Elko County

Cities and Towns in Elko County

• Elko – City (County Seat)
• Carlin – City
• Wells – City
• West Wendover – City
• Spring Creek – Unincorporated
• Jackpot – Unincorporated
• Mountain City – Unincorporated
• Tuscarora – Unincorporated

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.

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.

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.