| City: | Ronald, Washington |
| County: | Kittitas County |
| Timezone: | Pacific (GMT -08:00) |
| Local Time: | 12:14:39 AM |
| Population: | 933 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 509 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 47.4057, -121.0952 |
| Land Area: | 159.849 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Ronald sits in the Cascade Mountains of central Washington, serving as the postal hub for vacation communities scattered around Lake Cle Elum and the Salmon La Sac recreation area. With 62% of homes used seasonally (776 of 1,254 housing units), this ZIP transforms between a quiet mountain retreat of 933 year-round residents and a bustling vacation destination during summer and winter recreation seasons.
The Ronald post office maintains 488 PO Boxes for 446 occupied households, an adoption rate of 1.09. This is a PO Box Only Zone. No street delivery exists across the 143 square mile territory. Vacation homeowners, forest service workers, and permanent residents all rely on PO Boxes for mail. Two rural carrier routes serve the area, but delivery is limited to PO Box access at the post office.
Street names tell the story of a recreation-focused community. State Route 903 runs through the area with 15 delivery points. Vacation subdivisions include Cascade View Drive, Salmon La Sac Road, and Lake Cabins Road. Ski resort-themed streets like Breckenridge Drive and Telluride Drive indicate second-home appeal. Nature names dominate: Tamarack, Ponderosa, Grand Fir, White Pine, Hemlock, and dozens of other tree and plant species.
The permanent population skews older and affluent. Median age is 56.4 years. Median household income reaches $122,801, nearly double Washington's median. Home values average $491,000. Of 446 year-round households, 399 are owner-occupied. Only 47 are rentals. This isn't a workforce community. It's a retirement and vacation home area where people choose to live surrounded by national forest.
35% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The workforce is small but includes 199 people in transportation and warehousing (likely supporting recreation access), 56 in accommodation and food services, and 56 who work from home. Zero work in agriculture, education, healthcare, or public administration. This is purely a recreation and residential economy.
The 143 square mile area includes 7.6 square miles of water, primarily Lake Cle Elum, a reservoir created by the Cle Elum Dam. The lake, national forest access, and proximity to mountain recreation define this community. Ronald itself is a former coal mining town that has transformed into a gateway for vacation property owners seeking Cascade Mountain access without the crowds of the Interstate 90 corridor communities.
Street names emphasize mountain recreation character with ski resort references (Breckenridge, Telluride), nature themes (dozens of tree species), and lake access roads.
ZIP Code 98940 has 933 residents and 446 households (average 2.09 persons per household). The median age is 56.4 years, significantly older than the state (38.1) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 53.9% male and 46.1% female, which is higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (92.3%, much higher than the state average of 66.6% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (2.9%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 2.9%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 933Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 461Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 5.8 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $122,801Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 446Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $491,000Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.09Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.83Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 423 | 502 | 550 | 572 | 383 | 385 | 401 | 286 | 241 | 445 | 445 | 409 | 461 |
| Decennial Census | 760 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 933 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 56.4
Male Median Age: 56.4
Female Median Age: 56.8
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 26 | 24 | 44 | 66 | 99 | 44 | 40 | 13 | 2 | 5 |
| Female | 15 | 8 | 25 | 25 | 11 | 6 | 20 | 18 | 24 | 32 | 28 | 33 | 74 | 65 | 25 | 18 | 2 | 1 |
| Total | 36 | 29 | 45 | 45 | 35 | 15 | 32 | 31 | 50 | 56 | 72 | 99 | 173 | 109 | 65 | 31 | 4 | 6 |
| White: | 861 | 94.00% |
| Black: | 0 | 0% |
| Hispanic:* | 27 | 2.95% |
| Asian: | 4 | 0.44% |
| American Indian: | 11 | 1.20% |
| Hawaiian: | 1 | 0.11% |
| Other: | 12 | 1.31% |
| Total: | 916 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 503 | 53.91% | 56.4 years |
| Females: | 430 | 46.09% | 56.8 years |
| Total: | 933 | 100% | 56.4 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 461 | 100.00% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Population: | 461 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 461 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $122,801, which is considerably higher than the national median ($78,538), is up $82,488 (204.6%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $122,801. Family households earn a median of $0 versus $123,509 for nonfamily households (a difference of $123,509). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $0, which is well under the state female median ($63,283), with a current gap of $0 that has widened from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 43.2%, which is much lower than the state rate (64.7%). The unemployment rate is 0.0%, which is markedly below the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (58.3%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $40,313 | $36,745 | $42,964 | $59,653 | $0 | $0 | $61,484 | $100,000 | $0 | $0 | $70,698 | $118,298 | $122,801 |
