Cle Elum, WA

Washington

Cle Elum is a small town in Washington with a population of 2,078. Residents earn $56,912 per year, which is 24% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,078 Population 463/sq mi density
$56,912 Median Income $39,050 per capita
$379,300 Home Value $577,391 Zillow
$1,075 Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
182 Violent Crime/100K 4,622 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$56,912 median income, 0.3% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.9 / 5.0
$379,300 home value, $1,075/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
182 violent crimes/100K (52% below avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $56,912
24% lower than US avg
Home Value $379,300
35% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 182/100K
52% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.7%
50% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,075
8% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.1%
12% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.3%
92% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.4%
16% lower than US avg

How Cle Elum Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population2,078
Median Age44.5 yrs
Density463/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 77%

Economy

B+
Median Income$56,912
Per Capita$39,050
Unemployment0.3%
Poverty10.4%
County GDP$2,641M
Commute23 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$379,300
Rent$1,075
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$577,391

Crime

F
Violent182/100K
Property4,622/100K
Murder36.4/100K
Assault73/100K
Burglary691/100K

Health

Obesity36.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.9%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI28 (Good)
Rain24.7 in/yr
Elevation2,015 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.7%
High School+82.5%
School Score5.36

Community

2024 VoteR 56% / D 41%
Commute23 min
EV Stations5
Libraries4

Is Cle Elum a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Cle Elum receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Cle Elum has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Cle Elum is $56,912, 24% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.3%. 10.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Cle Elum is $379,300, 35% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,075 per month. The price-to-income ratio of 6.7x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Cle Elum is below the national average at 182 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,622 per 100,000, 136% above the national average.

Education

16.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 82.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Cle Elum experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 24.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Cle Elum has a population of 2,078 with a density of 463 people per square mile. The median age is 44.5 years, 14% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (76.7%), with 1.3% Hispanic.

Population

2,078
Total Population
463
People / sq mi
44.5yrs
Median Age
14% above US avg
4.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.8%
Female 52.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Cle Elum vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.6%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.4%
52% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Cle Elum vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Cle Elum is $56,912, which is 24% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Cle Elum vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$56,912
24% below US avg
Per Capita Income$39,050
Avg Weekly Wage$1,042
IRS Avg AGI$92,288

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.3%
92% below US avg
Poverty Rate10.4%
16% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,424
County GDP$2,641M

Business (County)

Restaurants178
Healthcare105
Retail184
Manufacturing43

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,188
77% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.63%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.0 min
Work from Home13.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Cle Elum is $379,300, 35% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,075 (8% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $577,391.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$379,300
35% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$577,391
Median List Price$549,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$549,000
$/Sq Ft$366
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops28.6%
Inventory14

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,075
8% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,082
1 Bedroom$1,180
2 Bedrooms$1,472
3 Bedrooms$2,003
4 Bedrooms$2,351

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied58.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,188
77% above US avg
Effective Rate1.63%
In Cle Elum, 36.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.9% report depression. 21.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Cle Elum vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.1%
12% above US avg
Diabetes8.9%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure28.5%
Asthma11.8%
COPD6.3%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.3%
Physical Inactivity21.0%
Depression27.9%
Mental Distress19.9%
Physical Distress14.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.1%
Checkup Rate66.5%
Premature Death5,849/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access74.6%
Healthcare Facilities105
Cle Elum has a violent crime rate of 182 per 100,000 residents, 52% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,622 per 100,000 (136% above US avg). The murder rate is 36.4 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Cle Elum vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent182.0/100K
52% below US avg
Murder36.4/100K
478% above US avg
Rape72.8/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault72.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,621.5/100K
136% above US avg
Burglary691.4/100K
Theft3,748.2/100K
Vehicle Theft182.0/100K
Arson36.4/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13
FEMA Disasters637

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Cle Elum has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation is 24.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average46.5°F
14% below US avg
January Average29°F (-2°C)
July Average67°F (19°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall24.7 inches
35% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,015 ft (614 m)
Area4.5 sq mi (11.6 km²)
Population Density463/sq mi
Coordinates47.1946°N, 120.9528°W
County FIPS53037
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 16.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (50% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 14.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 55.7%
D 41.1%

Winner: Republican by 14.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.7%
50% below US avg
High School+82.5%
School Test Score5.36
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density463/sq mi
Total Area4.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations5
Alt Fuel Stations5
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities105
Restaurants178
Retail Stores184

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13
FEMA Disaster Declarations637
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.0 min
Work from Home13.0%

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