Esmeralda County Repository Oversight Program

Historically, mining and agriculture have been the two most constant economic activities in the Esmeralda County. They were its original source of income and continue as sources of income today. Their relative importance as a source of income has, however, changed in recent years. During the past one hundred years mining, at times, has dominated the local economy. However, mining has significantly declined over the years in significance. Still earnings in the mining sector serve to stimulate local demand for goods and services provided through other sectors of the economy. Government and retail trade remain sources of jobs in Esmeralda County. Services and manufacturing plays a role in the local economy.

Agriculture, with the major commodities being alfalfa, grain, carrots and livestock, continues to be an economic factor in Esmeralda County. In 1995, the value of total farm marketing for Esmeralda County was $6.590 million, up 6.9 percent over $6163 million in farm marketing in 1990 and up 42.6 percent over $4.620 million in farm marketing in 1985.