South Cle Elum, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South Cle Elum, Washington had a total population of 579, the 456th largest town in Washington, with a median household income of $66,750, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
South Cle Elum Quick Facts
How South 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 | 707 | 579 | -18.1% |
| Median household income | $60,268 | $66,750 | +10.8% |
| Median home value | $375,000 | $374,300 | -0.2% |
How South 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+)
South 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 |
| Cle Elum | 1,905 | $63,973 | 9.8% | $451,000 |
| 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 |
| 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 South Cle Elum
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bow | 585 | $67,103 | $381,000 | 27.8% | 0.0% |
| Sprague | 583 | $67,857 | $164,000 | 9.0% | 10.0% |
| Lake McMurray | 569 | N/A | $419,000 | 26.2% | 5.1% |
| Deming | 568 | N/A | $459,600 | 36.7% | 17.8% |
| Pateros | 583 | $69,091 | $278,800 | 16.4% | 19.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 579, South Cle Elum's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
South Cle Elum is a small community located in Washington, within Kittitas County. The total population is 579. It ranks as the 456th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Cle Elum is 47.1 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 38.3 years. Only 11.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South Cle Elum is $66,750. This is 32% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.8%. This is 40% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The survey records no unemployed residents in South Cle Elum, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $374,300. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x. 71.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in South Cle Elum is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.3%.
Education
24.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 95.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of South Cle Elum, Washington?
South Cle Elum, Washington has a population of 579 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Cle Elum, WA?
The median household income in South Cle Elum is $66,750, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South Cle Elum, WA?
The poverty rate in South Cle Elum is 13.8%. This means approximately 80 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Cle Elum, Washington?
South Cle Elum's population is 78.2% White, 0.0% Black, 12.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Cle Elum, WA?
The median home value in South Cle Elum is $374,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x.
How educated is South Cle Elum, Washington?
24.1% of adults (25+) in South Cle Elum hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.