City profile · Washington · Census ACS 2023

Cle Elum, WA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Cle Elum - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

2,078
Residents
$56,912
Median income
$379,300
Median home
$1,454
Median rent (state)

Cle Elum - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Cle Elum lands in the 30th percentile for household income and the 37th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

30th
percentile, household income
75th
percentile, home value
57th
percentile, median rent
37th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Cle Elum, WA

Washington's Cle Elum is a small town, with 2,078 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $56,912 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 10.4%. Home values in Cle Elum run a median of $379,300, and the median resident age is 44.5 years. 16.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 57.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 8 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 68% from five years earlier. Cle Elum reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1795.3 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 46.4°F with 24.7 inches of precipitation per year.

Washington carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Washington scores 107.0 (Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,454 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $188 across Washington, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 89.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

2,078 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Washington

Median Household Income

$56,912 /yr

Poverty 10.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Washington average

How does Cle Elum compare to other US cities?

Here's how Cle Elum stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 30% higher than other cities
Home value 75% pricier than other cities
Median rent 57% pricier than other cities
Safety 37% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Washington and the picture shifts: Cle Elum ranks #67 of 156 Washington cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Cle Elum against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Washington only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Washington-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher places Cle Elum toward the bottom of Washington's cities

Among the 599 Washington cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Cle Elum ranks #457 - the 23rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Cle Elum only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#465 of 565
18th percentile in Washington
Median Gross Rent
#403 of 599
31st percentile in Washington
Median Home Value
#324 of 565
43rd percentile in Washington
Poverty Rate
#144 of 598
76th percentile in Washington
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#457 of 599
23rd percentile in Washington

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Washington only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

30thIncome percentile
37thSafety percentile

30th percentile nationally for median household income · 37th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Cle Elum's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Cle Elum's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 34 Avg. percentile National median
Cle Elum's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Cle Elum's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$379,300 25th percentile more affordable than 25% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Cle Elum $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Cle Elum, WA Cle Elum, WA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Cle Elum, WA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Cle Elum, WA median $56,912/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Cle Elum, WA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Cle Elum, WA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 16.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 10.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
2,078
Median Income
$56,912
Median Home Value
$379,300
Median Age
44.5
Poverty Rate
10.4%
Labor force participation
57.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
16.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1795.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
126.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1669.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
46.4°F
Annual Precipitation
24.7"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,150 residents2,200 residents2,250 residents2,300 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,174 residents 2,288 residents ▲ +5.2%
Cle Elum's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
8
housing units authorized
Single-Family
8
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 25
2020 26
2021 6
2022 5
2023 37
2024 8

Permit volume decreased 68% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
70.4%
Carpool
9.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
7.0%
Work from Home
13.0%

Based on 1,040 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Washington - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$85
avg/month
Natural Gas
$48
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$55
avg/month
Total Utilities
$188
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Washington state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Washington state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Cle Elum sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.0
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,454/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
89.1 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Washington

Monroe North
2,069 people
Southworth
2,109 people
Duluth
2,040 people
Summitview
2,031 people
Fern Prairie
2,132 people
Enetai
2,135 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Cle Elum's 2,078 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Chiefland, FL
2,078 people
Hidden Hills, CA
2,079 people
Toledo, IA
2,079 people
Village of Four Seasons, MO
2,077 people
Sea Isle City, NJ
2,079 people
Hemby Bridge, NC
2,079 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Cle Elum's $56,912 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Watauga, TN
$56,912 median income
Seeley, CA
$56,917 median income
Wachapreague, VA
$56,917 median income
Madisonville, KY
$56,902 median income
Atwater, OH
$56,923 median income
The Hideout, PA
$56,901 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Cle Elum, WA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Cle Elum, WA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 76.7% 14.7% 8.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 11.0% White 76.7% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.6% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 14.7% Two or more races 8.0% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Cle Elum compares to nearby Washington cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Cle Elum (this city) 2,078 $56,912
Monroe North 2,069 $173,203
Southworth 2,109 $123,842
Duluth 2,040 $165,071
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Cle Elum, WA?

What is the population of Cle Elum, WA? +

2,078 people live in Cle Elum, WA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Cle Elum, WA? +

Cle Elum households earn a median of $56,912 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Cle Elum? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Cle Elum; the closest available measure is the Washington state average, a cost of living index of 107.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Washington vary by metro area.

Is Cle Elum, WA safe? +

Cle Elum has a total crime rate of 1795.3 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Cle Elum, WA? +

Cle Elum's median home value sits at $379,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Cle Elum? +

The average annual temperature in Cle Elum runs 46.4°F, 24.7 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.