Our Community
Ellensburg, Washington was first inhabited by the Yakama Indians. Settlers first arrived in Ellensburg in the 1860’s, when it was known as Robber’s Roost, named after it’s first trading post. In 1872, the owner of the trading post sold the store to John Alden Shoudy and his wife Mary Ellen Stewart, whose name would become the "Ellen" in Ellensburg. On November 26, 1883, the city of Ellensburg WA was incorporated.
Ellensburg is located in Kittitas County, 27 miles North of Yakima Washington, and 93 miles Southeast of Seattle Washington. Ellensburg had a population of 71,845 residents. Its total land area is 6.59 square miles, with an average of 2560 people per square mile. Ellensburg’s elevation is 1540 feet above sea level.
Ellensburg's lovely valley location inspires outdoor activities; hiking, fishing, and river rafting are popular activities, along with cross-country skiing. Ellensburg, Washington experiences only about 9 inches of precipitation a year, with 300 days of sunshine. As with many regions of eastern Washington State, the Kittitas Valley is much drier than the western part of the state. Many residents of Seattle and the surrounding areas in the western portion of state visit Ellensburg to enjoy the drier climate. The Cascade Mountain Range is to the west, and the Columbia River is to the east.
Agriculture is a major industry in Ellensburg, which is noted for production of beef cattle and timothy hay, a highly nutritious hay used for horse and cattle feed. Timothy hay is also a diet staple for guinea pigs and domestic rabbits. Interstate 90 provides excellent access to the community and markets.
Major community institutions in Ellensburg include The Kittitas Valley Community Hospital serving Ellensburg, and its surrounding communities, and The Central Washington University, which has been in Ellensburg since 1891. The Gorge Amphitheater has been voted the best major outdoor concert venue in North America!
Local media outlets include The Daily Record (the local newspaper), and radio station KXLE; Ellensburg is probably best noted for being the birthplace of the fames "Punch" Magazine.
Ellensburg WA is home to many annual events including the Ellensburg Rodeo, held annually on Labor Day, Paint Ellensburg, the jazz festival “Jazz in the Valley”, and the Ellensburg Film Festival.
