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CITY

South Cle Elum

Washington · 588 residents (2025 est.) · 0.402 sq mi
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The short version

South Cle Elum has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $66,750. Population has grown 27% since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $374,300. With a median age of 47.1, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 32% less than the Washington median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 47.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 67%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
579
+27%since 2000
from 457 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,440 / sq mi
+27%since 2000
from 1,137 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
47.1
+22%since 2000
from 38.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:588 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3444625816998181990201020202024South Cle Elum
2024579
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$66,750
−20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $45,833 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$37,569
+68%since 2000
from $22,375 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
46.5%
+27.4 ptssince 2009
from 19.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
13.8%
+7.3 ptssince 2000
from 6.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.345
+19%since 2010
from 0.290 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade18.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Information17.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade5.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance1.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$374,300
+67%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $122,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,661
+33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $686 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
71.6%
−5.7 ptssince 2000
from 77.3% in 2000
28.4% rent
Vacancy rate
7.8%
−7.7 ptssince 2009
from 15.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
30.2%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 29.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
37.5%
−23.6 ptssince 2009
from 61.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.6
+109%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
60
RELATED:See current rent listings in South Cle Elum on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic92.3%(422)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino4.4%(20)
Asian0.2%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score11.3%(52)
2024
White, non-Hispanic78.2%(453)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino12.3%(71)
Asian0%(0)
Other9.5%(55)
Diversity Score45.5%(263)
Diversity Score
45
+302%since 2000
from 11 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.1%
+9.4 ptssince 2000
from 14.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
95.8%
+7.3 ptssince 2000
from 88.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.5%
−0.5 ptssince 2000
from 4.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.8 min
+14%since 2000
from 20.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
85.3%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 88.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
0.0%
−7.0 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.9%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.0%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
0.0%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−12.8 ptssince 2011
from 12.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
57.5%
−10.0 ptssince 2011
from 67.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.3%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 21.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
18.0%
−29.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.2%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 52.0% in 2009
Female
51.8%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 48.0% in 2009
Foreign born
0.9%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.3%
−46.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
21.6%
+2.1 ptssince 2012
from 19.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.9%
−74.6 ptssince 2013
from 80.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
90.8%
+20.0 ptssince 2017
from 70.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
92.4%
+0.8 ptssince 2016
from 91.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
7.6%
−0.8 ptssince 2016
from 8.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare South Cle Elum to nearby cities

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Income$55,438−17%
Home value$404,100+8%
Population21,308+3524%
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SOUTH CLE ELUM VS
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Income$73,040+9%
Home value$433,700+16%
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SOUTH CLE ELUM VS
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Income$77,558+16%
Home value$429,200+15%
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SOUTH CLE ELUM VS
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Income$74,783+12%
Home value$414,600+11%
Population8,678+1376%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in South Cle Elum, Washington?

South Cle Elum, Washington has about 579 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in South Cle Elum, Washington?

The typical household in South Cle Elum, Washington earns about $66,750 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is South Cle Elum, Washington expensive?

In South Cle Elum, Washington, the median home is worth about $374,300, and the typical rent is about $1,661 a month.

How educated are people in South Cle Elum, Washington?

About 24.1% of adults age 25 and over in South Cle Elum, Washington hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in South Cle Elum, Washington?

About 13.8% of people in South Cle Elum, Washington live below the federal poverty line.

Has South Cle Elum, Washington grown since 1990?

Yes, South Cle Elum, Washington has grown since 1990. The population has added about 143 residents, a change of about 33 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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