Elko County Demographics

A map of Elko County's Population by Race

Elko County, Nevada has an estimated population of 54,047, a less than 1% change from the 53,702 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 61.1% White, 26.0% Hispanic, 5.5% Multiracial, 5.1% Native American/Other, 1.4% Asian, and 0.8% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of Elko County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Elko has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Nevada overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Elko County, that probability was 52.6% in 2020 and 55.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Elko County is ranked the 6th most populous county in Nevada, out of 17 counties. Elko County was ranked the 5th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Elko County's White Population

33,049 residents of Elko County, or 61.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Elko County is significantly higher than in Nevada overall, where 44.8% of the population is White. Elko County ranks 12th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 17 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Elko County's White population has declined by an estimated 3.3%. White residents' share of Elko County's population has decreased from 63.6% to 61.1%.

Elko County is more White than neighboring Jerome County (56.8% White). Elko County is less White than neighboring Twin Falls County (75.3% White), Eureka County (80.9% White), Owyhee County (67.8% White), and White Pine County (71.5% White).

Elko County's Black Population

426 residents of Elko County, or 0.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Elko County is lower than in Nevada overall, where 9% of the population is Black. Elko County ranks 10th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 17 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Elko County's Black population has declined by an estimated 13.8%. Black residents' share of Elko County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Elko County is more Black than neighboring Eureka County (0.1% Black), Owyhee County (0.5% Black), and Jerome County (0.1% Black). Elko County is less Black than neighboring White Pine County (5.9% Black).

Elko County's Asian Population

782 residents of Elko County, or 1.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Elko County is lower than in Nevada overall, where 8.8% of the population is Asian. Elko County ranks 12th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 17 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Elko County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 40.9%. Asian residents' share of Elko County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.4%.

Elko County is more Asian than neighboring Twin Falls County (1.1% Asian), Owyhee County (0.1% Asian), White Pine County (0.3% Asian), and Jerome County (0% Asian). Elko County is less Asian than neighboring Eureka County (2.7% Asian).

Elko County's Hispanic Population

14,063 residents of Elko County, or 26.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Elko County is slightly lower than in Nevada overall, where 29.6% of the population is Hispanic. Elko County ranks 4th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 17 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Elko County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 3.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Elko County's population has increased from 25.3% to 26.0%.

Elko County is more Hispanic than neighboring Twin Falls County (18% Hispanic), Eureka County (5.4% Hispanic), Owyhee County (24.8% Hispanic), and White Pine County (16.5% Hispanic). Elko County is less Hispanic than neighboring Jerome County (39.2% Hispanic).

Elko County's Native American/Other Population

2,771 residents of Elko County, or 5.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Elko County is slightly higher than in Nevada overall, where 1.9% of the population is Native American/Other. Elko County ranks 2nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 17 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Elko County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 2.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Elko County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.1%.

Elko County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Twin Falls County (1% Native American/Other), Eureka County (3.3% Native American/Other), Owyhee County (2.4% Native American/Other), White Pine County (3.8% Native American/Other), and Jerome County (0.2% Native American/Other).

Elko County's Multiracial Population

2,956 residents of Elko County, or 5.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Elko County is comparable to the share in Nevada overall, where 6% of the population is Multiracial. Elko County ranks 14th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 17 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Elko County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 36.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Elko County's population has increased from 4.0% to 5.5%.

Elko County is more Multiracial than neighboring Twin Falls County (3.7% Multiracial), Owyhee County (4.3% Multiracial), White Pine County (1.9% Multiracial), and Jerome County (3.6% Multiracial). Elko County is less Multiracial than neighboring Eureka County (7.6% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.