CountyScore

Elko County

Nevada · NV

#12 in Nevada
66.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Elko County, Nevada

Elko County beats national median solidly

Elko County's score of 66.6 ranks in the 72nd percentile nationally, exceeding the U.S. median of 50.0 by 16.6 points. The northeastern Nevada county demonstrates above-average livability driven by strong incomes and low housing costs.

Second-highest among Nevada counties

Elko County scores 66.6, making it the second-best performer among the eight profiled Nevada counties, just 2.9 points below the state average. The county ranks among Nevada's most livable communities overall.

Income, health, and affordable housing excel

Elko County shines with an income score of 37.8 and median household earnings of $83,427, among Nevada's highest. A health score of 68.5 combined with an exceptional cost score of 70.1 and $1,126/month median rent create strong household economics.

Tax rates and risk require consideration

The effective tax rate of 0.508% runs slightly higher than some peer counties, and the risk score of 12.1 suggests modest environmental vulnerabilities. Neither represents a major concern but reflects tradeoffs in the county's profile.

Ideal for professionals seeking balance

Elko County suits working families and young professionals drawn to northern Nevada's employment base, particularly mining and energy sectors. The county delivers solid incomes, health outcomes, and affordable housing—a true middle-ground for balanced living.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax88Cost70.1SafetyComing SoonHealth68.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome37.8Risk12.1WaterComing Soon
🏛88
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠70.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼37.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡12.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Elko County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Broomfield County
Colorado
66.6
Median income: $121,025
Pueblo County
Colorado
66.6
Median income: $62,250
Coffee County
Georgia
66.6
Median income: $50,175
Wayne County
Georgia
66.6
Median income: $49,562
Tippecanoe County
Indiana
66.6
Median income: $58,622

Deep Dives

Elko County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Elko County

via TaxByCounty

Elko taxes rank well below national median

Elko County's median property tax of $1,434 runs 47% lower than the national median of $2,690, while home values closely match the national average at $282,400. The 0.508% effective tax rate places Elko in the bottom 25% of U.S. counties for property tax burden.

Slightly below Nevada's average rate

Elko County's 0.508% effective tax rate sits just below Nevada's state average of 0.525%, making it a competitive option within the state. The county offers a balanced tax environment for rural Nevada residents.

Most affordable of northeast Nevada

Elko County residents pay just $1,434 in median annual property tax—the lowest among its neighbors and well below Churchill County's $1,670 to the north. Home values and tax rates both align closely with the statewide profile.

Annual tax on Elko properties

The median Elko County home valued at $282,400 generates approximately $1,434 in annual property tax. With mortgages, taxpayers pay roughly $1,674; without mortgages, payments drop to about $1,120.

Appeal if your home is overassessed

Rural Nevada counties like Elko sometimes struggle with accurate property valuations, leaving homeowners overassessed relative to market conditions. Filing an appeal is free and can yield meaningful reductions in your annual tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Elko County

via CostByCounty

Elko offers genuine affordability relief

Elko County's 16.2% rent-to-income ratio ranks well below Nevada's state average of 18.1% and the national baseline, making it one of Nevada's most affordable counties. With a median household income of $83,427 and median rent of just $1,126, renters here spend less than one-sixth of income on housing.

Elko leads Nevada in affordability

Elko County is Nevada's most affordable county by rent-to-income ratio at 16.2%, significantly better than the state average of 18.1%. Its strong median household income of $83,427—boosted by mining and energy industries—provides residents with genuine spending power beyond housing.

Rural strength with solid wages

Elko's $1,126 rent matches Nevada's state median exactly and is $77 below Carson City, yet Elko's $83,427 median income exceeds most rural neighbors. Its $282,400 median home value is affordable compared to Douglas ($587,400) or Carson City ($426,700), reflecting strong affordability across both rental and owner-occupied markets.

Housing costs stay well below threshold

Renters allocate just 16.2% of their $83,427 income to a $1,126 monthly rent, leaving substantial funds for savings and discretionary spending. Homeowners pay 16.9% toward $1,170 monthly costs, and the median home value of $282,400 is accessible to middle-income households in this mining-dependent region.

Elko County: Nevada's affordability winner

Elko County offers the best housing affordability-to-income ratio in Nevada, ideal for remote workers or those relocating for mining and energy jobs. If you're currently paying more than 16.2% of income for housing, Elko delivers measurable relief with a strong local job market and solid wages.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Elko County

via IncomeByCounty

Elko County Exceeds U.S. Income Average

Elko County's median household income of $83,427 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by over $8,600, placing it well above the U.S. midpoint. The county outpaces Nevada's state average of $75,206 by $8,221, reflecting strong mining, energy, and agricultural sector wages.

