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Kennewick, Washington
Kennewick, Washington
Kennewick, Washington
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Kennewick (/ˈkɛnəwɪk/) is a city in Benton County, Washington, United States. It is located along the southwest bank of the Columbia River, just southeast of the confluence of the Columbia and Yakima rivers and across from the confluence of the Columbia and Snake rivers. It is the most populous of the three cities collectively referred to as the Tri-Cities (the others being Pasco and Richland). The population was 83,921 at the 2020 census,[6] and was estimated at 86,728 in 2024.[7]

Key Information

The discovery of Kennewick Man along the banks of the Columbia River provides evidence of Native Americans' settlement of the area for at least 9,000 years.[9] American settlers began moving into the region in the late 19th century as transportation infrastructure was built to connect Kennewick to other settlements along the Columbia River. The construction of the Hanford Site at Richland accelerated the city's growth in the 1940s as workers from around the country came to participate in the Manhattan Project. While Hanford and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory continue to be major sources of employment,[10] the city's economy has diversified over time and Kennewick today hosts offices for Amazon and Lamb Weston.[11][12]

History

[edit]
Main article: Timeline of the Tri-Cities, Washington

Native peoples

[edit]

Native Americans populated the area around modern-day Kennewick for millennia before being discovered and settled by European descendants. These inhabitants consisted of people from the Umatilla, Wanapum, Nez Perce, and Yakama tribes. Kennewick's low elevation helped to moderate winter temperatures. On top of this, the riverside location made salmon and other river fish easily accessible. By the 19th century, people lived in and between two major camps in the area. These were located near present-day Sacajawea State Park in Pasco and Columbia Point in Richland. Lewis and Clark noted that there were many people living in the area when they passed through in 1805 and 1806.[13] The map produced following their journey marks two significant villages in the area - Wollawollah and Selloatpallah. These had approximate populations of 2,600 and 3,000 respectively.[14]

There are conflicting stories on how Kennewick gained its name, but these narratives attribute it to the Native Americans living in the area. Some reports claim that the name comes from a native word meaning "grassy place".[15] It has also been called "winter paradise", mostly because of the mild winters in the area. In the past, Kennewick has also been known by other names. The area was known as Tehe from 1886 to 1891, and this name appears on early letters sent to the area with the city listed as Tehe, Washington.[16] Other reports claim that the city's name is derived from how locals pronounced the name Chenoythe, who was a member of the Hudson's Bay Company.[17]

Settlement and early 20th century

[edit]
Businessmen from the Seattle Chamber of Commerce visiting Kennewick in 1908.

The Umatilla and Yakama tribes ceded the land Kennewick sits on at the Walla Walla Council in 1855.[18] Ranchers began working with cattle and horses in the area as early as the 1860s, but in general settlement was slow due to the arid climate. Ainsworth became the first non-Native settlement in the area—where U.S. Route 12 now crosses the Snake River between Pasco and Burbank. Some Ainsworth residents would commute to what is now Kennewick via small boats for work. All that remains of Ainsworth is a marker placed by the Washington State Department of Transportation near the site.[19]

During the 1880s, steamboats and railroads connected what would become known as Kennewick to the other settlements along the Columbia River.[13] Until the construction of a railroad bridge, rail freight from Minneapolis to Tacoma had to cross the Columbia River via ferry.[20] In 1887, a temporary railroad bridge was constructed by the Northern Pacific Railroad connecting Kennewick and Pasco. That bridge could not endure the winter ice on the Columbia and was partially swept away in the first winter. A new, more permanent bridge was built in its place in 1888. It was around this time that a town plan was first laid out, centered around the needs of the railroad. A school was constructed using donated funds, but this burned soon after it was finished. This initial boom only lasted briefly, as most of the people who came to Kennewick left after the bridge was finished.[17]

In the 1890s, the Northern Pacific Irrigation Company installed pumps and ditches to bring water for agriculture into the Kennewick Highlands. Once there was a reliable water source, orchards and vineyards were planted all over the Kennewick area. Strawberries were another successful crop.[21] The turn of the century saw the creation of the city's first newspaper, the Columbia Courier. Kennewick was officially incorporated on February 5, 1904. and the name of the newspaper changed to the Kennewick Courier in 1905 to reflect this change.[22] In the following decade, an unsuccessful bid attempted to move the seat of Benton County from Prosser to Kennewick. There have been other unsuccessful attempts to make this move throughout the city's history, most recently in 2010.[23][24]

In 1915, the opening of the Celilo Canal connected Kennewick to the Pacific Ocean via the Columbia River. City residents hoped to capitalize on this new infrastructure by forming the Port of Kennewick, making the city an inland seaport. Freight and passenger ship traffic began that same year. The port also developed rail facilities in the area.[25] Transportation in the region further improved with the construction of the Pasco-Kennewick Bridge in 1922, which is locally known as the Green Bridge. This bridge connected the two cities by vehicle traffic for the first time.[26][27] Kennewick and Pasco both experienced decent growth and became informally known as the Twin Cities throughout the Columbia Basin because of their juxtaposition across the river from each other.

