The Elko County economy stabilized into the second half of the year, with most key metrics showing notable annual growth. Employment in the county measured 24,533 jobs in November 2022, a 1.0 percent decline from October 2022 but an increase of 2.9 percent over the year. The unemployment rate remained among the lowest in Nevada at 3.3 percent, which was down 0.1 percentage points over the month and up 1.2 percentage points from the near-record low a year earlier. The unemployment rate increase over that time reflects the rebound in the county’s labor force as employment opportunities improved. The number of people working or looking for work increased 4.2 percent over the past year.

Total private sector wages in Elko County have climbed with employment through the second quarter of 2022, increasing 2.0 percent over the year to $273.9 million. Consumer spending metrics continued to report strong annual growth. Elko County taxable retail sales in September 2022 dipped 2.4 percent over the month to $173.6 million, though that remained almost $18 million higher (+11.5 percent) than a year prior. Similarly, gross gaming revenue in October 2022 was up almost $3 million over the year, increasing 9.3 percent to $35.2 million. Since late 2021 both retail sales and gaming revenue have exceeded their pre-pandemic levels due to the combination of pent-up demand, federal stimulus funds and rising wages.

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