hotels & Travel
Elko hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.
Elko MortgageElko Mortgage
Elko property, mortgage, and real estate.

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