Like many other agricultural communities, the Great Depression had an impact in Kennewick. Despite lowered prices for crops grown in the region, the city continued to experience growth, gaining another 400 people during the 1930s. Growth was aided by federal projects that improved the Columbia River. Downstream, Bonneville Dam at Cascade Locks, Oregon allowed larger barges to reach Kennewick. Grand Coulee Dam, located upstream of Kennewick, fostered irrigation across the Columbia Basin north of Pasco, sending more raw material through Kennewick.[13]

Post-war development

[edit]
The Blue Bridge as seen from Columbia Park

Kennewick and the greater Tri-Cities area experienced significant changes during World War II. In 1943, the United States opened the Hanford nuclear site in and north of Richland. Its purpose originally was to help produce nuclear weaponry, which the US was trying to develop. People came from across the United States to work at Hanford, who were unaware of what they were actually producing. They were only told that their work would help the war effort.[28] The federal government constructed housing in Richland, but many employees of that site then commuted from Kennewick. The plutonium refined at the Hanford Site was used in the Fat Man bomb, which was dropped in Nagasaki in 1945. As the Hanford Site's purpose has evolved, there has continually been a tremendous influence from the site on the workforce and economy of Kennewick.[29][10] Due to activity at the Hanford Site, the 1950 census recorded major population growth in the Tri-Cities, with Richland overtaking to become the largest city in the region. From 1940 to 1950, the population of Richland grew from 247 residents to 21,793 residents, while Pasco gained from 3,913 to 10,114, and Kennewick increased from 1,918 to 10,085.[30]

An effort to build a new bridge began in 1949 and was funded in 1951 because of increasing traffic between Kennewick and Pasco, largely due to commuters heading to and from the Hanford Site in Richland and McNary Dam, which was under construction near Umatilla, Oregon. The two-lane Green Bridge was the only one for automobiles across the Columbia River in the Tri-Cities at the time, and the 10,000 cars crossing it daily had created traffic problems. A new four-lane divided highway bridge, dubbed the Blue Bridge, opened in 1954 less than 2 miles (3.2 km) upstream from the Green Bridge.[31] The Cable Bridge opened between Kennewick and Pasco in 1978 and was built to replace the Green Bridge. However, demolishing the Green Bridge proved to be controversial. Those seeking to preserve the bridge for historical reasons were able to stall the demolition, but it was eventually torn down in 1990.[32]

20th century racial discrimination

[edit]

Racial discrimination against African Americans was common in Kennewick before the civil rights movement. The city was a sundown town, requiring African Americans to be out of the city after nightfall. The only place they could live in the Tri-Cities at one time was east Pasco. Even during the day, African Americans would experience harassment by the general public and police, with some police officers stopping every person of color they found in the city after dark.[33] In the 1940s, covenants restricted African Americans from owning property in the city. After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Shelley v. Kraemer that racially restrictive covenants could not be enforced in state courts, these were replaced by informal agreements between homeowners and realtors to refuse to sell to African Americans.[34]

Kennewick's racial discrimination problems became a contributing factor behind a community college not being built there in the 1950s.[35] In 1963, regional NAACP leaders started pressuring the state government to investigate exclusionary practices and staged demonstrations in front of city hall.[36][37] Initial meetings led the state to determine that while no official policy banning African Americans from the city existed, racial discrimination was a significant barrier to that community living and feeling safe.[33] Despite this, the Washington State Board Against Discrimination indicted Kennewick for its sundown town status.[38][39][40]

1980 to present

[edit]

The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens caused volcanic ash to fall on Kennewick.[41] Higher accumulations were recorded in surrounding communities, such as Ritzville, and the ash plume was thick enough to trigger street lamps to turn on at noon. Cars that didn't have external filters stopped functioning during the eruption.[42] Kennewick and surrounding areas have been dusted by smaller eruptions of Mount St. Helens since.[43]

