Population 47,172 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Kittitas County
Household size in Kittitas County
| Period | Kittitas County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.29 | 2.56 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.38 | 2.62 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.39 | 2.62 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.35 | 2.61 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.05 | +0.05 | −0.03 |
Households in Kittitas County are small: just 2.35 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.29, even as the national average fell.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Kittitas County
| Period | Kittitas County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.1 | 38.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 37.9 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.8 | 39.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.1 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.0 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
At 39.1, the median age in Kittitas County is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 38.1, mirroring the country. Residents skew youngest in the east and oldest in the northwest.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Kittitas County
| Period | Kittitas County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.5% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.3% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.1% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.9% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.4 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 6.9% of households in Kittitas County, well below the national share of 11.6%. Kittitas County has a lower share of single-parent households than the great majority of Washington counties.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Kittitas County
Renters in Kittitas County
| Period | Kittitas County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.5% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 42.7% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 40.9% | 37.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 38.5% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −5.0 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Nearly four in ten households in Kittitas County rent their homes (38.5%), a bit above the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 39.0% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 5.0 points, even as the national share rose. Of Washington's 39 counties, only two have a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Kittitas County
| Period | Kittitas County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.0% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.3% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 16.4% | 8.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.1% | 7.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Kittitas County: 15.1% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has edged down 0.9 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Kittitas County
| Period | Kittitas County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1977 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1983 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1983 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1990 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +13 | +6 | +6 |
Kittitas County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1990, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1977 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the center, while the south has the oldest housing. Few Washington counties have newer homes: only three of 39.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Kittitas County
| Period | Kittitas County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $904 | $1,018 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $929 | $1,127 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,098 | $1,390 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,542 | $1,875 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$638 | +$858 | +$606 |
Rent in Kittitas County runs $1,542 a month at the median, utilities included, close to the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents here are lower than in Washington as a whole ($1,875). Rents are up $638 a month from 2006–10, a 71% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 30.4% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Kittitas County
Bachelor's degrees in Kittitas County
| Period | Kittitas County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.1% | 31.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 35.2% | 32.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 33.6% | 35.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 38.6% | 38.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.5 pts | +7.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
Nearly four in ten adults 25 and older in Kittitas County (38.6%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 6.5 points, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the east and least in the northwest.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Kittitas County
| Period | Kittitas County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 89.6% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 90.6% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.6% | 91.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.1% | 91.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.5 pts | +2.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Kittitas County is above the national rate: 94.1% of adults have a diploma, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 4.5 points, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Kittitas County
| Period | Kittitas County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.9% | 7.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.1% | 8.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.0% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.5% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.4 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.5%, unemployment in Kittitas County is close to the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment is down 2.4 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Kittitas County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kittitas County | 2.35 | 39.1 | 6.9% | 38.5% | 15.1% | 1990 | $1,542 | 38.6% | 94.1% | 5.5% |
| Chelan County | 2.61 | 41.4 | 9.6% | 35.4% | 14.2% | 1981 | $1,300 | 30.8% | 86.3% | 3.9% |
| Douglas County | 2.76 | 39.5 | 14.3% | 30.7% | 10.6% | 1986 | $1,489 | 21.7% | 82.4% | 3.7% |
| Yakima County | 3.01 | 34.2 | 18.2% | 38.2% | 6.1% | 1977 | $1,212 | 18.5% | 75.7% | 7.4% |
| Grant County | 2.85 | 35.2 | 15.8% | 33.7% | 10.1% | 1986 | $1,156 | 19.0% | 81.7% | 6.2% |
| Adams County | 3.34 | 29.5 | 13.0% | 30.7% | 8.6% | 1976 | $933 | 14.8% | 64.4% | 3.9% |
| King County | 2.53 | 38.6 | 7.8% | 44.6% | 7.0% | 1981 | $2,293 | 55.7% | 93.4% | 5.0% |
| Pierce County | 2.68 | 38.3 | 12.3% | 35.3% | 6.3% | 1984 | $1,975 | 30.6% | 92.4% | 5.3% |
| Thurston County | 2.55 | 40.8 | 9.8% | 32.3% | 5.8% | 1990 | $1,838 | 38.2% | 94.7% | 5.0% |
| Lewis County | 2.63 | 42.9 | 10.7% | 24.2% | 7.5% | 1979 | $1,132 | 21.7% | 91.0% | 5.3% |
| Mason County | 2.62 | 45.8 | 9.2% | 17.7% | 18.9% | 1989 | $1,315 | 21.0% | 89.8% | 6.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Williams County, ND · Becker County, MN · Bedford County, PA · Beltrami County, MN · Bennington County, VT · Calloway County, KY · Wharton County, TX · Whitley County, KY · Whitman County, WA · Addison County, VT
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Kittitas County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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