8/14/21 | Ellensburg | Daily Record~~
The perception that Kittitas County’s population has grown significantly this past decade is backed up by Census numbers released on Thursday.
Kittitas County’s population is listed as 47,935 in the 2020 Census. In 2010, the county’s population was 40,910 — a growth rate of 17.2%.
The growth rate in Ellensburg mirrored that of the county. Ellensburg’s population grew at 15.4% — from 18,301 to 21,111.
The growth rate of Kittitas County and Ellensburg outpaces that of the state. The state of Washington’s population grew by 13.2% — from 6,724,540 to 7,614,893.
Compared to other counties in Central Washington, Kittitas County led the growth pack by far. Growth rates in counties in the region were: Yakima County, 3.1%; Grant County, 9.7%; and Chelan County, 6.5%.
For Kittitas County officials, the numbers come as no surprise.
“It reinforces what we’ve known,” Kittitas County Commission Brett Wachsmith said. “People aren’t just coming here, they’re already here.”
Wachsmith said the growth has informed some decisions, such as the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office looking at establishing an Upper County precinct.
Another real-world impact has been on the housing market, Wachsmith said, as has been seen on the squeeze on supply and rise in prices.
Wachsmith said the county commissioners are in the process of working with the city of Ellensburg to plan for growth in the interface areas with the city and its urban growth area.
He said the hope is that agreements reached with Ellensburg can be used as a template in working with the other cities. (Read all of Kittitas County Census Article)
SOURCE: Daily Record by Michael Gallagher
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