Kittitas County, WA

County

Add Comparison

2024 Population

47,172

US Senator

Patty Murray

Democratic Party

US Senator

Maria Cantwell

Democratic Party

2024 Median Age

35.8

5.54% 1-year decrease

2024 Poverty Rate

14.4%

0.45% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$73,804

5.54% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$497,400

8.15% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

23,022

5.09% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Kittitas County, WA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

97.4% of the residents in Kittitas County, WA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Kittitas County, WA are Central Washington University (2,538 degrees awarded in 2023).

In 2024, the median property value in Kittitas County, WA was $497,400, and the homeownership rate was 61.5%.

Most people in Kittitas County, WA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 23.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Kittitas County, WA was 2 cars per household.

Kittitas County, WA borders Chelan County, WA, Douglas County, WA, Grant County, WA, King County, WA, and Yakima County, WA.

About the photo: Lake Easton

Photo by Scott Smithson

United States Washington Ellensburg, WA

Population & Diversity

Kittitas County, WA is home to a population of 47.2k people, from which 97.4% are citizens. As of 2024, 4.76% of Kittitas County, WA residents were born outside of the country (2.25k people).

In 2024, there were 19 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (37.4k people) in Kittitas County, WA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.96k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) and 1.87k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.4%

2024 Citizenship

98%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 97.4% of Kittitas County, WA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Kittitas County, WA was 98%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Kittitas County, WA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Kittitas County, WA

White (Non-Hispanic)
37.4k ± 511
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
1.96k ± 246
Other (Hispanic)
1.87k ± 386

10.5%

Hispanic Population

4.97k people

10.5% of the people in Kittitas County, WA are hispanic (4.97k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Kittitas County, WA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Washington.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
248,556 ± 12,042 people
India
107,324 ± 7,987 people
China
89,838 ± 7,316 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Washington was Mexico, the natal country of 248,556 Washington residents, followed by India with 107,324 and China with 89,838.

Foreign-Born Population

4.76%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

2.25k people

3.88%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

1.74k people

As of 2024, 4.76% of Kittitas County, WA residents (2.25k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Kittitas County, WA was 3.88%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Kittitas County, WA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
937 ± 180
Gulf War (2001-)
742 ± 233
Gulf War (1990s)
381 ± 151

Kittitas County, WA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.26 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Kittitas County, WA.

Economy

The economy of Kittitas County, WA employs 23k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Kittitas County, WA were Accommodation & Food Services (3,312 people), Educational Services (3,041 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (2,743 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($102,266), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($85,815), and Information ($73,438).

Employment

Occupations

23k

2024 Value

± 1,206

5.09%

1 Year growth

± 6.89%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Kittitas County, WA grew at a rate of 5.09%, from 21.9k employees to 23k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Kittitas County, WA, are Management Occupations (2,857 people), Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (2,605 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,292 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Kittitas County, WA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Washington (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

23k

2024 Value

± 1,206

5.09%

1 Year growth

± 6.89%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Kittitas County, WA grew at a rate of 5.09%, from 21.9k employees to 23k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Kittitas County, WA, are Accommodation & Food Services (3,312 people), Educational Services (3,041 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (2,743 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Kittitas County, WA, though some of these residents may live in Kittitas County, WA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$52,507

Median earning men ± $4,913

$40,063

Median earning women ± $3,211

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($81,583), Information ($81,250), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($79,741).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($62,759), Construction ($54,427), and Public Administration ($53,913).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.

Y-Axis

3.62%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 3.58M people employed in Washington. This represents a 3.62% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.3%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Washington.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

205
Construction
88
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
81
Other Services (except Public Administration)

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$97.2k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$92.8k
Construction
$73.1k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Washington went to Kamala Harris with 57.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (39%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.4%).

Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell are the senators currently representing the state of Washington. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Washington is currently represented by 10 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Kittitas County, WA. Showing the available data for Washington.

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (57.2%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (39%)
Republican Party
Robert Kennedy (1.4%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Washington went to Kamala Harris with 57.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (39%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.4%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Washington for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Washington

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.