Nevada's Second-Highest Income County

Elko County ranks second only to Douglas County ($88,018) in Nevada's income hierarchy, driven by mining operations, energy production, and ranching employment. The county's $83,427 median household income is significantly higher than mid-tier counties like Clark ($73,845) and Churchill ($73,268).

Economic Strength in Nevada's Northeast

Elko County's $83,427 income substantially exceeds Eureka County ($73,095) and Humboldt County ($79,946), establishing it as the economic leader of northeastern Nevada. The county's extractive industries generate higher wage floors than counties dependent on tourism or government employment.

Lowest Rent Burden in the State

Elko County boasts Nevada's lowest rent-to-income ratio at just 16.2%, meaning households spend only about one-sixth of income on rent, far below the 30% affordability threshold. Combined with the state's lowest median home value of $282,400, Elko offers exceptional housing affordability relative to median income.

Maximize Housing Advantage for Savings

Elko County's combination of high income and low housing costs creates an ideal environment for rapid wealth accumulation and financial independence. Channel savings from below-average housing costs into retirement accounts, education funds, and investment portfolios to compound your earning advantage over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Elko County

via HealthByCounty

Elko County's life expectancy slightly trails nationally

At 75.3 years, Elko County residents live about 3.5 years less than the U.S. average of 78.8 years. Just over one in six residents (18.2%) report poor or fair health, below national averages. This rural mining and ranching county shows reasonable health outcomes for a sparsely populated region.

Slightly above Nevada's health average

Elko County's 75.3-year life expectancy marginally exceeds Nevada's state average of 75.2 years, placing it in the middle tier of state counties. The 18.2% poor/fair health rate ranks among Nevada's better outcomes, suggesting Elko residents perceive their health positively. The county's outcomes reflect a stable, working-age population in a resource-driven economy.

Middle-ground health profile in rural Nevada

Elko County's 75.3-year life expectancy sits between high-performing Douglas County (79.1 years) and struggling rural peers like Eureka (69.7 years). Its 18.2% poor/fair health rate is better than Humboldt County (23.0%) but trails Douglas (14.3%). Elko represents typical rural Nevada health outcomes.

Limited primary care in rural Elko

Elko County's 10.3% uninsured rate matches state averages, suggesting reasonable insurance uptake for a rural county. However, the county has only 35 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—Nevada's lowest—reflecting classic rural access challenges. Mental health providers (109 per 100K) are also scarce, limiting behavioral health options for residents.

Secure coverage in Elko County

One in ten Elko County residents (10.3%) lack health insurance despite statewide availability of affordable plans. The Nevada Health Insurance Marketplace operates year-round with special enrollment periods for qualifying life events. Call 1-800-318-2596 or visit healthcare.gov to explore subsidized coverage options designed for rural Nevada families.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Elko County

via RiskByCounty

Elko County faces elevated national risk

With a composite risk score of 87.91, Elko County exceeds the U.S. average of 50 by 76%, earning a "Relatively Moderate" rating. The county's northeastern Nevada position creates intense wildfire exposure that drives this above-average vulnerability.

Second-riskiest county in Nevada

Elko County's 87.91 score ranks second statewide, exceeded only by Clark County's 99.55 and ahead of all others. At nearly double Nevada's state average of 46.25, Elko faces disproportionate hazard concentration driven primarily by wildfire risk.

Clear hazard leader in rural Nevada

Elko County's 87.91 stands well above neighboring Eureka County (5.18) and Humboldt County (40.84), making it the clear regional hazard outlier. This dramatic difference illustrates how wildfire exposure—scoring 99.87 here—varies sharply across northeastern Nevada's landscape.

Wildfire risk dominates the county

Wildfire risk reaches 99.87—the highest score among all Nevada counties—reflecting Elko's position in the Great Basin's fire-prone rangelands. Earthquake risk scores 84.16 and flood risk 54.55, both significant but secondary to the overwhelming wildfire threat.

Wildfire insurance is your priority

Elko County residents must secure wildfire coverage immediately—standard homeowners policies exclude this hazard, and with risk at 99.87, gaps are dangerous. Earthquake coverage at 84.16 and flood awareness at 54.55 are also important, but wildfire protection is non-negotiable here.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.