The area was connected to the Interstate Highway System in 1986 when construction on Interstate 82 (I-82) between Benton City and the south end of Kennewick was completed.[44] This came after over a decade of fighting between Washington and Oregon regarding the planned route of the freeway. With backing from Tri-Cities and Walla Walla area businesses, Washington had pushed for a route that connected those cities.[45] Oregon eventually opposing proposed routes that didn't cross the Umatilla Bridge, a compromise was reached placing I-82 on its current alignment to the south and southwest of Kennewick while authorizing the construction of Interstate 182 as a spur heading directly into Richland and Pasco.[46][47]

The 1980s also brought the two most serious attempts to merge Kennewick with the other cities in the Tri-Cities, both of which failed. This resulted from an economic down turn in the area caused by the cancellation of two proposed nuclear power plants on the Hanford Site. The first proposal was to consolidate all three cities (Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland) into one, while the second only included Kennewick and Richland. Support for both of these attempts was strong in Richland, but voters in Kennewick and Pasco were not on board.[48]

The Toyota Center was used as a venue for ice hockey and figure skating during the 1990 Goodwill Games.[49] This international sporting competition was similar to the Olympic Games, but significantly smaller in scale. Most of the events were held in the host city, Seattle, but were also staged in other areas of the state, including Tacoma and Spokane.[50]

In 1996, an ancient human skeleton was found on a bank of the Columbia River. Known as Kennewick Man, the remains are notable for their age (some 9,300 years). Ownership of the bones has been a matter of controversy with Native American tribes in the Inland Northwest claiming the bones to be from an ancestor of theirs and wanting them to be reburied. After a court litigation, a group of researchers were allowed to study the remains and perform various tests and analyses. They published their results in a book in 2014. A 2015 genetic analysis confirmed the ancient skeleton's ancestry to the Native Americans of the area (some observers contended that the remains were of European origin). The genetic analysis has notably contributed to knowledge about the peopling of the Americas.[51]

Kennewick fared better than most of the state during the Great Recession, primarily due to consistent job growth in the metro area during that time. This was largely driven by the Hanford Site, which only had one significant period of layoffs which briefly caused economic uncertainty. Home sales experienced a small decline from 2007 to 2009, but rebounded in 2010.[52][53] Since the recession, Kennewick has expanded greatly. While growth has been experienced throughout the city, new development has been strongest in the Southridge area along U.S. Route 395 (US 395) and in the west part of the city thanks to their access to major roads and the ample land available in those areas when development started.[54]

Geography

[edit]
View from ISS Expedition 73, April 2025

Kennewick is located in Eastern Washington along the south side of the Columbia River and is one of three cities in the Tri-Cities. The other two cities are Richland, which is upstream of Kennewick on the same side of the river, and Pasco, which is across the river. The elevation within the city rises from the river to a line of ridges on the south side of town that are a result of the same anticline that created Badger Mountain and Rattlesnake Mountain.[55] Beyond that line of ridges, the city slopes up toward the Horse Heaven Hills.[56] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 29.962 square miles (77.60 km2), of which 28.570 square miles (74.00 km2) is land and 1.392 square miles (3.61 km2) (4.65%) is water.[4] The former community of Vista is now a neighborhood fully contained within Kennewick.

The city overlies basalt laid down by the Columbia River Basalt Group, which was a type of volcanic eruption known as a flood basalt. This erupted from fissures that were geographically spread throughout eastern Washington, eastern Oregon, and far western Idaho. Most of the lava erupted between 17 and 14 million years ago, with smaller eruptions lasting as late as 6 million years ago.[57][58] The nearest eruptive vent to Kennewick from this period is near Ice Harbor Dam along the Snake River upstream of Burbank and Pasco. While outcroppings from the basalt flows can be seen throughout Kennewick, they are mostly buried by sediments.[59]

The first major sediment deposit following the eruptions is the Ringold Formation, which was placed by the Columbia River between 8 and 3 million years ago. Further deposition came as a result of the Missoula Floods.[55] At the end of the last glacial maximum, an ice dam blocked the Clark Fork River in Montana. The pressure from the resulting lake would periodically build to the point that the dam would fail, sending massive amounts of water cascading to the Pacific Ocean.[60] The flood's movement was impeded by the Horse Heaven Hills, creating a temporary lake known as Lake Lewis. This abrupt halt in flow allowed the floodwater to drop a significant amount of sediment before passing through Wallula Gap toward Hermiston. During the largest floods, the water's surface reached 1,250 feet (380 m) above sea level. This completely covered all of the land within Kennewick's city limits.[61]

Earthquakes are a hazard in Kennewick, though not to the same extent or frequency as areas west of the Cascade Range like the Puget Sound Region. The entire Pacific Northwest is threatened with subduction zone earthquakes that can exceed magnitudes of 9 on the moment magnitude scale. The last of these earthquakes, which could be compared to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake in Japan, occurred in 1700.[62] Should the next earthquake occur, damage is expected to be minimal in and around Kennewick, but destruction west of the Cascades could have a major impact of the economy of inland areas. These subduction zone earthquakes will be centered on the boundary between the North American Plate and the Juan de Fuca Plate, which is located offshore.[63] Fault lines closer to Kennewick also produce earthquakes. While these are weaker, they can still cause damage. One such earthquake, named the 1936 State Line earthquake, occurred near Walla Walla with damage extending as far away as Prosser.[64]

Climate

[edit]
Satellite view of a dust storm in 2009 obscuring parts of Kennewick.