Patty Murray

Senator from Washington

Assumed office on January 3, 1993

Maria Cantwell

Senator from Washington

Assumed office on January 3, 2001

Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell are the senators currently representing Washington.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Washington over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2023, universities in Kittitas County, WA awarded 2,538 degrees. The student population of Kittitas County, WA in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 4,056 male students and 4,740 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Kittitas County, WA are White (1,274 and 51.3%), Hispanic or Latino (382 and 15.4%), Unknown (285 and 11.5%), and Two or More Races (231 and 9.3%).

The largest universities in Kittitas County, WA by number of degrees awarded are Central Washington University (2,538 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Kittitas County, WA are General Psychology (274 and 10.8%), Elementary Education & Teaching (183 and 7.21%), and General Business Administration & Management (162 and 6.38%).

The median tuition cost in Kittitas County, WA for a public four year colleges is $7,021 for in-state students and $24,600 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in Kittitas County, WA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 90.2%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 25.5%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 8,796 (46.1% men and 53.9% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 8,796 students enrolled in Kittitas County, WA, 46.1% men and 53.9% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 4,742 records, of which 53.7% were women and 46.3% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
274 degrees awarded
Elementary Education & Teaching
183 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
162 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Kittitas County, WA was General Psychology with 274 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Kittitas County, WA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Central Washington University

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

2,538 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Central Washington University with 2,538 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 1,083 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Kittitas County, WA, which is 0.744 times less than the 1,455 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,274 degrees mean that there were 3.34 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 382 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($7,021) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($2,171) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($900) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Kittitas County, WA was $497,400 in 2024, which is 1.5 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $459,900 to $497,400, a 8.15% increase. The homeownership rate in Kittitas County, WA is 61.5%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Kittitas County, WA have an average commute time of 23.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Kittitas County, WA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 21.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Kittitas County, WA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 4.02%.

Housing

Property

$497,400

Median Property Value 2024

±$18,977

$12,294

Median Property Taxes

±$763

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Kittitas County, WA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Kittitas County, WA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

61.5%

Homeownership

2024

65.4%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 61.5% of the housing units in Kittitas County, WA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 62.3%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Kittitas County, WA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$73,804

Median Household Income

± $4,984

20k

Number of Households

± 1,107

In 2024, the median household income of the 20k households in Kittitas County, WA grew to $73,804 from the previous year's value of $69,928.

The following chart displays the households in Kittitas County, WA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Kittitas County, WA is from Washington.

0.468

2023 Wage GINI in Washington

0.47

2022 Wage GINI in Washington

In 2023, the income inequality in Washington was 0.468 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.276% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Washington was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Washington in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Washington across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (70.5%)
Worked At Home (13.8%)
Carpooled (7.43%)

In 2024, 70.5% of workers in Kittitas County, WA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (13.8%) and those who carpooled to work (7.43%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

23.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Kittitas County, WA have a shorter commute time (23.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 6.54% of the workforce in Kittitas County, WA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Kittitas County, WA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Kittitas County, WA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Kittitas County, WA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 21.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Kittitas County, WA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 4.02%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

14.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Kittitas County, WA (6.53k out of 45.4k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Kittitas County, WA is White, followed by Two Or More and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 12.6% of the children was living in poverty in Kittitas County, WA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 7.7%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 110 in Kittitas County, WA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 45.8 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Health

94.2% of the population of Kittitas County, WA has health coverage, with 47.7% on employee plans, 14.7% on Medicaid, 13.5% on Medicare, 16.3% on non-group plans, and 1.95% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Kittitas County, WA see 1,978 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,978 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1808 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 446 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.2% were men and 49.8% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,978 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Kittitas County, WA

Primary care physicians in Kittitas County, WA see an average of 1,978 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,978 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Kittitas County, WA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 19% under 18 years, 30% between 18 and 34 years, 34.1% between 35 and 64 years, and 17% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.2% were men and 49.8% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

5.82%

Uninsured

47.7%

Employer Coverage

14.7%

Medicaid

13.5%

Medicare

16.3%

Non-Group

1.95%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Kittitas County, WA grew by 8.22% from 5.38% to 5.82%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Kittitas County, WA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 44.7 in Kittitas County, WA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Kittitas County, WA.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 31% in Kittitas County, WA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Kittitas County, WA.