Elko by the numbers
- Drive from our Sparks warehouse288 mi, about 4 h 49 min via I-80
- Population20,696
- Households7,608
- Homes owned / rented62.6% / 37.4%
- Median year built1988
- Median home value$309,100
- Moved in the past year17.2%
- Elevation5,112 ft
- CountyElko County
- ZIP codes89801
Data (read 2026-10-19): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates; OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data, free-flow drive from 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks; USGS Elevation Point Query Service.
Elko (ZIP 89801) sits at 5,112 feet in northeastern Nevada. It is the youngest town here by median age, 33.2, with 62.6 percent of households owning their homes. The drive from Sparks is about 4 h 49 min, close to five hours.
What the City of Elko provides
The City of Elko's utilities page says the city provides sewer, water and landfill services, while private companies provide electricity, propane, natural gas, waste hauling, internet and telephone service. Elko Sanitation hauls municipal solid waste. The city's website has a utility payment link, and the Water Billing Department is the place for new water accounts.
Elko County offices
Elko County, whose site is elkocountynv.net, handles the Assessor, Recorder, Clerk and Treasurer functions. The county seat is Elko, so a property purchase is easy to complete in person. Many Elko County parcels are large rural tracts, so ask the Assessor about acreage and water rights.
Schools: Elko County School District
The Elko County School District, with its website at ecsdnv.net, runs the public schools. Registration needs proof of address and immunizations. The district is large, so confirm which school serves your address.
The DMV on Idaho Street
The Elko DMV office is at 3920 Idaho Street, Elko, NV 89801, open Monday to Friday 8 am to 5 pm. Appointments are required for most services; the DMV says VIN inspections can be done without one at Elko. See the vehicle registration guide.
Who moves to Elko
Census estimates show 30.3 percent of Elko householders moved in during 2020 or later and a median household income near $79,036, with median home value near $309,100. Elko serves as the hub of northeastern Nevada, so it has a hospital, a college and a busy I-80 corridor. Weather is colder and drier than Reno at 5,112 feet, so read the weather and climate guide.
What the long haul means for planning
At 289 minutes, a move to Elko takes a full day of driving, so the packing plan matters more than for a local move. Label boxes by room, keep a bag of essentials with you, and confirm the delivery window on your written estimate. Packing options include full, partial and box packing only; see packing services.
A long-distance move within Nevada
Elko is part of the O'Brien's rural Nevada service area. Moves within Nevada are priced from a tariff approved by the Nevada Transportation Authority, and your written estimate explains what applies. Book a free in-home estimate with 10 free heavy-duty boxes.