Population48,803 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
Your Local Guide Starts Here
Kittitas County, WashingtonExplore local resources and participating businesses in Kittitas County, Washington.
Kittitas County at a Glance
Population48,803 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatEllensburg
Largest City (2026)Ellensburg (2026 OFM)
Year Organized1883 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP Code Examples98922, 98925, 98926, 98946
Total Area, Including Water2,332.989 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-90, I-82, US 97
Local Area Codes509
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Discover Kittitas County
Kittitas County
Kittitas County was organized in 1883 from northern Yakima County. The valley was an Indigenous gathering place before later settlers developed livestock, farming, logging and mining activities. The county's own history describes how grasses and water supported animal husbandry, while changing markets influenced local work. Its name has several reported interpretations, so no single translation is necessary to understand the place. The important thread is the relationship between people, valley resources and the communities that developed within this shared geographic setting.
Begin with Ellensburg's local interpretation and choose one working-history theme for further exploration. A valley route can connect town and agricultural landscape, but private fields and industrial sites are not assumed visitor destinations. Seek Tribal sources for Indigenous history and continuing community perspectives. Current maps and managed public access points should guide any river or outdoor stop, leaving historical accounts to explain the changes in land use.
What Shapes Us
Place And Character
Ellensburg provides a civic reference for Kittitas County in central Washington, where the Yakima River and surrounding valley connect communities with agricultural history.
The Local Story
Kittitas County was organized in 1883 from northern Yakima County. The valley was an Indigenous gathering place before later settlers developed livestock, farming, logging and mining activities.
Explore The County
Begin with Ellensburg's local interpretation and choose one working-history theme for further exploration. A valley route can connect town and agricultural landscape, but private fields and industrial sites are not assumed visitor destinations.
Discover the valley through its communities and working traditions.
A Closer Look
Kittitas County
Places and perspectives from Kittitas County
Washington State Standard · Washington
Washington 9th graders perform better with new program, but funding isn’t guaranteed
Across Washington state, schools rolled out a support system designed to help high school freshmen over the last…
Read the Story Oct 27, 2026 • Read at sourceAround Kittitas County
Local coverage first, followed by Washington and national updates when needed.
Washington State Standard · Washington
Washington 9th graders perform better with new program, but funding isn’t guaranteed
Across Washington state, schools rolled out a support system designed to help high school freshmen over the last…
Oct 27, 2026 • Read at source
Washington State Standard · Washington
Feds allege over 400 noncitizens vote in WA; Hobbs disputes data
The top federal prosecutor in Seattle claimed on Monday that more than 400 noncitizens have been voting in…
Oct 26, 2026 • Read at source
Washington State Standard · Washington
Rising prices squeeze more Americans ahead of pivotal midterm elections
Americans’ growing frustration over high prices has defined many political campaigns ahead of November’s midterm elections. Rising costs…
Oct 26, 2026 • Read at source
Washington State Standard · Washington
The percentage of people without health insurance is growing
The percentage of working-age adults without health insurance has increased in the past two years, largely because many…
Oct 26, 2026 • Read at source
Washington State Standard · Washington
These measures on WA ballots could shake up local government
Voters may evict the sheriff from office in Pierce County, make Snohomish County Council seats nonpartisan and bar…
Oct 26, 2026 • Read at source
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Kittitas County government — County offices and public services.
Departments and services — Find the office responsible for your request.
Washington state services — State agencies and programs.
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Cle Elum Roslyn Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 2696 SR 903, Cle Elum, WA 98922. 509-852-4935.
Damman Elementary – Elementary; grades KG-05. 41 MANASTASH RD, ELLENSBURG, WA 98926. 509-962-9079.
Easton School – Other; grades KG-12. 1893 RAILROAD STREET, EASTON, WA 98925. 509-656-2317.
Ida Nason Aronica Elementary – Elementary; grades KG-05. 2100 N Cora St, Ellensburg, WA 98926. 509-925-8070.
Parke Creek Treatment Ctr – High; grades 08-12. 11042 Parke Creek Road, Ellensburg, WA 98926. 509-968-4909.
