Ellensburg, WA Demographics

A map of Ellensburg's Population by Race

Ellensburg, Washington has an estimated population of 20,874, a large increase from the 18,666 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 75.8% White, 12.8% Hispanic, 6.5% Multiracial, 2.6% Asian, 2.1% Black, and 0.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Ellensburg, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Ellensburg has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Washington overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Ellensburg, that probability was 43.8% in 2020 and 40.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Ellensburg is ranked the 73rd most populous place in Washington, out of 639 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Ellensburg was ranked the 78th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Ellensburg's White Population

15,813 residents of Ellensburg, or 75.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Ellensburg is considerably higher than in Washington overall, where 63.1% of the population is White. Ellensburg ranks 398th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ellensburg's White population has grown by an estimated 15.5%. White residents' share of Ellensburg's population has increased from 73.4% to 75.8%.

Ellensburg is more White than neighboring Kittitas (67.3% White), Thorp (54.8% White), and Naches (66% White). Ellensburg is less White than neighboring Eschbach (94.5% White), and Gleed (80.5% White).

Ellensburg's Black Population

431 residents of Ellensburg, or 2.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Ellensburg is comparable to the share in Washington overall, where 3.8% of the population is Black. Ellensburg ranks 146th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ellensburg's Black population has grown by an estimated 46.6%. Black residents' share of Ellensburg's population has increased from 1.6% to 2.1%.

Ellensburg is more Black than neighboring Kittitas (1.4% Black), Eschbach (0% Black), and Gleed (0.2% Black). Ellensburg is less Black than neighboring Thorp (2.6% Black), and Naches (2.2% Black).

Ellensburg's Asian Population

550 residents of Ellensburg, or 2.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Ellensburg is lower than in Washington overall, where 9.7% of the population is Asian. Ellensburg ranks 149th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ellensburg's Asian population has declined by an estimated 16.7%. Asian residents' share of Ellensburg's population has decreased from 3.5% to 2.6%.

Ellensburg is more Asian than neighboring Kittitas (0.7% Asian), Thorp (0% Asian), Naches (0.8% Asian), Eschbach (0% Asian), and Gleed (0.8% Asian).

Ellensburg's Hispanic Population

2,674 residents of Ellensburg, or 12.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Ellensburg is comparable to the share in Washington overall, where 14.4% of the population is Hispanic. Ellensburg ranks 163rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ellensburg's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 7.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Ellensburg's population has decreased from 13.4% to 12.8%.

Ellensburg is more Hispanic than neighboring Eschbach (0% Hispanic), and Gleed (12.4% Hispanic). Ellensburg is less Hispanic than neighboring Kittitas (27.8% Hispanic), Thorp (30.4% Hispanic), and Naches (27% Hispanic).

Ellensburg's Native American/Other Population

50 residents of Ellensburg, or 0.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Ellensburg is comparable to the share in Washington overall, where 2.1% of the population is Native American/Other. Ellensburg ranks 261st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ellensburg's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 87.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Ellensburg's population has decreased from 2.2% to 0.2%.

Ellensburg is more Native American/Other than neighboring Kittitas (0% Native American/Other), and Eschbach (0% Native American/Other). Ellensburg is less Native American/Other than neighboring Thorp (6.5% Native American/Other), Naches (3.4% Native American/Other), and Gleed (0.6% Native American/Other).

Ellensburg's Multiracial Population

1,356 residents of Ellensburg, or 6.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Ellensburg is comparable to the share in Washington overall, where 6.8% of the population is Multiracial. Ellensburg ranks 362nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ellensburg's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 21.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Ellensburg's population has increased from 6.0% to 6.5%.

Ellensburg is more Multiracial than neighboring Kittitas (2.9% Multiracial), Thorp (5.7% Multiracial), Naches (0.7% Multiracial), Eschbach (5.5% Multiracial), and Gleed (5.5% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.