Elsk is mentioned in manuscripts since the XVI century, sometimes as Korolin. It was a part of Mozyr district in the Great Duchy of Lithuania. Since the 01.01.1954 it was a district center in Gomel province. Since 05.07.1971 it is a city.

Nowadays Elsk is a city with a highly developed economic and infrastructure. Its population is above 10 000. The most of citizens work at the largest enterprise, Elsk furniture factory which sells its production in Belarus and abroad. The timber industry enterprise, the forestry, the building materials industrial complex, the concrete products plants, "Stend", the farming equipment plant extend their production output.

Guide to towns and district centers of Republic of Belarus. A.V. Varivonchik [etc.]