South Cle Elum is a town in Kittitas County, Washington, United States. The population was 559 at the 2020 census.

History

In 1909, the Chicago, Milwaukee & Puget Sound Railway chose Cle Elum as a division point between the Coast and Columbia divisions on its future transcontinental line."Milwaukee Divisions Set" ''

The Oregonian ''The Oregonian'' is a daily newspaper based in Portland, Oregon, United States, owned by Advance Publications. It is the oldest continuously published newspaper on the West Coast of the United States, U.S. West Coast, founded as a weekly by Tho ...

'' July 1, 1909. When it was determined that Milwaukee's mainline would end up running one mile south of the city, South Cle Elum was platted. Maintenance shops and workers' bunkers were built as well as a train station. South Cle Elum was officially incorporated on August 28, 1911.

Geography

According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...

, the town has a total area of , all land.

Climate

Demographics

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 532 people, 235 households, and 145 families residing in the town. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: Standing stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geog ...

was . There were 271 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 93.2%

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...

, 0.4%

African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...

, 1.5% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 1.5% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races.

Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...

or Latino of any race were 5.1% of the population. There were 235 households, of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...

living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.3% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.80. The median age in the town was 42.8 years. 21.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24% were from 25 to 44; 28.3% were from 45 to 64; and 18.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.6% male and 50.4% female.

2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 457 people, 185 households and 123 families residing in the town. The

was . There were 210 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 94.09%

, 1.31% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 2.41% from other races, and 1.97% from two or more races.

or Latino of any race were 4.38% of the population. There were 185 households, of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were

living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.03. Age distribution was 29.5% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.3 males. The median household income was $45,833, and the median family income was $53,750. Males had a median income of $35,625; females, $21,625. The

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...

for the town was $22,375. About 8.1% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.

Government

South Cle Elum is classified as a town and has a non-partisan mayor–council form of government, with the mayor and five council members elected at-large for staggered four-year terms.

Points of Interest in South Cle Elum

* Former Milwaukee Road depot: This depot, originally built in 1909, has been restored and now houses a museum of railroad artifacts. The telegrapher's desk and equipment have been set up to show visitors how messages were communicated in the early days. There is also a cafe with fixtures that represent the original "beanery;" a place for railroad workers to eat. * The Iron Horse State Park: This former right-of-way for the Milwaukee Road today serves as a path for hikers, cross-country skiers and horseback riders. An interpretive trail, near the former depot, shows locations of important structures, such as the roundhouse. From I-90 at exit #84, follow signs to South Cle Elum. Once in town, follow signs to parking area. * Former Milwaukee Road Bunkhouse: Now a B&B.

Notable people

Douglas Albert Munro Douglas Albert Munro (October 11, 1919 – September 27, 1942) was a United States Coast Guard, United States coast guardsman who was posthumously decorated with the Medal of Honor for an act of "extraordinary heroism" during World War II. He i ...

, the first, and so far only,

United States Coast Guard The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is the maritime security, search and rescue, and Admiralty law, law enforcement military branch, service branch of the armed forces of the United States. It is one of the country's eight Uniformed services ...

recipient of the

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces, military decoration and is awarded to recognize American United States Army, soldiers, United States Navy, sailors, Un ...

, for service during the Battle of Guadalcanal in

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. * The Smith family of S & S Logging, stars of Ax Men on the

History Channel History (formerly and commonly known as the History Channel) is an American pay television television broadcaster, network and the flagship channel of A&E Networks, a joint venture between Hearst Communications and the Disney General Entertainme ...

, reside in South Cle Elum.

References

{{Authority control Towns in Kittitas County, Washington Towns in Washington (state)