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Elko County: Difference between revisions

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<div style="font-weight:bold; text-align:center; margin-bottom:0.5em;">Cities and Towns in Elko County</div>
<div style="font-weight:bold; text-align:center; margin-bottom:0.5em;">Cities and Towns in Elko County</div>
<categorytree mode=pages depth=1>Elko County</categorytree>
<ul>
<li>[[Elko]] – City (County Seat)</li>
<li>[[Carlin]] – City</li>
<li>[[Wells]] – City</li>
<li>[[West Wendover]] – City</li>
<li>[[Spring Creek]] – Unincorporated</li>
<li>[[Jackpot]] – Unincorporated</li>
<li>[[Mountain City]] – Unincorporated</li>
<li>[[Tuscarora]] – Unincorporated</li>
</ul>
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'''Elko County''' is one of the largest counties in the continental United States by area, located in the northeastern part of [[Nevada]]. It spans more than 17,000 square miles—larger than the entire state of Massachusetts—and is known for its wide-open spaces and rugged terrain.<ref name="ElkoSize">Elko County Official Website. ''About Elko County''. Retrieved May 8, 2025, from https://www.elkocountynv.net</ref>
'''Elko County''' is located in northeastern [[Nevada]] and is the fourth-largest county in the continental United States by land area. As of the 2020 Census, Elko County had a population of approximately 53,700 people.<ref name="census">U.S. Census Bureau. ''QuickFacts: Elko County, Nevada''. Retrieved May 8, 2025, from https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/elkocountynevada</ref>


Despite its size, the population remains relatively small, with an estimated 55,000 residents as of 2023.<ref name="USCensusElko">U.S. Census Bureau. ''QuickFacts: Elko County, Nevada''. Retrieved May 8, 2025, from https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/elkocountynevada</ref> The county was established in 1869 during a period of western expansion and named after the city of [[Elko, Nevada|Elko]], its county seat.<ref name="NVHistory">Nevada State Library and Archives. ''Nevada Historical Records: County Formation''. Retrieved May 8, 2025, from https://nsla.nv.gov</ref>
Established in 1869, Elko County was formed from part of Lander County and named after the city of [[Elko]], which remains the county seat. The area developed rapidly with the arrival of the Central Pacific Railroad and later became a key hub for Nevada’s gold mining industry.<ref name="history">Nevada State Archives. ''Elko County History Overview''. Retrieved May 8, 2025, from https://nsla.nv.gov</ref>


The city of Elko serves as a regional hub for the area’s dominant industries—ranching, mining, and rail freight.<ref name="ElkoEconomy">Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation. ''Elko County Economic Overview''. Retrieved May 8, 2025, from https://detr.nv.gov</ref> Culturally, it's known for the annual [[National Cowboy Poetry Gathering]], a weeklong celebration of Western storytelling and heritage that draws visitors from around the world.<ref name="CowboyPoetry">Western Folklife Center. ''National Cowboy Poetry Gathering''. Retrieved May 8, 2025, from https://www.westernfolklife.org</ref>
Today, the county supports a diverse economy including **mining**, **ranching**, and **tourism**. Communities such as [[Carlin]], [[Wells]], and [[West Wendover]] play important roles in regional transportation, energy, and recreation. [[Spring Creek]], a large residential subdivision, is one of Nevada’s largest unincorporated communities.
 
Elko County is also home to scenic mountain ranges and wilderness areas, including parts of the **Ruby Mountains**, **Jarbidge Wilderness**, and **Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest**. The region is culturally rich, with annual events like the [[National Cowboy Poetry Gathering]] and a strong Western heritage.


Beyond the city limits, Elko County includes several other communities such as [[Wells, Nevada|Wells]], [[Carlin, Nevada|Carlin]], and [[West Wendover, Nevada|West Wendover]], as well as multiple tribal lands and reservations.<ref name="ElkoTowns">Elko Convention & Visitors Authority. ''Communities of Elko County''. Retrieved May 8, 2025, from https://exploreelko.com</ref> The landscape is part of the [[Great Basin]]—dry, remote, and ecologically diverse. Popular natural attractions include the [[Ruby Mountains]], often called the “Swiss Alps of Nevada,” which offer hiking, climbing, and backcountry skiing opportunities.<ref name="RubyMountains">U.S. Forest Service. ''Ruby Mountains Ranger District''. Retrieved May 8, 2025, from https://www.fs.usda.gov</ref>
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