All Countries
Ellensburg, WA
Full City Profile · Washington · Kittitas County County
2.8
/5.0
C+
Fair
18,913
Population
2,179/sq mi density
$49,888
Median Income
$31,725 per capita
$357,800
Home Value
$445,761 Zillow
$1,258
Median Rent
34.9% income on rent
50°F
Avg Temperature
279 sunny days/yr
211
Violent Crime/100K
3,058 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$49,888 median income, 5.0% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.6 / 5.0
$357,800 home value, $1,258/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
211 violent crimes/100K
A
Education
4.3 / 5.0
41.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Ellensburg experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 279 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 9.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 50.1°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 279 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,558 ft (475 m) |
| Area | 3.0 sq mi (7.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,179/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.0012°N, 120.5496°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Kittitas County County |
| Nearest Airport | Grant County International (MWH) 60 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 28.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 6.5 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 89.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 40.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 64.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.0 m (10 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1894 | PUYALLUP RIVER DELTA, TACOMA, WA | Meteorological | 3.0 m | 2 | 147 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.
Nearby Volcanoes
6 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Rainier (93 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Rainier | Stratovolcano | 4,392 m (14,409 ft) | 1450 | 93 km |
| Adams | Stratovolcano | 3,742 m (12,277 ft) | 950 | 114 km |
| Glacier Peak | Stratovolcano | 3,213 m (10,541 ft) | 1700 | 131 km |
| St. Helens | Stratovolcano | 2,549 m (8,363 ft) | 2008 | 153 km |
| Indian Heaven | Shield(s) | 1,806 m (5,925 ft) | -6250 | 154 km |
| West Crater | Volcanic field | 1,329 m (4,360 ft) | -5750 | 171 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.4 in | |
| February | 32°F (0°C) | 1.5 in | |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 0.8 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 0.7 in | |
| June | 61°F (16°C) | 0.7 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 0.4 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 0.5 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 0.6 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 2.1 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 2.6 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Ellensburg has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 27°F in December to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.2 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.6") and July the driest (0.4").