city, seat (1869) of Elko county, northeastern Nevada, U.S., in the Humboldt River valley. It originated in 1868 as a construction camp along the Central Pacific Railroad. Fancifully named by railroad construction superintendent Charles Crocker for the high desert's abundant elk, the town developed as a transportation and communications centre. The present economy of the city is based on the raising of livestock (cattle and sheep), some mining (gold, silver, and copper), freight handling, and tourism. Great Basin College was established there in 1967. Elko is surrounded by segments of the Humboldt National Forest, which is headquartered in the city. Inc. 1917. Pop. (1990) 14,736; (2000) 16,708.

county, northeastern corner of Nevada, U.S., bordering Idaho on the north and Utah on the east. The county is mountainous, including the Independence, Ruby, and Pequop ranges, with occasional valleys and a high plateau in the northwest, and contains two large segments of Humboldt National Forest (north and centre). The county was created in 1869. The county seat is Elko, site of the annual Basque Festival which celebrates the immigrant sheepherders of the county.

Ranching, farming, and mining are the long-time economic mainstays. Area 17,181 square miles (44,500 square km). Pop. (2000) 45,291; (2007 est.) 47,010.