Ellensburg city, Washington Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Ellensburg city is a small city located in Washington. The total population is 18,913. It ranks as the 77th most populous out of 631 cities and towns in Washington.

Age Demographics

The median age in Ellensburg city is 26.7 years. This is 30% lower than the state median of 38.2 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Ellensburg city is $49,888. This is 47% lower than the state median of $94,952. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 36% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.0%. This is 112% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.6%. This is 52% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $357,800. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $519,800. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 37.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 41% lower than the state average of 63.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Ellensburg city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.1%. The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Asian population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 9.3%.

Education

41.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 38.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.0%. Notably, 18.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Ellensburg city, Washington is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Washington state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 631 Census-designated places in Washington. For official data, visit data.census.gov.