Elko County’s economy registered another quarter of steady growth, as many key metrics continued to improve from the depths related to the COVID- 19 pandemic. Countywide employment ticked up to 26,384 in September, an increase of 0.8 percent over the prior month and up 2.5 percent compared to the same month a year ago. The monthly unemployment rate decreased from 3.4 percent to 2.7 percent in September, an improvement of 1.7 percentage points compared to a year ago.

Taxable retail sales in Elko County stabilized at $153.4 million in August, a 0.2 percent decline from the prior month but 10.7 percent higher than a year ago. Of note, sales for the county’s food services and drinking places industry reached $11.1 million in August, 23.2 percent higher than the prior year. On a trailing 12-month basis, Elko County’s taxable retail sales climbed to $1.75 billion, 6.6 percent higher than last year and a new all-time high.

Gross gaming revenues in Elko County rose to $30.2 million in September, 4.1 percent higher from last month and 19.7 percent higher than the prior year. Gaming revenues on a trailing 12-month basis reached a record high of $351.7 million, an increase of 42.7 percent over the past year. The upward trends in consumer spending and gaming reflect the combination of pent-up demand and a surplus of savings and personal income from federal stimulus programs.

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