South Cle Elum, Washington
Encyclopedia
South Cle Elum is a town in Kittitas County, Washington, United States
. The population was 457 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 0.4 square miles (1.1 km²), all of it land.
, there were 457 people, 185 households and 123 families residing in the town. The population density
was 1,089.5 per square mile (420.1/km²). There were 210 housing units at an average density of 500.6 per square mile (193.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.09% White, 1.31% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 2.41% from other races
, and 1.97% from two or more races. Hispanic 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 married couples
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 versus $21,625 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $22,375. About 8.1% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 457 at the 2000 census.
History
In mid 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. When it was determined that Milwaukee's mainline would end up running one mile south of the city, South Cle Elum was platted. Maintenace shops and workers bunkers were built as well as a train station. South Cle Elum was officially incorporated on August 28, 1911.Geography
South Cle Elum is located at 47°11′8"N 120°57′11"W (47.185633, -120.953019).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 0.4 square miles (1.1 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
At the 2000 censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, there were 457 people, 185 households and 123 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,089.5 per square mile (420.1/km²). There were 210 housing units at an average density of 500.6 per square mile (193.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.09% White, 1.31% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 2.41% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.97% from two or more races. Hispanic 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 married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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 versus $21,625 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $22,375. About 8.1% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.
Points of Interest in South Cle Elum
- Former Milwaukee Road depotChicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad: South Cle Elum YardThe Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad South Cle Elum Rail Yard located in South Cle Elum, Washington, was a division point on the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad's Coast Division...
: 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 ParkIron Horse State ParkIron Horse State Park, part of the Washington State Park System, is a state park located in the Cascade Mountains and Yakima River Valley, between Cedar Falls on the west and the Columbia River on the east....
: 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 BunkhouseMilwaukee Road BunkhouseThe Milwaukee Road Bunkhouse was built by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad in 1909 to house train crews between shifts. The bunkhouse served the crews at the rail yard and division point at South Cle Elum, Washington...
: Now a B&B.
Notable residents
- Douglas Albert MunroDouglas Albert Munro-External links:...
, first and, so far, only recipient of the Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
from the United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast GuardThe United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
for service during the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
- The Smith family of S & S Logging, stars of Ax MenAx MenAx Men is an American documentary reality television series that premiered on March 9, 2008 on History. The program follows the work of several logging crews in the second-growth forests of Northwestern Oregon, Washington and Montana. The show highlights the dangers encountered by the loggers...
on the History Channel, reside in South Cle Elum.