Elko
Nevada

What stands out

Against every county in America, Elko County is unusual in three ways: home internet speed is among the fastest in America (338 Mbps), rainfall is in the bottom 4% of American counties (12 inches a year), and the median household income is in the top 7% of American counties ($87,755). Within Nevada it ranks 1st of 17 counties for home internet speed.

Where you are

You live in Elko County, Nevada. 53,600 people live here with you. The population grew 0.6% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +253).

Nevada has no income tax, no estate tax and no corporate income tax, funded largely by gaming and sales taxes and a payroll tax on employers. Las Vegas and Reno account for nearly all of the population growth, much of it from California. Property taxes are low and annual increases on a primary home are capped at 3%. Water supply from the Colorado River is the long-term constraint.

Money

The typical household here brings in $87,755 a year, higher than 93% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $64,165. Unemployment runs 3.2%, lower than 57% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home.

Nevada has no state income tax, so none of that goes to the state.

Home

The median home costs $371K, pricier than 82% of American counties, about 2.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,079 a month. Property tax is 0.53% of home value, roughly $1,456 a year on that median home, lower than 85% of American counties. 68% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.4 per 1,000 residents, higher than 77% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 35 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 76.6 years, longer than 59% of American counties. There are 49 active physicians in the county, about 9.1 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 12.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.77 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 83% of American counties. 89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 51 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 60% of eligible voters turned out. Under Nevada law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 48°F, highs near 62 and lows near 34, colder than 82% of American counties. About 12 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 93 out of 100, riskier than 93% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 338 Mbps down, faster than almost every county in America. There are 13 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery, 3 museums.