Kittitas County, Washington

Kittitas County
County
Kittitas County Courthouse in Ellensburg
Flag
Location within the U.S. state of Washington
Washington's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 47°07′28″N 120°40′36″W
Country	United States
State	Washington
Founded	November 24, 1883
Seat	Ellensburg
Largest city	Ellensburg
Area
• Total	2,333 sq mi (6,040 km2)
• Land	2,297 sq mi (5,950 km2)
• Water	36 sq mi (90 km2)  1.5%
Population  (2020)
• Total	44,337
• Estimate  (2023)	45,508
• Density	20/sq mi (8/km2)
Time zone	UTC−8 (Pacific)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district	8th
Website	co.kittitas.wa.us

Kittitas County (/ˈkɪtɪtæs/) is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. At the 2020 census, its population was 44,337. Its county seat and largest city is Ellensburg. The county was created in November 1883 when it was carved out of Yakima County. Kittitas County comprises the Ellensburg, Washington, Micropolitan Statistical Area.

There are numerous interpretations of the county's name, which is from the language of the Yakama Nation. According to one source, it "has been said to mean everything from 'white chalk' to 'shale rock' to 'shoal people' to 'land of plenty'". Most anthropologists and historians concede that each interpretation has some validity depending upon the particular dialect spoken.

An irrigated hillside near Ellensburg

History

The county was organized in November 1883 by the Washington Territorial Legislature, carved from the northern part of Yakima County.

Indigenous peoples known as Kittitas (or Upper Yakima) occupied the lands along the Yakima River for hundreds of years before the present era. The Kittitas Valley was a traditional gathering place for tribes east of the Cascades.

White settlers began pouring into the Kittitas Valley in the late 1850s. Their arrival forced dislocation and displacement of the native inhabitants, who were eventually forced into the Yakama Indian Reservation. White settlers introduced livestock raising, crop farming, dairying, logging, lumber processing, and mining. The abundant grassland and the generally-favorable terrain made beef and cattle production become the county's mainstay. That was assisted by the introduction of railways into the area and the large-scale irrigation systems introduced in the 1930s.

Wheat planting in Kittitas Valley began in 1868. The county's first flour mill was established near Ellensburg in 1873. Production of alfalfa was also seen from the county's early days.

Lumber extraction was an important county activity from its early days, mostly in the west end. Logging camps were established near the county's three largest lakes (Cle Elum, Kachess, Keechelus).

Mining for coal and minerals was established by the mid-1880s.

The southeastern corner of the county is part of the U.S. Army's Yakima Training Center.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,333 square miles (6,040 km²), of which 2,297 square miles (5,950 km²) is land and 36 square miles (93 km²) (1.5%) is water. The highest point in the county is Mount Daniel at 7,959 feet (2,426 m) above mean sea level.

Geographic features

• Cascade Mountains
• Yakima River
• Manastash Ridge
• Wenatchee Mountains

Major highways

• Interstate 90
• Interstate 82
• U.S. Route 97

Adjacent counties

• Chelan County - north
• Douglas County - northeast
• Grant County - east
• Yakima County - south
• Pierce County - west
• King County - northwest

National protected areas

• Snoqualmie National Forest (part)
• Wenatchee National Forest (part)

Flora and fauna

There are a variety of species represented within Kittitas County. These include a diversity of grasses, herbs, trees, birds, mammals and amphibians. The genus of ricegrass known as Oryzopsis was one of the earliest grasses classified within the county. Among the amphibian species found are the Cascades frog and the rough-skinned newt, the latter being a common far western USA taxon; in fact, examples of neoteny have been found in individual newts of this species within the county.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1890	8,777		—
1900	9,704		10.6%
1910	18,561		91.3%
1920	17,737		−4.4%
1930	18,154		2.4%
1940	20,230		11.4%
1950	22,235		9.9%
1960	20,467		−8.0%
1970	25,039		22.3%
1980	24,877		−0.6%
1990	26,725		7.4%
2000	33,362		24.8%
2010	40,915		22.6%
2020	44,337		8.4%
2023 (est.)	45,508		2.6%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 40,915 people, 16,595 households, and 9,225 families living in the county. The population density was 17.8 inhabitants per square mile (6.9/km²). There were 21,900 housing units at an average density of 9.5 units per square mile (3.7 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.3% white, 2.0% Asian, 1.0% American Indian, 0.9% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 3.7% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 7.6% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 26.2% were German, 15.4% were Irish, 12.7% were English, 8.2% were Norwegian, 5.1% were Italian, 5.0% were Swedish, and 3.4% were American.

