Visit Cle Elum, Washington

At the site of the future city, a Northern Pacific Railway station was named Clealum after the Kittitas name Tle-el-Lum (tlielləm), meaning "swift water", referring to the Cle Elum River. In 1908, Clealum was altered to Cle Elum. The name was given to the river, the city, and Cle Elum Lake.

Cle Elum was officially incorporated on February 12, 1902.

Headed by John Bresko, Cle Elum was the first to have 'organized' skiing west of Denver, Colorado. Starting in 1921, 100–400 people would be on the ski hill every weekend through the winter. 1931 saw the largest crowd est. at 8,000 spectators for the ski jumping events. The depression ended the skiing and jumping events in 1934.
 

The town was also the birthplace of astronaut Dick Scobee, the commander of the Space Shuttle Challenger on the day of its explosion.

Cle Elum is located in Upper Kittitas County. It is bordered on the north side by the Cle Elum Ridge and the south side by the South Cle Elum Ridge including Peoh Point. The Yakima River Runs through it and also Crystal Creek.

Cle Elum is located at 47°11′39″N 120°56′15″W / 47.19417°N 120.9375°W / 47.19417; -120.9375 (47.194293, -120.937537).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.8 km² (1.5 mi²), all land. It borders South Cle Elum and Roslyn.

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,755 people, 792 households, and 448 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,182.8 people per square mile (457.8/km²). There were 956 housing units at an average density of 644.3/sq mi (249.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.16% White, 0.51% African American, 1.03% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.85% from other races, and 1.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.36% of the population.

There were 792 households out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.1% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.4% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,144, and the median income for a family was $39,000. Males had a median income of $32,750 versus $26,645 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,620. About 17.4% of families and 20.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.3% of those under age 18 and 18.5% of those age 65 or over.

• Cle Elum Telephone Museum - This museum was established in 1966 when the Bell Telephone Company deeded its former central office building to the Cle Elum Historical Society. At that time Cle Elum became the last in the telephone company's service area to be changed over from manual phone service to automatic dialing.
• Suncadia resort- is a five star, four season resort located on the west border or the city.
• Carpenter House Museum - A step over the threshold of the Carpenter House is a step into the past. This marvelous 1914 mansion, with its spacious rooms, tiny alcoves and third-floor ballroom, holds the story of Cle Elum's first successful banker and his family. High Country Artists shares this historic house, and its art displays provide visitors an added experience.
• The Mines - Visit City hall (located on the corner of Oakes Avenue and First Street) for information on mine tours.
• The Coal Mines Trail- Following an abandoned mining railway easement, this spectacular trail passes several historic mining sites as it makes its way along Crystal Creek and up to Roslyn, WA, also going by Rick Winter's house. This generous walking path (former railway bed) has a gentle grade that is suitable for almost all hikers, walkers and bikers.