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KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON <br />CWU inf{uenees ffte Sounfy's demographie composf tion and piays an essefl?fiaf rofe in ifs currenf <br />and fu{ure eocnomy. <br />ln addition to its role as an economic anchor, the presence of CWU is reflected in the area's demographics. The <br />associated student population provides a source of greater racial and ethnic diversity and translates to a younger- <br />than-average population, particularly in Ellensburg where two-thirds of residents are under 35 years old. CWU also <br />influences educational attainment and income levels. Educational attainment is generally high in Kittitas County <br />and is on par with the state and the nation, with about one-third (32 percent) of residents 25 years or older holding <br />a bachelor's degree or higher (Figure 10, page 24). However, at first glance, higher education seems to have not <br />translated into higher wages as the median household income for the County and for Ellensburg are below state <br />and national levels (Figure 1 1, page 25). This finding, in part, reflects the region's high population of student <br />residents. Students tend to report low incomes because few are able to be full-time employees and full-time <br />students simultaneously. (This same student-influenced phenomenon is shown in poverty rates where both <br />Kittitas County and Ellensburg exceed comparisons.) Going forward, leveraging CWU will be important piece of <br />talent attraction, retention efforts. <br />Figure 10. Educational Attainment, 20'19 <br />Population 25 years and older by share of educational attainment. <br />Bozeman, MT <br />Ellensburg city, WA <br />Washington <br />Kittitas County, WA <br />United States <br />Chelan County, WA <br />Douglas County, WA <br />Grant County, WA <br />Lewis County, WA <br />Yakima County, WA <br />32.5V"17.6y, <br />24.50/"13.6% <br />22.40/'13.6% <br />22.1?o 10.2% <br />19.8%12.4V, <br />15.6% 10.1% <br />13.4"/0 7.1Uo <br />Graduate degree <br />Bachelor's degree <br />i:1 Associate's degree <br />I Some college <br />I High school <br />I Less than high school <br />12.3V" 5.4Vo <br />11.0V" 6.7!0 <br />10.17" 6.5% <br />907" 100%\yo 10vo 20"/.307, 400/" 50% 600/o 70y" <br />PERCENTAGE OF POPULATION 25+ <br />80?o <br />Source(s): American Community Survey, 2019 5-year sample; TIP Strategies, lnc. <br />Note(s): Educational attainment only measured for population 25 and older. High school includes equivalency. Some college indicates n0 <br />degree was received. Graduate deqree includes professional degrees and doctoral pr0grams. <br />22.9%17.8oA <br />8,4o/o 20.3V0 24.lvo <br />B 7V,22.0%23.39" <br />8.696 24.9V"26.60/. <br />20.AVo12.l\o 27.0o/" <br />29.8"417.4%26.4% <br />17.9"/o 29.6V.21.7V0 <br />23.3V"27.2%23.1% <br />28.Toh12.5%29.1?" <br />26.3Vo 28.\yo 20.7% <br />PAGE 24 I EEONOMIC DHVELOPMEI'IT STRA TEGIC PLAN