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Ellensburg, WA

Frequently asked questions

Ellensburg, WA

Ellensburg is a city in and the county seat of Kittitas County, Washington, United States. It is located just east of the Cascade Range near the junction of Interstate 90 and Interstate 82. The population was 18,666 at the 2020 census. and was estimated to be 18,703 in 2022.

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 (CWU).

Ellensburg, originally named Ellensburg 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 its campaign was scuppered by a major fire in 1889.

John Alden Shoudy arrived in 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, aside from the early trading that occurred among Native Americans, cattle drivers, trappers, and miners. A small stone monument to Robber's Roost with a placard can be found at its original location, present-day 3rd Avenue, just west of Main Street near the alley.

Shoudy named the new town after his wife, Mary Ellen, thus officially starting the city of Ellensburg around 1872. Shoudy had not been the first settler nor the first business person in the Kittitas Valley, but he was responsible for platting the city of Ellensburg in the 1870s and also named the streets in the downtown district. Ellensburg was officially incorporated on November 26, 1883. In 1894, the final -h was dropped under standardization pressure from the United States Postal Service and Board of Geography Names.[7] Ellensburg was an early center of commerce in Washington and was among the first cities in the state to have electrical service.

The city launched a bid to become Washington state's capital in 1889, preparing a site in the Capital Hill neighborhood for government offices. On July 4 that year, however, a major fire destroyed much of the downtown area and stalled the 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 (now Central Washington University).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.43 square miles (21.83 km²), of which 8.32 square miles (21.55 km²) is land and 0.11 square miles (0.28 km²) is water.

Ellensburg places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Kittitas Valley Healthcare offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Anytime Fitness offers comprehensive fitness programs, including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. For yoga enthusiasts, The Yoga Hot Spot and Indigo Yoga provide classes to enhance flexibility and relaxation. Discover holistic health solutions at Blue Heron Chiropractic, offering chiropractic care and massage therapy. Pamper yourself at Utopia Salon & Day Spa, which offers a variety of spa treatments. If you prefer a traditional gym setting, Ellensburg CrossFit is the place to challenge your fitness levels.

Top sites in Ellensburg, WA are Kittitas County Historical Museum, Clymer Museum of Art, Wild Goose Casino, and Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park.

Population: 20,996 (2024). ZIP code: 98926. Area code: 509. Elevation: 1,542 ft (470 m). Area: 7.81 sq mi (20.23 km²).

FAQs

What is it like to live in Ellensburg, Washington?

Ellensburg offers the best of two worlds - small-town charm and big-city amenities. From outdoor activities like rafting the Yakima River, exploring the growing art scene, checking out the weekly community Farmer's Market, and even diving into the local diverse culinary offerings. Ellensburg also has all four distinct seasons with over 300 sunny days. The affordability and convenience Ellensburg has to offer have earned the town the title of one of the "Top 10 Best Small Towns in the U.S." according to Livability.

What is Ellensburg, WA famous for?

The men and women who founded the Ellensburg Rodeo in 1923 were ranchers, farmers, Indians, and community-minded citizens working to preserve and celebrate a vanishing frontier way of life. From their efforts, Washington State’s world-famous Ellensburg Rodeo was born, and we celebrate our Western roots more than ever. The rodeo is now the pride of Ellensburg, bringing together the best riders, ropers, and wrestlers to compete in what many consider to be the best rodeo arena in the nation.

How much does it cost to live in Ellensburg, WA?

The total cost of housing, food, child care, transportation, health care, taxes, and other necessities for a single adult in Ellensburg is $34,436 a year — less than the annual cost of living for Washington of $38,410 and less than the national figure of $38,433. In Ellensburg, the median home value is $224,700, greater than the national median home value of $204,900. The median price of a home built in 1939 or earlier is $222,400, while the median value of a home built in 2014 or later is $256,000. The typical renter in Ellensburg spends $933 a month on housing, greater than the $1,023 national median monthly rent.

Sources

City of Ellensburg

Wikipedia

CWU

My Ellensburg

24/7 Wall St.

Kittitas County Historical Museum

Clymer Museum of Art

Wild Goose Casino

Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park

Kittitas Valley Healthcare

Anytime Fitness

The Yoga Hot Spot

Indigo Yoga

Blue Heron Chiropractic

Utopia Salon & Day Spa

Ellensburg CrossFit

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