Kennewick has a semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk), that closely borders on a desert climate (Köppen BWk) due to its position east of the Cascade Mountains.[65] The Cascades create an effective rain shadow, causing Kennewick to receive a fraction of the precipitation that cities west of the mountains like Portland and Seattle get annually, with values being more similar to that of Phoenix, Arizona. The mountains also insulate Kennewick from the moderating effects of the Pacific Ocean, allowing the city to experience more extreme temperatures.[66][67]

Before McNary Dam was built on the Columbia River downstream of Kennewick, the river would periodically flood. The worst of these floods happened in 1948 and caused one death and $50 million ($533.6 million in 2019) worth of damage.[68] The government responded by building the McNary Levee System to protect lower parts of town.[69] Floods like this were the result of melting snow, and were most extreme when a heavy snowpack developed in the mountains over winter followed by a strong regional heatwave. The flood threat from the Columbia has significantly decreased since dams were built.[70] Zintel Canyon Dam located near the Southridge Sports and Events Complex was built to protect parts of the city from a 100-year flood. While the creek that flows through Zintel Canyon typically runs dry, summer thunderstorms in the Horse Heaven Hills can generate destructive flash floods.[71]

Lying at the bottom of a basin, temperature inversions can develop, creating dense fog and low clouds in Kennewick. This is particularly common in the winter and can last for several days. Inversions form during periods of high pressure. High pressure combining with the low angle of the sun in winter brings stability in the atmosphere, allowing denser cold air to sink to the floor of the Columbia Basin. Pollutants will also become trapped, lowering the air quality. When fog develops during an inversion, it will often limit diurnal temperature changes to just a few degrees. Temperatures in areas above the inversion will often be warmer despite being at a higher elevation.[72] These inversions cause a major decrease in the amount of sunshine Kennewick receives annually.[73] If a weather system drops precipitation but isn't strong enough to clear the inversion, freezing rain or sleet can fall in Kennewick.[74]

The average annual wind speed in Kennewick is 8 miles per hour (13 km/h), but strong winds are a common occurrence in Kennewick and can sometimes cause damage.[75] Wind and the arid nature of the region can cause dust storms. These events can happen any time of the year but is most common in the spring and fall months when farms in the region have high amounts of exposed soil.[76] Chinook winds can also be experienced during the winter. These are formed when moisture gets removed from air moving across the Cascade Mountains, allowing the air to warm significantly as it descends into the Yakima Valley and Columbia Basin. Many of the high temperature records set during the winter months result from Chinook events.[77][78]

Summer brings extreme heat and low humidity, which are ideal conditions for wildfires in undeveloped areas adjacent to town. One such fire in 2018 started along Interstate 82 south of Kennewick and burned 5,000 acres (2,000 ha), destroying five homes on the edge of Kennewick.[79] While rare, severe thunderstorms can also cause damage in Kennewick. Severe storms can produce damaging wind, hail, lightning, and weak tornadoes. No tornadoes were recorded in Kennewick between 1962 and 2011, but one did touch down in 2016.[80][81] The hardiness zone is 7b bordering 8a.

