Cle Elum, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cle Elum, Washington had a total population of 1,905, the 317th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $63,973, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.0x the median household income.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Cle Elum Quick Facts
How Cle Elum Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,078 | 1,905 | -8.3% |
| Median household income | $56,912 | $63,973 | +12.4% |
| Median home value | $379,300 | $451,000 | +18.9% |
How Cle Elum Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cle Elum Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Kittitas County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellensburg | 20,874 | $55,438 | 22.4% | $404,100 |
| Kittitas | 1,221 | $80,278 | 11.6% | $316,700 |
| Roslyn | 1,076 | $104,800 | 5.0% | $565,200 |
| Easton | 647 | $112,500 | 5.6% | $769,300 |
| South Cle Elum | 579 | $66,750 | 13.8% | $374,300 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 428 | $140,054 | 5.6% | $962,100 |
| Thorp | 230 | $120,739 | 8.7% | $372,700 |
| Ronald | 119 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Cle Elum
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ritzville | 1,855 | $56,442 | $227,000 | 26.8% | 14.0% |
| Fords Prairie | 1,823 | $55,608 | $368,000 | 19.2% | 15.7% |
| Ocean Park | 2,122 | $65,676 | $350,500 | 24.8% | 10.2% |
| Millwood | 1,890 | $83,068 | $358,900 | 25.7% | 9.5% |
| Home | 1,665 | $64,884 | $403,500 | 32.0% | 5.5% |
Population Overview
Cle Elum is a small community located in Washington, within Kittitas County. The total population is 1,905. It ranks as the 317th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cle Elum is 48.0 years. This is 25% higher than the state median of 38.3 years. Only 9.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 13.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cle Elum is $63,973. This is 35% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.8%. This is 1% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 60% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $451,000. Housing costs are 20% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.0x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 62.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cle Elum is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.6%) is well below the state average of 14.4%.
Education
18.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% lower than the state rate of 39.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cle Elum, Washington is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Washington state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 628 Census-designated places in Washington. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Washington city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cle Elum, Washington?
Cle Elum, Washington has a population of 1,905 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cle Elum, WA?
The median household income in Cle Elum is $63,973, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cle Elum, WA?
The poverty rate in Cle Elum is 9.8%. This means approximately 186 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cle Elum, Washington?
Cle Elum's population is 80.3% White, 0.0% Black, 5.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cle Elum, WA?
The median home value in Cle Elum is $451,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.0x.
How educated is Cle Elum, Washington?
18.9% of adults (25+) in Cle Elum hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.