Ellensburg, Washington


Ellensburg is a city in and county seat of Kittitas County, Washington, United States. The population was 21,111 in a July 2019 census estimate. It is located just east of the Cascade Range at the junction of Interstate 90 and Interstate 82.
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.
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 fell out of favor after a major fire in 1889.

History

Ellensburg was officially incorporated on November 26, 1883. John Alden Shoudy came to the Kittitas Valley in 1871, and purchased a small trading post from Andrew Jackson "A.J." Splawn, called "Robber's Roost." Robber's Roost was the first business in the valley, other than the early trading that occurred among Native Americans, cattle drivers, trappers, and miners. Robber's Roost was located on the present-day 3rd Avenue, just west of Main Street near the alley. There is a placard on the wall commemorating the location, as well as a small stone monument against the wall on the sidewalk. Shoudy named the town after his wife, Mary Ellen Shoudy; thus officially began the city of Ellensburgh around 1872. Shoudy was not the first settler in the Kittitas Valley, nor was he the first businessperson, but he was responsible for platting the city of Ellensburgh in the 1870s, and he was the person who named the streets in the downtown district.
The city was originally named Ellensburgh, until the final -h was dropped under standardization pressure from the United States Postal Service and Board of Geography Names in 1894. Ellensburg was among the first cities in Washington to have electrical service and was an early center of commerce. The city launched a bid to become the state capital in 1889, preparing a site in the Capital Hill neighborhood for government offices. On July 4, 1889, a major fire destroyed much of downtown Ellensburg and stalled the capital campaign, which resumed with a series of referendums, in which Washington voters chose Olympia. The state legislature selected Ellensburg as the location for the State Normal School as a consolation prize for losing the capital bid.
There were several early newspapers in Ellensburg. The Daily Record, however, began in 1909 and is the name of the local newspaper today.
Concerns over the state of Ellensburg's historic downtown led to the formation of the Ellensburg Downtown Association to work on revitalizing the area.

Arts and culture

The City of Ellensburg is home to a number of local art museums and galleries:
Every first Friday of each month, Ellensburg hosts First Friday Art Walk from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. This downtown event showcases art of all forms. The local businesses, galleries and museums come alive with art, music, wine and people as they celebrate art in the community.

Events

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which is land and is water.

Climate

Owing to the strong Cascade rain shadow, Ellensburg experiences a typical Intermountain cool semi-arid climate.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 18,174 people, 7,301 households, and 2,889 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 7,867 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 85.7% White, 1.5% African American, 1.0% Native American, 3.2% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 4.6% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.7% of the population.
There were 7,301 households, of which 19.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 28.2% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 60.4% were non-families. 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.86.
The median age in the city was 23.5 years. 14.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 41.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.8% were from 25 to 44; 13.9% were from 45 to 64; and 8.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.1% male and 49.9% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 15,414 people, 6,249 households, and 2,649 families living in the city. The population density was 2,338.9 people per square mile. There were 6,732 housing units at an average density of 1,021.5 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 88.07% White, 1.17% Black or African American, 0.95% Native American, 4.09% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 2.86% from other races, and 2.69% from two or more races. 6.33% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 6,249 households, of which 20.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.4% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 57.6% were non-families. 35.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the city, the population was spread out with 15.8% under the age of 18, 39.3% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 12.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $20,034, and the median income for a family was $37,625. Males had a median income of $31,022 versus $22,829 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,662. About 18.8% of families and 34.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.0% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.

Politics and government

The City of Ellensburg uses the Manager/Council form of government with a City Manager hired by the City Council. The seven-member City Council is elected at large and serve 4-year terms. The City Council elects a Mayor and Deputy Mayor from the Council to serve 2-year terms. The Council meets the first and third Monday of each month, at 7:00 pm, in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.
On the state legislative level, Ellensburg is in the 13th district. As of May, 2018, its state senator is Republican Judy Warnick, and its two state representatives are Republicans Matt Manweller and Tom Dent. On the congressional level, Ellensburg is located in Washington's 8th congressional district and is represented by Democrat Kim Schrier.

Media

Kittitas County is served by the Daily Record, a newspaper published in Ellensburg five days a week.
The city maintains its own public library, which opened on January 20, 1910, using funds donated by Andrew Carnegie.

Education

Higher education

Public schools are operated by Ellensburg School District 401. The district includes one high school, one middle school, and three elementary schools.

Notable people