Climate data for Kennewick, Washington, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1894–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 74
(23) 		74
(23) 		87
(31) 		95
(35) 		104
(40) 		114
(46) 		115
(46) 		115
(46) 		100
(38) 		89
(32) 		79
(26) 		72
(22) 		115
(46)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 59.5
(15.3) 		61.8
(16.6) 		70.8
(21.6) 		81.5
(27.5) 		91.4
(33.0) 		97.9
(36.6) 		103.4
(39.7) 		102.1
(38.9) 		92.9
(33.8) 		80.1
(26.7) 		68.1
(20.1) 		59.8
(15.4) 		104.4
(40.2)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 41.7
(5.4) 		48.1
(8.9) 		58.1
(14.5) 		66.3
(19.1) 		75.3
(24.1) 		82.0
(27.8) 		91.3
(32.9) 		90.3
(32.4) 		80.5
(26.9) 		65.9
(18.8) 		50.9
(10.5) 		41.5
(5.3) 		66.0
(18.9)
Daily mean °F (°C) 35.5
(1.9) 		39.5
(4.2) 		47.0
(8.3) 		54.3
(12.4) 		62.7
(17.1) 		69.2
(20.7) 		76.8
(24.9) 		75.8
(24.3) 		66.8
(19.3) 		54.5
(12.5) 		42.9
(6.1) 		35.6
(2.0) 		55.1
(12.8)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 29.6
(−1.3) 		31.0
(−0.6) 		36.2
(2.3) 		42.5
(5.8) 		50.4
(10.2) 		56.7
(13.7) 		62.7
(17.1) 		61.6
(16.4) 		53.5
(11.9) 		43.4
(6.3) 		35.2
(1.8) 		30.0
(−1.1) 		44.4
(6.9)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 15.3
(−9.3) 		18.8
(−7.3) 		26.1
(−3.3) 		33.5
(0.8) 		40.1
(4.5) 		48.4
(9.1) 		54.5
(12.5) 		53.3
(11.8) 		43.8
(6.6) 		30.7
(−0.7) 		22.5
(−5.3) 		16.8
(−8.4) 		10.0
(−12.2)
Record low °F (°C) −27
(−33) 		−23
(−31) 		8
(−13) 		18
(−8) 		26
(−3) 		35
(2) 		38
(3) 		37
(3) 		21
(−6) 		14
(−10) 		−8
(−22) 		−29
(−34) 		−29
(−34)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.13
(29) 		0.79
(20) 		0.66
(17) 		0.61
(15) 		0.81
(21) 		0.59
(15) 		0.20
(5.1) 		0.17
(4.3) 		0.26
(6.6) 		0.66
(17) 		0.86
(22) 		1.13
(29) 		7.87
(201)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 1.3
(3.3) 		0.1
(0.25) 		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
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.4
(1.0) 		0.4
(1.0) 		2.2
(5.55)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 11.1 8.1 7.8 6.9 6.3 4.7 2.1 1.9 2.6 6.3 8.9 10.5 77.2
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 0.8 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.6 1.8
Source 1: NOAA[82]
Source 2: National Weather Service[83]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1900183—
19101,219566.1%
19201,68438.1%
19301,519−9.8%
19401,91826.3%
195010,106426.9%
196014,24440.9%
197015,2126.8%
198034,397126.1%
199042,15522.6%
200054,69329.7%
201073,91735.1%
202083,92113.5%
2024 (est.)86,728[7]3.3%
Population History[84]
U.S. Decennial Census[85]
2020 Census[6]

As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there are 33,463 estimated households in Kennewick with an average of 2.56 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $78,226. Approximately 14.7% of the city's population lives at or below the poverty line. Kennewick has an estimated 58.6% employment rate, with 27.4% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 86.0% holding a high school diploma.[86] There were 35,463 housing units at an average density of 1,241.27 per square mile (479.3/km2).

The median age in the city was 35.5 years.

Kennewick, Washington – racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) Pop. 1980[87] Pop. 1990[88] Pop. 2000[89] Pop. 2010[90] Pop. 2020[91]
White alone (NH) 31,914
(92.78%)		 36,857
(87.43%)		 42,720
(78.11%)		 50,835
(68.77%)		 49,699
(59.22%)
Black or African American alone (NH) 236
(0.69%)		 464
(1.10%)		 579
(1.06%)		 1,144
(1.55%)		 1,450
(1.73%)
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) — 290
(0.69%)		 396
(0.72%)		 477
(0.65%)		 488
(0.58%)
Asian alone (NH) — 814
(1.93%)		 1,153
(2.11%)		 1,705
(2.31%)		 2,308
(2.75%)
Pacific Islander alone (NH) — — 45
(0.08%)		 123
(0.17%)		 336
(0.40%)
Other race alone (NH) 849
(2.47%)		 46
(0.11%)		 66
(0.12%)		 125
(0.17%)		 391
(0.47%)
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) — — 1,231
(2.25%)		 1,599
(2.16%)		 3,942
(4.70%)
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1,398
(4.06%)		 3,684
(8.74%)		 8,503
(15.55%)		 17,909
(24.23%)		 25,307
(30.16%)
Total 34,397
(100.00%)		 42,155
(100.00%)		 54,693
(100.00%)		 73,917
(100.00%)		 83,921
(100.00%)

2020 census

[edit]

As of the 2020 census, there were 83,921 people, 30,761 households, and 20,687 families residing in the city.[92] The population density was 3,057.34 inhabitants per square mile (1,180.4/km2). There were 32,242 housing units at an average density of 1,174.61 per square mile (453.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 65.35% White, 1.90% African American, 1.15% Native American, 2.84% Asian, 0.45% Pacific Islander, 15.32% from some other races and 12.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 30.16% of the population.[93]

