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| Ellensburg, Washington | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Kittitas |
| Area | |
| - Total | 6.6 sq mi (17.2 km²) |
| - Land | 6.6 sq mi (17.1 km²) |
| - Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.1 km²) |
| Elevation | 1,542 ft (470 m) |
| Population (2006) | |
| - Total | 16,831 |
| - Density | 2,338.9/sq mi (903.1/km²) |
| Time zone | Pacific (PST) (UTC-8) |
| - Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) |
| ZIP codes | 98926, 98950 |
| Area code(s) | 509 |
| FIPS code | 53-21240[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1519305[2] |
Ellensburg is a city in and the county seat of Kittitas County, Washington, United States.[3] The population was 15,414 at the 2000 census. Ellensburg is located just east of the Cascade Range on I-90. Ellensburg is the home of Central Washington University (CWU).
The surrounding Kittitas Valley is internationally known for the timothy-hay that it produces. There are several local hay brokering and processing operations that ship to Pacific Rim countries. The old part of the town is fairly historic, with old brick buildings from the late 19th century. Eastern Washington has a much drier climate than Western Washington, and some Seattle-area residents visit the area to spend a weekend without rain; many former Puget Sounds residents have moved to the city and commute over Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 to jobs located in the Puget Sound region.
Ellensburg is a stop on the PRCA professional rodeo circuit, occurring each year on Labor Day weekend. This rodeo has been a town tradition since 1923, and is the largest rodeo in Washington state.[4] The town is also noted for being the birthplace of rock singer Mark Lanegan.
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History
Ellensburg was officially incorporated on November 26, 1883. It was named in 1885 by the first postmaster, John A. Shoudy, after his wife Mary Ellen. [1] 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.[5] Ellensburg is one of the cities featured in the Hank Snow song, "I've Been Everywhere." Also recorded by Johnny Cash.
The Ellensburg newspaper, The Daily Record, started reporting on Kittitas County in 1909. [6]
Ellensburg hosts the annual Jazz in the Valley music festival on the last weekend in July. [7]
Geography
Ellensburg is located at 46°59'49" North, 120°32'42" West (46.997064, -120.545119)[8].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.6 square miles (17.2 km²), of which, 6.6 square miles (17.1 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.75%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 15,414 people, 6,249 households, and 2,649 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,338.9 people per square mile (903.1/km²). There were 6,732 housing units at an average density of 1,021.5/sq mi (394.4/km²). 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 out 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.
Ellensburg City Council
The City of Ellensburg utilizes 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, 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 501 North Anderson Street.
- Position 1: Nancy Lillquist, Mayor
- Position 2: Jani Niner, Mayor Pro Tem
- Position 3: Obie O'Brien
- Position 4: Bruce Tabb
- Position 5: Stan Bassett
- Position 6: Fennelle Miller
- Position 7: George Bottcher
See also
Further reading
- Kirk, Ruth, and Carmela Alexander, (1990, revised edition 1995), Exploring Washington's Past, University of Washington Press, Seattle. ISBN 0-295-97443-5
References
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ www.visitellensburg.com/history.html
- ^ Kirk (1995:123)
- ^ www.visitellensburg.com/history.html
- ^ www.jazzinthevalley.com
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
External links
- Ellensburg official website
- Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce
- Ellensburg Rodeo
- Central Washington University
- Daily Record, Ellensburg's daily newspaper
- KXLE Radio, Ellensburg's local radio station
- NCWJobs.com, Ellensburg jobs, Ellensburg employers and relocation information
- CWU and Ellensburg Public Library's historic local photographs collection A collection of 294 historic photographs dating from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. The collection consists of photographic images of buildings, street scenes and town views of Ellensburg and the other communities in Kittitas County
- City Council, City Manager & Departments
- Kittitas County, WA Elected Officials
- Lillquist selected as mayor
Coordinates: - Ellensburg, Washington
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