City · Washington
Ellensburg, Washington
Ellensburg, city, in Kittitas County, Washington. Ellensburg had 21,308 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.3% from the Bureau's April 2020 estimates base of 21,580; the 2020 Census counted 18,666 on the place as it was defined then and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 20,874 (±52). GEOID 5321240.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
21,308
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 18,666 · ACS 2020-2024: 20,874 ±52
Median household income
$55,438
±$11,347 (90% margin)
Washington: $98,141
Median home value
$404,100
±$19,812 (90% margin)
Washington: $564,600
Median gross rent
$1,340
±$57 (90% margin)
Washington: $1,760
Where is Ellensburg and what county is it in?
Ellensburg is a city in Kittitas County, Washington. It covers 8.7 square miles of land, 2,151 residents per square mile in 2020.
Ellensburg is in the Ellensburg, WA micropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Ellensburg, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 21,308 people lived in Ellensburg on July 1, 2025, down 1.3% since 2020, while Washington grew 3.8%. The Census Bureau's yearly estimates start from its own April 2020 base for Ellensburg, 21,580, which differs from the 2020 Census count of 18,666: the estimates follow the place as the estimates program defines it today (its present boundaries, and for a consolidated city-county the area the program assigns it), so the change since 2020 is measured from that base. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 20,874 (±52).
| Measure | Ellensburg | Kittitas County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 20,874 ±52 | 47,172 | +707 |
| Households | 8,972 ±404 | 19,993 | +1,133 |
| Average household size | 2.16 ±0.10 | 2.28 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,508 ±379 | 24,674 | +1,011 |
Ellensburg's population since 2000
From 15,414 in 2000 to 21,308 in 2025: up 38.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Ellensburg as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Ellensburg?
The median resident of Ellensburg is 25.0 years old; 14.5% are under 18 and 9.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 75.8%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 12.8%. 5.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Ellensburg | Kittitas County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 25.0 ±0.8 | 35.8 | +1.5 |
| Under 18 years | 14.5% ±1.6 pts | 16.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 9.9% ±1.5 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Male | 47.4% ±1.5 pts | 50.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 12.8% ±1.8 pts | 10.5% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 75.8% ±2.3 pts | 79.3% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.1% ±0.6 pts | 1.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.6% ±0.9 pts | 1.7% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.5% ±1.2 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.9% ±1.8 pts | 4.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.5% ±2.4 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.9% ±1.7 pts | 7.6% | – |
| With a disability | 16.3% ±2.6 pts | 16.2% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.3% ±1.9 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.5% ±2.0 pts | 93.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 41.4% ±4.4 pts | 37.0% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 18.1% ±3.5 pts | 13.9% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 68.5% ±3.4 pts | 81.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 5.4% ±2.2 pts | 3.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Ellensburg earn?
Half of Ellensburg's 8,972 households earn less than $55,438 a year (±$11,347), against $73,804 in Kittitas County and $98,141 in Washington. In 2015-2019 it was $48,791 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 22.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Ellensburg | Kittitas County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $55,438 ±$11,347 | $73,804 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $70,140 ±$5,342 | $102,663 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,113 ±$1,778 | $43,661 | +$4,941 |
| People below the poverty line | 22.4% ±3.2 pts | 14.4% | −8.5 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 21.5% ±9.3 pts | 15.1% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 18.5% ±3.7 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.9% ±2.0 pts | 96.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.2% ±2.7 pts | 90.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Ellensburg?
Owners occupy 32.9% of Ellensburg's occupied homes and renters 67.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $404,100 by its owner (±$19,812). The median renter pays $1,340 a month including utilities, and 51.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Ellensburg | Kittitas County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $404,100 ±$19,812 | $497,400 | +$116,118 |
| Median gross rent | $1,340 ±$57 | $1,341 | +$104 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 51.7% ±6.0 pts | 47.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,854 ±$95 | $2,232 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 32.9% ±3.9 pts | 61.5% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 67.1% ±3.9 pts | 38.5% | – |
| Housing units | 9,508 ±379 | 24,674 | +1,011 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.6% ±2.5 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.6% ±2.1 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 44.2% ±3.5 pts | 70.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.8% ±1.2 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.6% ±1.2 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 14.5% ±3.2 pts | 14.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.4% ±2.5 pts | 11.8% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.8% ±2.4 pts | 4.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Ellensburg building?
Builders took permits for 55 new housing units in Ellensburg in 2025 (55 in single-family houses), 2.6 per 1,000 residents against 4.4 across Washington.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Ellensburg work and get to work?
68.7% of Ellensburg's workers drive alone and 10.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 17.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 8.9%.
| Measure | Ellensburg | Kittitas County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.7% ±3.7 pts | 61.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.9% ±2.8 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 68.7% ±4.0 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.8% ±2.3 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.9% ±0.7 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 8.9% ±2.3 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.2% ±2.3 pts | 13.8% | +8.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 17.5 min ±1.9 | 23.3 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Ellensburg?
5 census tracts lie mostly in Ellensburg, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $38,661 (Tract 9754.04) to $82,303 (Tract 9755).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9754.04Kittitas County | 5,492 | $38,661 |
| Tract 9755Kittitas County | 6,524 | $82,303 |
| Tract 9754.02Kittitas County | 4,952 | $62,455 |
| Tract 9756Kittitas County | 2,624 | $49,606 |
| Tract 9754.03Kittitas County | 2,209 | $72,301 |
| Tract 9753Kittitas County | 5,517 | $94,235 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Ellensburg) · Census block assignment files
How does Ellensburg compare with other places in Washington?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Ellensburg is the 1,829th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 55th-most populous of 281 in Washington.
Ellensburg ranks 358th of 387 places in Washington with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 55th | 281 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 178th | 203 |
| Residents per square mile | 133rd | 394 |
| Median household income | 358th | 387 |
| Per capita income | 340th | 393 |
| Median home value | 274th | 384 |
| Median gross rent | 237th | 351 |
| Poverty rate | 21st | 281 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 102nd | 382 |
| Median age | 380th | 394 |
| Owner-occupied share | 385th | 388 |
| Work from home | 245th | 307 |
| Travel time to work | 358th | 394 |
Ellensburg's figures with every place in Washington (CSV)
Every place in Washington, sortable · Compare Ellensburg with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Ellensburg?
6 of the 57 figures for Ellensburg on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Ellensburg are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Ellensburg.