2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 census, there were 73,917 people, 27,266 households, and 18,528 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,744.8 inhabitants per square mile (1,059.8/km2). There were 28,507 housing units at an average density of 1,058.6 units per square mile (408.7 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 78.5% White, 1.7% African American, 0.8% Native American, 2.4% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 12.1% from other races, and 4.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 24.2% of the population.[94]

Of the 27,266 households, 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.0% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of single individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.22.[94]

The median age in the city was 32.6 years. 28.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.8% were from 25 to 44; 23.8% were from 45 to 64; and 10.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.9% male and 50.1% female.[94]

2000 census

[edit]

As of the 2000 census, there were 54,693 people, 20,786 households, and 14,176 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,384.9 inhabitants per square mile (920.8/km2). There were 22,043 housing units at an average density of 961.2 per square mile (371.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 82.9% White, 1.1% Black or African American, 0.9% Native American, 2.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 9.4% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. 15.5% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.2% were of German, 9.6% English, 8.5% Irish and 8.5% American ancestry. 84.6% spoke English and 12.5% Spanish as their first language.[95]

There were 20,786 households, out of which 37.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.6 and the average family size was 3.15.[95]

In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.6% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.[95]

The median income for a household in the city was $41,213, and the median income for a family was $50,011. Males had a median income of $41,589 versus $26,022 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,152. About 9.7% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.8% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.[95]

Economy

[edit]
A retail building in downtown Kennewick.

Kennewick's economy is closely tied to the rest of the Tri-Cities and is heavily influenced by the Hanford Site and the national laboratory. The agriculture and healthcare industries also employ many residents.[96] It has developed to become the retail hub of the Tri-Cities and hosts the only mall in the area—Columbia Center Mall.[13] As such, Kennewick draws in shoppers from a significant portion of southeast Washington and northeast Oregon.[97] Aside from the commercial area around the mall, the other significant retail districts include the historic downtown area and the newly developed Southridge district.[98][99]

Many agricultural commodities are grown near Kennewick, and many of these pass through the city to be processed and/or transported to other markets for consumption. Lamb Weston, headquartered in Eagle, Idaho, a division of ConAgra Foods, has corporate offices in Kennewick and Tyson Foods does processing in town.[96] Volcanic ash is mixed in with the rich soil of the region, creating ideal growing conditions for numerous crops.[100] Irrigation enhanced the region through further diversification of agricultural products coming from the Columbia Basin to include vineyards and a variety of vegetables and tree fruit. In higher elevations, like much of the Horse Heaven Hills, there is no access to irrigation water, limiting agricultural activities in that area to ranching and growing wheat.[13][101][102]

The region is experiencing consistent job growth, which is creating a large population boom. Home prices have increased by about 10% annually in Kennewick for the past several years, with slower increases having occurred before 2016.[97] Despite this growth, unemployment remained above both the national and state averages in 2020.[103] Recently, industrial growth in Hermiston and at the Port of Morrow in Boardman has led to an increase in the number of Kennewick residents who commute to those areas for work.[104] This is further enhanced by a housing shortage in northeast Oregon.[105][106]

Culture

[edit]
The American Empress stops in the Tri-Cities for wine tours and other excursions.

Kennewick hosts a number of events throughout the year, many of which are held outdoors in public parks during the warm season.[107] The largest weekend event in town is the Tri-Cities Water Follies, which fill the weekend of the HAPO Gold Cup, a hydroplane race taking place every July in the Columbia River just upstream of the Blue Bridge.[108] Activities in Kennewick that weekend include the races itself as well as an airshow. There are other events throughout the Tri-Cities during Water Follies, such as Art in the Park, a craft show at Howard Amon Park in Richland.[109][110] Over 70,000 people attend events related to Water Follies each year.[111]

Benton and Franklin Counties combine to host a single fair at the end of each summer at the fairgrounds off SR 397 in east Kennewick. Like many other county fairs across the United States, the fair has livestock exhibitions, retail, carnival rides, and concerts.[112] Also on site during the fair is a rodeo named the Horse Heaven Round-Up.[113]

Tourism

[edit]

The arid climate and warm temperatures during the summer draw people to Kennewick from around the Pacific Northwest. Many summertime visitors engage in boating and other water related activities in the Columbia, Snake, and Yakima rivers.[114] The city and port district work together to further develop tourism throughout the city. This includes recent improvements to Clover Island, which has a hotel, lighthouse, and the Ice Harbor Brewing Company.[115][116][117] Adjacent to Clover Island is historic downtown, which has many antique and clothing shops. As of 2020, work is ongoing to develop the former Vista Field area in the west side of town into a mixed-use development that will include shopping.[118]

