2012 City of Elko named City of the Year for 2012, Nevada Travel Network's "2012 Must-See, Must-Do" Awards
Machi's named Restaurant of the Year for 2012, Nevada Travel Network's "2012 Must-See, Must-Do" Awards
The Inn above the Gallery Bar named Hotel of the Year for 2012, Nevada Travel Network's "2012 Must-See, Must-Do" Awards
Elko County ranks No. 2 for Healthiest County in State, University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute
Nevada ranks No. 3 fpr Most Business-Friendly Tax Climate in the 2012 Business Tax Climate Index by Tax Foundation
Nevada ranks No. 5 for potential in geothermal and solar projects, Ernst & Young
Nevada ranks No. 8 among states for development of renewable energy, Ernst & Young
2011
Elko County ranks No. 3 for Healthiest County in State, University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute
Nevada ranks No. 1 in the U.S. for export adaptability and growth, Ball State University Nevada ranks No. 1 in the U.S. for new business launches, Kaufman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity Nevada ranks No. 1 in the U.S. in export intensity and export growth, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Nevada ranks No. 1 in the U.S. in geothermal developments, Geothermal Energy Association Nevada ranks No. 1 in the U.S. for production ofnon fuel mineral comodities in 2012, U.S. Geological Survey Nevada ranks No. 1 in the U.S. in economic development programs in terms of job creation, retention,and training, Good Jobs First Nevada ranks No. 1 in the U.S. for LEED-Certified Building, U.S., Green Building Council Nevada ranks No. 2 in the U.S. for tourist destination in the U.S., Forbes Nevada ranks No. 2 in the annual Small Busines Survival Index, Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council Nevada ranks No. 4 in the U.S. for business tax climate, Tax Foundation Nevada ranks No. 6 for Growth Prospects, Forbes "Best Place for Business" Nevada ranks No. 6 in U.S. for Personal and Economic Freedom,Mercatus Center, George Mason University Nevada ranks No. 7 for Business Costs Forbes "Best Place for Business" Nevada ranks No. 7 for Greenest State in the U.S., Greenopia Nevada ranks No. 9 in the U.S. for fastest internet access, Akamai Nevada ranks No. 10 for Best State for Business, Chief Executive Magazine Nevada leads 15 states in the number of geothermal energy projects in development, Geothermal Energy Association Nevada ranks high in U.S. Chamber of Commerce report "Enterprising States: Recovery and Renewal for the 21st Century" Nevada ties with Georgia for Highest Entrepreneurial Activity in 2010 according to leading indicator the "Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity"
Norman Crampton listed Elko as the number-one "Best Small Town" in this 1993 book, The 100 Best Small Towns in America
Elko County has been featured in many magazines; Family Motor Coaching, Cowboy & Indians, American Cowboy, Illinois Snowmobiler, National Geographic, Nevada Magazine, Where to Retire, Thunder Roads, Sunset, SuperTrax Magazine, Smart Meetings, Spirit of the West, and Public Safety
Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital named Top Performers on Key Quality Measures, The Joint Commission
2007 Elko is designated as a Tree City USA 2008 State of the Rockies Report Card desingated Elko County with an "A" grade in Solar Energy- 23228.5 million MWH/year State of the Rockies Report Card desingated Elko County with an "A" grade in Geothermal- 106.1 Mean Power Class
2003 U.S. Census Bureau defined Elko as a Micropolitan Area Micropolitan Statistical Areas
These are areas with a central county or counties and an urban cluster of 10,000-49,999 people, plus adjacent counties having a high degree of economic and social integration as measured through worker commuting. Multiple counties are included in a Micropolitan Area if at least 25 percent of employed residents in the central county commute to work in one or more adjacent counties. The naming convention for Micropolitan Areas is the same as for Metropolitan Areas, with the largest community presented first. As of June 2003, there were a total of 565 Micropolitan Statistical Areas in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.