Thorp Elem & Jr Sr High – Other; grades KG-12. 10831 N THORP HWY, THORP, WA 98946. 509-964-2107.
Walter Strom Middle School – Middle; grades 06-08. 2694 SR 903, Cle Elum, WA 98922. 509-852-4901.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Kittitas Valley Community Hospital – Critical Access Hospitals. 603 South Chestnut, Ellensburg, WA 98926. 509-962-9841.
Public Safety
For an emergency, call 911. Use the department website for non-emergency contact information.
Kittitas County sheriff — Law enforcement information and departmental contacts.
Emergency Services
Call 911 for an immediate emergency.
Emergency management — Preparedness resources and local alerts.
National Weather Service — Forecasts and weather warnings; search by location.
Ready.gov — Household emergency planning.
State Parks
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park — Park information, maps and current notices.
Find Washington state parks — Search additional parks and activities.
Discover Pass — Parking pass information.
Trails
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park maps and visitor information — Review the park map and current trail notices before a visit.
Utilities
Kittitas PUD — Service, billing and outage information. Confirm whether this provider serves your address.
County public works — County infrastructure and public works services.
Electricity, gas, water, sewer and waste services can have different providers. Check service boundaries for the specific property.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Cle Elum (Carpenter Memorial) Library – 302 Pennsylvania Ave., Cle Elum, WA 98922. 509-674-2313.
Ellensburg Public Library – 209 North Ruby Street, Ellensburg, WA 98926. 509-962-7252.
Gilmour Memorial (Kittitas Public) Library – 207 N Main St., Kittitas, WA 98934. 509-968-0226.
Roslyn Public Library – 201 S. First St., Roslyn, WA 98941. 509-649-3420.
Courts
Kittitas County court services — Court information and local contacts.
Washington Courts directory — Choose Kittitas County to find superior, district, municipal and juvenile courts.
DMV
Washington — Renew or replace a driver license
Washington — Find a driver licensing office
Washington — Renew or replace vehicle tabs
Transportation
Central Transit — Routes, schedules, rider information and service-area details.
WSDOT maps — State highway maps and travel planning.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Kittitas County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Kittitas County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
48,803 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
2,332.989 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with these official Washington resources: Renew or replace a driver license; Find a driver licensing office; Renew or replace vehicle tabs. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
For emergencies, call 911.
Kittitas County sheriff — Use the official department page for non-emergency contacts and services.
Kittitas County government — Find county departments, public meetings and services.
Search USAJOBS for federal positions and the Apprenticeship Finder for apprenticeship opportunities, using location filters to narrow the results. USAGov job-training guidance points to training programs and state resources. Check each listing for current availability, eligibility and application instructions; a search result does not guarantee an opening in the county.
Kittitas County was organized in 1883 from northern Yakima County. The valley was an Indigenous gathering place before later settlers developed livestock, farming, logging and mining activities. The county's own history describes how grasses and water supported animal husbandry, while changing markets influenced local work. Its name has several reported interpretations, so no single translation is necessary to understand the place. The important thread is the relationship between people, valley resources and the communities that developed within this shared geographic setting.
Begin with Ellensburg's local interpretation and choose one working-history theme for further exploration. A valley route can connect town and agricultural landscape, but private fields and industrial sites are not assumed visitor destinations. Seek Tribal sources for Indigenous history and continuing community perspectives. Current maps and managed public access points should guide any river or outdoor stop, leaving historical accounts to explain the changes in land use.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 2,297.280 square miles of land and 35.709 square miles of water in Kittitas County. The county’s total area includes both. These are geographic measurements for that Census vintage, not a measurement of current water levels or public recreation access.
In the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate series, Kittitas County had an estimated 46,823 residents on July 1, 2020, and 48,803 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population increased by 1,980 residents, or about 4.2%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.
Ellensburg is the county seat listed for Kittitas County by the National Association of Counties. For an office visit, confirm the specific department’s address before traveling. NACo county profile.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make Time to ExploreBrowse local places by the kind of day you have in mind.
Explore Kittitas County
Featured local businesses
Parks and outdoor places
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park — Plan a visit using the official park information.
Getting around
A New Stop, a Local ConnectionExplore the Listings Below