Nevada

Elko

53,702
2020 population
1870
first census record
16
census records

About Elko

Elko, Nevada, first appears in the United States federal census in 1870, when it recorded a population of 3,447. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 53,702.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, 8 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Gravelly Ford Massacre (or verify location — coordinates are in Elko County area, not Humboldt), Pony Express Route Attacks — Nevada-Utah (1860), Humboldt River Massacres — Nevada (1861–1862), and 6 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202053,702
201048,818
200045,291
199033,530
198017,269
197013,958
196012,011
195011,654
194010,912
19309,960
19208,083
19108,133
19005,688
18904,794
18805,716
18703,447
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Elko

Military engagements that took place in Elko, Nevada.

Gravelly Ford Massacre (or verify location — coordinates are in Elko County area, not Humboldt)
1859
Pony Express Route Attacks — Nevada-Utah (1860)
1860
Humboldt River Massacres — Nevada (1861–1862)
1861
Egan's Canyon Fight — Idaho-Wyoming Area (1862)
1862
Ruby Valley Skirmish
1862
Elko Area Shoshone Skirmish
1863
Tuscarora Mining Camp Violence, Elko County NV
1878
Elko County Range Wars, Northeastern NV
1889

Historic places in Elko

National Register of Historic Places listings in Elko, Nevada.

Ruby Valley Pony Express Station
Elko
Elko County Courthouse
Elko
Midas Schoolhouse
Midas
US Post Office-Elko Main
Elko
Gold Creek Ranger Station
Mountain City
Browse all Nevadahistoric sites ›

Other counties in Nevada

Explore census history and historic records for more Nevada counties.

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Everything a full report reveals about Elko County, Nevada

This page charts the census history of Elko County, Nevada. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Frequently asked about Elko

When does Elko first appear in the US census?
Elko, Nevada first appears in the federal census in 1870, with a recorded population of 3,447.
What is the population of Elko?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Elko had a recorded population of 53,702.
Were any battles fought in Elko?
8 documented military engagements took place in Elko, including Gravelly Ford Massacre (or verify location — coordinates are in Elko County area, not Humboldt), Pony Express Route Attacks — Nevada-Utah (1860), Humboldt River Massacres — Nevada (1861–1862).
How many historic places are in Elko?
6 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Elko, Nevada.
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