Of the 16,595 households, 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 44.4% were non-families, and 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.87. The median age was 31.9 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,232 and the median income for a family was $61,276. Males had a median income of $45,916 versus $35,380 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,467. About 10.3% of families and 21.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.8% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 33,362 people, 13,382 households, and 7,788 families living in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile (5.4 people/km²). There were 16,475 housing units at an average density of 7 units per square mile (2.7 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.77% White, 0.71% Black or African American, 0.91% Native American, 2.19% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 2.30% from other races, and 1.97% from two or more races. 5.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 19.4% were of German, 11.7% English, 9.0% Irish, 7.8% United States or American, 6.6% Norwegian, 3.8% Italian, 3.2% Swedish, 3.1% French, 3.0% Dutch, 1.7% Polish, and 1.3% Danish ancestry. 93.2% spoke English and 4.5% Spanish as their first language.

There were 13,382 households, out of which 26.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.80% were married couples living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.80% were non-families. 28.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.60% under the age of 18, 21.60% from 18 to 24, 24.60% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 98.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,546, and the median income for a family was $46,057. Males had a median income of $36,257 versus $25,640 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,928. About 10.50% of families and 19.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.60% of those under age 18 and 8.20% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

United States presidential election results for Kittitas County, Washington

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	14,628	55.26%	10,802	40.81%	1,042	3.94%
2020	14,105	53.50%	11,421	43.32%	838	3.18%
2016	10,100	51.49%	7,489	38.18%	2,026	10.33%
2012	9,782	53.47%	7,949	43.45%	562	3.07%
2008	9,471	52.68%	8,030	44.67%	476	2.65%
2004	9,052	56.17%	6,731	41.77%	331	2.05%
2000	7,727	54.86%	5,516	39.16%	843	5.98%
1996	5,224	41.58%	5,707	45.42%	1,633	13.00%
1992	4,078	32.93%	5,432	43.86%	2,875	23.21%
1988	5,048	48.09%	5,318	50.67%	130	1.24%
1984	6,580	57.06%	4,830	41.89%	121	1.05%
1980	5,359	49.86%	4,075	37.91%	1,314	12.23%
1976	4,765	47.57%	4,858	48.50%	394	3.93%
1972	5,464	53.96%	4,299	42.46%	363	3.58%
1968	4,212	48.25%	3,921	44.92%	596	6.83%
1964	3,200	37.24%	5,383	62.65%	9	0.10%
1960	4,640	51.83%	4,303	48.06%	10	0.11%
1956	5,097	57.72%	3,726	42.20%	7	0.08%
1952	5,201	56.69%	3,937	42.91%	36	0.39%
1948	3,446	41.28%	4,588	54.96%	314	3.76%
1944	3,423	44.54%	4,227	55.00%	36	0.47%
1940	3,401	39.27%	5,203	60.08%	56	0.65%
1936	1,941	26.89%	5,044	69.88%	233	3.23%
1932	1,963	29.37%	4,266	63.82%	455	6.81%
1928	3,207	59.48%	2,136	39.61%	49	0.91%
1924	2,360	47.22%	455	9.10%	2,183	43.68%
1920	2,837	54.54%	1,119	21.51%	1,246	23.95%
1916	2,310	43.74%	2,609	49.40%	362	6.85%
1912	1,157	22.44%	1,407	27.29%	2,592	50.27%
1908	1,752	56.23%	985	31.61%	379	12.16%
1904	1,787	64.86%	523	18.98%	445	16.15%
1900	1,139	52.88%	934	43.36%	81	3.76%
1896	1,044	43.39%	1,336	55.53%	26	1.08%
1892	855	37.83%	800	35.40%	605	26.77%

Kittitas County is directed by a three-member Board of Commissioners.

The current County Commissioners are:

• District 1: Cory Wright (term: January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2024)
• District 2: Laura Osiadacz (term: January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2024)
• District 3: Brett Wachsmith (term: January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2026)

In presidential elections, it is a conservative county which has voted in the majority for the Republican candidate since the beginning of the 21st century.

Communities

Cities

• Cle Elum
• Ellensburg (county seat)
• Kittitas
• Roslyn

Town

• South Cle Elum

Ghost towns

• Liberty

Census-designated places

• Easton
• Ronald
• Snoqualmie Pass (including Hyak)
• Thorp
• Vantage

Unincorporated communities

• Suncadia
• Teanaway
• Thrall

Events

• The Kittitas County Fair and Ellensburg Rodeo occur every Labor Day Weekend. The Kittitas County Fair began in 1885, and moved to its current location (North Maple and East 8th Avenue in Ellensburg) in 1923.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Kittitas County, Washington

Further reading

• William Denison Lyman, History of the Yakima Valley, Washington: Comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties. In Two Volumes. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919. Volume 1 | Volume 2
• Andrew Caveness, "Images of America: Kittitas County." South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing Co., 2012.

External links

• Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce
• Kittitas County – official website
• Thorp Mill Town Historical Preservation Society
• The CWU Brooks Library Frederick Krueger Photograph Collection The Frederick Krueger Collection contains images of the Upper Kittitas Valley of Washington State from the 1880s to the 1960s. The images, scanned from photographic prints, glass negatives and rare publications, visually document the communities of Cle Elum, Roslyn and other towns and villages in western Kittitas County. The collection also focuses upon mining, logging and fur trapping in the region during the late 19th century and early 20th century.