Kennewick lies near the center of Washington's wine country, which stretches from the Yakima Valley through the Columbia Basin and Horse Heaven Hills east to the Walla Walla Valley. There are several American Viticultural Areas near town. Wine tasting is a major part of the Tri-Cities tourism economy, with over 300 wineries and wine bars rooms in the area.[119] The city actively markets this to bring in visitors.[120] Cruises travel up the Columbia from Portland with a stop in the Tri-Cities to tour wineries in the area.[121]

Sports

[edit]
Club Sport League Venue
(capacity) 		Founded Titles Record
Attendance
Tri-City Americans Ice hockey WHL Toyota Center
(5,694) 		1988 0 6,053
Tri-City Dust Devils Baseball MiLB Gesa Stadium
(3,700) 		1979 1 2,701
The Toyota Center.

Kennewick hosts two professional sports team, the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League and the Tri-City Dust Devils (baseball). The Tri-City Americans play at the Toyota Center.[122][123] The Tri-City Dust Devils (a farm team of the Los Angeles Angels) plays at Gesa Stadium in Pasco.[124]

The Tri-City Americans were one of the original teams in the Western Hockey League, starting in Calgary, Alberta in 1966. The team moved a couple times before coming to the Tri-Cities in 1988, most recently being in a suburb of Vancouver, British Columbia. The team's move to the Tri-Cities made them the first professional hockey team to play in the area and was the catalyst for constructing the Toyota Center.[125] The Americans have won the US Division four times, but have not yet won a Western Conference final.[126]

The Tri-Cities Fire was an indoor football team that played in a league with three other teams. The team was founded in 2019, bringing indoor football back to the Toyota Center after the Tri-City Fever went dormant in 2016. The team folded after one year.[127][128] The Fire finished their first season with an 0–12 record, the worst in the league.[129] The Fever won one National Indoor Football League championship in 2005, beating the Rome Renegades. They went to the Indoor Football League championship game in 2011 and 2012, losing to Sioux Falls Storm both years.[130]

Professional minor league baseball teams have played in Kennewick starting as early as 1950 with the Tri-City Braves. Other teams included the Tri-City Atoms, the Tri-City A's, the Tri-City Triplets, and the Tri-City Ports. All of these played at Sanders-Jacobs Field, which has since been demolished.[131] The Tri-City Posse preceded the Dust Devils playing at GESA Stadium. The city presently hosts the Atomic City Rollergirls, an amateur roller derby team.[132] Washington State University occasionally plays basketball at the Toyota Center.[133]

Media

[edit]

The only daily newspaper published in the Tri-Cities, the Tri-City Herald, is based in downtown Kennewick.[134] The Tri-Cities Journal of Business is a monthly print publication that is also located in Kennewick and also has a significant online presence. The Journal of Business also publishes the Senior Times, whose target demographic is Tri-Citians who are 60 years or older.[135][136] The city hosts Tú Decides, a bilingual weekly news publication that is both in print and online. Tú Decides is available in both Spanish and English.[137] Richland based Tumbleweird is an alternative newspaper published monthly that covers the Tri-Cities.[138]

Kennewick and the Tri-Cities share a television market with Yakima. Because of this, the local affiliates of major national networks are closely linked to the affiliates in Yakima. The studios of the Tri-Cities affiliates of NBC, ABC, and Fox are located in Kennewick. These are KNDU, KVEW, and KFFX respectively.[139][140][141] The CBS affiliate, KEPR is in Pasco.[142] KFFX does not produce any local programming, instead it acquires its news from KNDU and its parent station—KHQ in Spokane. Unlike the television market, the Tri-Cities and Yakima have separate radio markets. Sixteen radio stations are licensed in Kennewick by the FCC with others in nearby cities. There are several religious non-commercial radio stations with coverage in Kennewick. The school district operates a student-run station out of Tri-Tech.[143] NPR member stations Northwest Public Radio and Oregon Public Broadcasting also serve Kennewick.[144][145]

Parks and recreation

[edit]
A playground in Kennewick's Inspiration Park.

