Key economic metrics in Elko County slowed slightly in early 2023. County-wide employment reached 24,710 in April 2023, 1.8 percent lower than April of last year. The latest dip continued the broad decline of employment in the county, which has fallen steadily since peaking at 26,345 in April 2021. The Elko County labor force followed a similar pattern, growing slightly over the first few months of the year but falling short of April 2022 by 1.0 percent. The county unemployment rate also crept up since last spring, reaching 3.7 percent in April 2023 compared to 2.9 percent the prior year. Despite the uptick, the unemployment rate was the fifth-lowest in the state.

Despite moderation in employment, consumer activity metrics remained at or near record levels. Taxable retail sales in Elko County dipped 1.3 percent over the year to $171.1 million in March 2023. While that ended a streak of 10 straight months of growth, the monthly total was the seventh-highest ever recorded, and the trailing 12-month total climbed to an all-time high of $2.0 billion. Gross gaming revenue dipped 0.1 percent to $33.6 million in April 2023, which held the trailing 12-month total at $402.2 million, a 6.1 percent increase over the year.

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