| Median Family Income | $66,635 | $109,167 | $107,604 | $113,774 | $115,182 | $115,523 | $117,944 | $120,798 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $30,890 | $31,740 | $35,597 | $36,007 | $0 | $38,125 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $123,509 |
| Median Male Income | $72,730 | $71,833 | $75,653 | $76,577 | $0 | $0 | $31,838 | $0 | $46,141 | $45,938 | $48,792 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $155,911 | $158,382 | $160,564 | $61,276 | $0 | $60,488 | $63,365 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Employed: | 199 | 43.17% |
| Unemployed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 262 | 56.83% |
| Total: | 461 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 116 | 58.29% |
| Service: | 83 | 41.71% |
| Sales and Office: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 199 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $491,000, which is markedly greater than the national median ($303,400), is up $215,200 (78.03%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $85,400. The median gross rent is $0, which is far less than the state median ($1,682), is down $1,489 (100.00%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. Of occupied housing, owners make up 69.71% (37.17% with a mortgage, 62.83% free-and-clear) and renters 30.29% - making this ZIP Code more home ownership than the state and under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 74.00%, which is markedly above the state rate (7.42%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $275,800 | $257,100 | $238,200 | $258,300 | $208,600 | $179,700 | $199,600 | $255,000 | $405,600 | $278,800 | $441,000 | $485,400 | $491,000 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 83 | 100.00% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 83 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $1,489 | $1,505 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 71 | 25.91% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 120 | 43.80% |
| Renter Occupied: | 83 | 30.29% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 274 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 274 | 26.00% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 780 | 74.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 1,054 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 1,009 | 95.73% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Other Units: | 45 | 4.27% |
| Total Housing Units: | 1,054 | 100% |
In 2023, 35.40% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is on par with the state rate (38.80%). High school or higher is 100.00%, which is far higher than the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 0.00%, which is far lower than the national rate (8.60%). Private coverage is 84.60%, which is well above the national rate (67.30%). The share of people in poverty is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.70%). Poverty has been broadly stable, which may reflect structural barriers or offsetting gains and setbacks. Insufficient data for school enrollment.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 0 | 0.00% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 157 | 34.06% |
| Some college, no degree: | 83 | 18.00% |
| Associate's degree: | 58 | 12.58% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 71 | 15.40% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 92 | 19.96% |
| Total: | 461 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 461 | 100.00% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 163 | 35.36% |
| Private Insurance: | 390 | 64.68% |
| Public Insurance: | 213 | 35.32% |
| No Insurance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 603 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 603 | 100.00% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 0 | 0% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 0 | 0% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0% |
| College or graduate school: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 0 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 0 | 0% |
ZIP Code 98940 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 25 business establishments, employing about 85 people with an annual payroll of $4,941,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 497Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 25Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $1,123,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $4,941,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 85Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 98940 is located in Kittitas County, Washington, within the Ellensburg, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 21260) and Washington's 8th Congressional District. This Micro area has a population of 44,736 people, about 2.09% of whom live in ZIP Code 98940. It covers 159.849 sq mi of land and a water area of 7.585 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Ellensburg, WASource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 21260Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MicroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 44,736Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 159.849 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 7.585 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 08Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 7359.7 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 5359635Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Ronald CDP; WashingtonSource: Census |
We could not locate which school district 98940 belongs to, but we will update this once new district data is released. There are no public schools nor private schools with a mailing address in this ZIP Code. Listing Nearby schools instead. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on January 1, 2026.