City profile · Nevada · Census ACS 2023

Elko, NV

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Elko - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

20,624
Residents
$75,630
Median income
$285,400
Median home
$1,530
Median rent (state)

Elko - the verdict

Elko ranks in the 57th percentile for household income and the 36th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

57th
percentile, household income
62nd
percentile, home value
61st
percentile, median rent
36th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Elko, NV

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 20,624 residents in Elko, a small city within Nevada. Elko households earn a median of $75,630 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.5%. Home values in Elko run a median of $285,400, and the median resident age is 34.3 years. 18.9% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 66.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 67 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Rapid Growth), up 40% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1836.0 in FBI UCR data, near the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Nevada tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Nevada scores 100.0 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,530 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Nevada's average monthly utility costs around $190 (state average). Workers in Elko report an average commute of 23.4 minutes, with 64.2% driving alone and 2.6% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 87.9 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

20,624 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Nevada

Median Household Income

$75,630 /yr

Poverty 9.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Nevada average

How does Elko compare to other US cities?

Where Elko sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 57% higher than other cities
Home value 62% pricier than other cities
Median rent 61% pricier than other cities
Safety 36% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Nevada alone, Elko ranks #4 of 10 Nevada cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Elko's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Nevada, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

57thIncome percentile
36thSafety percentile

57th percentile nationally for median household income · 36th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Elko's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Elko's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 44 Avg. percentile National median
Elko's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Elko's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$285,400 38th percentile more affordable than 38% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Elko $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Elko, NV Elko, NV's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Elko, NV-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Elko, NV median $75,630/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Elko, NV's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Elko, NV. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 18.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 66.9%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
20,624
Median Income
$75,630
Median Home Value
$285,400
Median Age
34.3
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Labor force participation
66.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
18.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1836.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
397.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1438.1
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
14
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
20,400 residents20,600 residents20,800 residents21,000 residents21,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 20,555 residents 21,019 residents ▲ +2.3%
Elko's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
67
housing units authorized
Single-Family
67
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 48
2020 73
2021 100
2022 35
2023 43
2024 67

Permit volume increased 40% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
23.4 minutes
Drive Alone
64.2%
Carpool
15.8%
Public Transit
12.0%
Walk
3.7%
Work from Home
2.6%
Other
1.7%

Based on 10,612 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Nevada - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$105
avg/month
Natural Gas
$30
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$55
avg/month
Total Utilities
$190
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Nevada state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Nevada state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Elko sits in

Cost of Living Index
100.0
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,530/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
87.9 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Nevada

Mesquite
21,314 people
Sun Valley
22,697 people
Fernley
23,631 people
Spanish Springs
17,512 people
Dayton
15,873 people
Spring Creek
14,967 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Elko's 20,624 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Groveland, FL
20,621 people
Shafter, CA
20,618 people
Parma Heights, OH
20,616 people
South St. Paul, MN
20,633 people
Saco, ME
20,636 people
Pittsburg, KS
20,606 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Elko's $75,630 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Dunmore, PA
$75,632 median income
Grubbs, AR
$75,625 median income
Cynthiana, IN
$75,625 median income
Letts, IA
$75,625 median income
Hebron, MD
$75,625 median income
Bigelow, MN
$75,625 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Elko, NV Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Elko, NV - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 69.7% 9.6% 12.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 27.7% White 69.7% Black or African American 1.4% Asian 2.3% American Indian 4.1% Native Hawaiian 0.3% Some other race 9.6% Two or more races 12.7% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Elko compares to nearby Nevada cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Elko (this city) 20,624 $75,630
Mesquite 21,314 $74,439
Sun Valley 22,697 $76,108
Fernley 23,631 $87,991
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NV FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Elko, NV?

What is the population of Elko, NV? +

20,624 people live in Elko, NV according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Elko, NV? +

Elko households earn a median of $75,630 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Elko? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Elko; the closest available measure is the Nevada state average, a cost of living index of 100.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Nevada vary by metro area.

Is Elko, NV safe? +

Elko has a total crime rate of 1836.0 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Elko, NV? +

Homes in Elko carry a median value of $285,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.