Ellensburg
City in Kittitas County, Washington
Ellensburg is a city in Kittitas County, Washington, with 18,666 residents (2020 Census). It sits at 1,542 ft (470 m) above sea level. The nearest town is Kittitas, 6.3 miles E.
- 18,666residents (2020 Census)
- 1,542 ftelevation · 470 m
- 8.8 sq miland area · 22.9 km²
- 2,113 / sq mipopulation density
- 98934ZIP code
About Ellensburg
Ellensburg is a city in and the county seat of Kittitas County, Washington, United States. It is located just east of the Cascade Range near the junction of Interstate 90 and Interstate 82. The population was 18,666 at the 2020 census, and was estimated to be 20,996 in 2024.
The city is located along the Yakima River in the Kittitas Valley, an agricultural region that extends east towards the Columbia River. The valley is a major producer of timothy hay, which is processed and shipped internationally. Ellensburg is also the home of Central Washington University (CWU).
Ellensburg, originally named Ellensburgh for the wife of town founder John Alden Shoudy, was founded in 1871 and grew rapidly in the 1880s following the arrival of the Northern Pacific Railway. The city was once a leading candidate to become the state capital of Washington, but its campaign was scuppered by a major fire in 1889.
Text: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Living in Ellensburg
- Median household income
- $55,438
- Median home value
- $404,100
- Median rent
- $1,340/mo
- Median age
- 25
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Map of Ellensburg
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Open in Google Maps ›Ellensburg, WA population
Ellensburg had 18,666 residents in the 2020 Census.
| 2020 Census | 18,666 |
|---|---|
| Density | 2,113 per sq mi (816 per km²) |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census.
Ellensburg at a glance
| State | Washington (WA) |
|---|---|
| County | Kittitas County |
| Type | City |
| Population | 18,666 (2020) |
| Land area | 8.83 sq mi (22.9 km²) |
| Water area | 0.11 sq mi (0.28 km²) |
| Elevation | 1,542 ft (470 m) |
| Coordinates | 47.0001° N, 120.5495° W |
| ZIP code | 98934 |
| Official website | ci.ellensburg.wa.us |
| Census code (GEOID) | 5321240 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Gazetteer, ZCTA), USGS GNIS, Wikidata.
Towns near Ellensburg
- Kittitas6.3 mi E
- Thorp7.3 mi NW
- Naches20.1 mi S
- Nile21.8 mi SW
- Tieton22.7 mi SW
- South Cle Elum22.9 mi NW
- Cle Elum23.2 mi NW
- Eschbach23.5 mi S
- Gleed23.7 mi S
- Cliffdell23.9 mi W
- Cowiche23.9 mi S
- Selah24.5 mi S
Straight-line distance between town centers.
Frequently asked questions about Ellensburg
What county is Ellensburg in?
Ellensburg is in Kittitas County, Washington.
What is the population of Ellensburg, WA?
18,666 people lived in Ellensburg at the 2020 Census.
What is the ZIP code of Ellensburg, WA?
The ZIP code of Ellensburg is 98934.
What is the elevation of Ellensburg?
1,542 feet (470 m) above sea level.
What towns are near Ellensburg?
Kittitas (6.3 mi), Thorp (7.3 mi), Naches (20.1 mi), Nile (21.8 mi), Tieton (22.7 mi).
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