Elko County, Nevada

County Distress Index: Normal · 47.7 | 54,293 people · 13th most distressed in Nevada
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Elko County, NV falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 47.7 — 1731st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages are low relative to housing costs, business formation lags, and the local economy lacks dynamism. Within Nevada, it ranks 13th of 17 counties. Among its 9 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Elko County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 65.7 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 65.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 74
Rent-to-Income Ratio 53
Business Formation Rate 55
House Price Change (YoY) 82
Consumer Credit Distress 58.6
Debt in Collections 56
Medical Debt 49
Auto Loan Delinquency 72
Credit Card Delinquency 66
Uninsured Rate 57
Subprime Credit Population 51
Housing Cost Burden 39.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 31
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 28
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 63
Homeownership Rate 69
Legal Distress 32.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 32
Structural Poverty 19.6
Unemployment Rate 45
Poverty Rate 13
Income vs. State Median 23
Child Poverty Rate 16
Disability Rate 20
Transfer Income Dependency 9

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Elko County
Elko County, NV 47.7 Normal —
Owyhee County, ID 52.9 Elevated +5.2
Twin Falls County, ID 50.2 Elevated +2.5
Eureka County, NV 50.1 Elevated +2.4
Lander County, NV 49.5 Normal +1.8
White Pine County, NV 46.7 Normal -1.0
Cassia County, ID 43.1 Normal -4.6
Humboldt County, NV 43.0 Normal -4.7
Tooele County, UT 38.5 Normal -9.2
Box Elder County, UT 31.7 Healthy -16.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Elko County
Licking County, OH 47.7 Normal +0.0
Lake County, OH 47.6 Normal -0.1
Indiana County, PA 47.6 Normal -0.1
Douglas County, KS 47.8 Normal +0.1
Yavapai County, AZ 47.9 Normal +0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Elko County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Elko County

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State Bar of Nevada Lawyer Referral and Information Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

State Bar of Nevada Lawyer Referral and Information Service 702-382-0504

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Elko County residents at no cost.

Nevada Legal Services 702-386-0404 (Las Vegas); 775-284-3491 (Reno)
Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada 702-386-1070
Washoe Legal Services 775-329-2727
State Bar of Nevada Lawyer Referral Service 702-382-0504

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Elko County, Nevada?

    Elko County has a County Distress Index score of 47.7 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,731st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 13th in Nevada out of 17 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Elko County?

    The primary driver of distress in Elko County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 65.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Elko County compare to neighboring counties?

    Elko County (47.7) can be compared to its 9 neighboring counties: Owyhee County, ID (52.9); Twin Falls County, ID (50.2); Eureka County, NV (50.1).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Normal zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Elko County's score of 47.7 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Elko County's CDI score?

    Elko County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Elko County?

    Elko County, Nevada has a population of approximately 54,293 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.