Kennewick's low precipitation values and mild-to-warm weather provide opportunities for outdoor recreation throughout much of the year. The city's Parks and Recreation Department operates 27 parks plus other facilities for the public to use. Many parks have shelters that can be reserved for events, with most of them offering playgrounds.[146] There are three athletic complexes throughout the city as well.[147] The Parks and Recreation Department also maintains several hiking and bike trails in the city, including the portion of the Sacagawea Heritage Trail that passes through Kennewick.[148]

The largest park in the city's system is Columbia Park, which is a riverfront area to the north of SR 240 from the Richland/Kennewick city line in the west to the Blue Bridge in the east. There are several boat launches here offering access to the Columbia River. Kayaking and canoeing is another popular water activity. The Sacagawea Heritage Trail, a bike path connecting all three of the Tri-Cities, passes through the entire length of the park. The most developed portion of the park is the east end, which has a veterans memorial, golf course, fishing pond, and a large playground.[149] Columbia Park hosts the HAPO Gold Cup, an annual hydroplane race.[150] The part of Richland adjacent to the park is Columbia Park West. Combined, the two form 450 acres (180 ha) of contiguous public recreation land along the river.[151][152]

In the early 2010s, the city built the 52 acres (21 ha) Southridge Sports and Events Complex in the quickly growing south end of town along US 395.[153] This property is primarily used for scheduled sporting events, such as baseball, basketball, and volleyball. That said, it also has recreational facilities that don't need to be reserved, such as a playground and open fields.[154] Kennewick was able to secure a piece of the World Trade Center from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which is located in the southeast corner of the complex as a memorial to the victims of the September 11 attacks in 2001.[155] The complex was considered complete when the historic carousel that the city restored was opened on the site.[156]

Government

[edit]

Kennewick is a code city that operates under the council–manager form of government. The city council has seven members, four of which are elected at-large while three are elected by the city's three electoral wards.[157] The mayor is selected by the councilmembers. Kennewick's city manager serves under the direction of the city council, and administers and coordinates the delivery of municipal services.[158]

The City of Kennewick is a full-service city, providing police, fire prevention and suppression, emergency medical response, water and sewer, parks, public works, planning and zoning, street maintenance, code enforcement, and general administrative services to residents. The city also operations a regional convention center.[159] According to the city's 2018 audited financial report, the cities total annual expenses are $96.6 million, of which $24.2 million is funded by sales tax, $13.1 million by Utility Tax and $13.0 million by property tax.[159]: 6 

The citizens of Kennewick are represented in the Washington Senate by Matt Boehnke in District 8, and Perry Dozier in District 16, and in the Washington House of Representatives by Stephanie Barnard and April Connors in District 8, and Mark Klicker and Skyler Rude in District 16.[160] At the national level, Kennewick and the rest of the Tri-Cities are part of the 4th congressional district, has been represented by Republican Dan Newhouse since 2015.[161][162]

Education

[edit]

Out of the city's residents who are 25 years or older, 88% hold a high school diploma (or equivalent) with 24% holding a bachelor's degree or better. These rates are higher than Pasco, but lower than Richland.[163] Kennewick does not have any post-secondary institutions, but is located near Columbia Basin College in Pasco and Washington State University Tri-Cities in Richland.[164][165]

Public schools located in the city are part of the Kennewick School District (KSD). The Kennewick School District has 17 elementary schools, five middle schools, three high schools serving over 18,000 students.[166] A vocational school is operated by KSD—with funding also coming from other local school districts—named the Tri-Tech Skills Center. Vocational programs at Tri-Tech include firefighting, radio broadcasting, and auto body technology.[167] Similarly, KSD contributes funding to Delta High School in Pasco, which is a STEM-focused school drawing students from around the Tri-Cities. KSD also operates Neil F. Lampson Stadium, located at Kennewick High School, which is used to host football and soccer games for the three high schools in town as well as for special events.[168] Lampson Stadium has a capacity of 6,800 people.[169]

There are five private schools for educating children in Kennewick. Many of these are run by Christian churches, including St. Joseph's Catholic School and Bethlehem Lutheran School.[170][171]

Infrastructure

[edit]

Transportation

[edit]
A divided highway approaching a dip in the road and an interchange near several apartment buildings
Looking eastbound on I-82 at the Badger Road interchange.

The nearest commercial airport to Kennewick is the Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco, with flights to several major international airports in the western part of the country. The busiest route is between Pasco and Seattle–Tacoma.[172] Pasco also has the station for both Amtrak's Portland-Chicago Empire Builder and Greyhound Lines.[173][174] The Port of Kennewick formerly operated Vista Field near the Toyota Center as a general aviation airport, but it closed at the end of 2013. The port plans to turn the land into a mixed-use development.[175]

Interstate 82 bypasses Kennewick to the south, connecting to Seattle via Interstate 90 and both Portland and Salt Lake City via Interstate 84. US 395 passes through town from south to north connecting to Spokane, also via Interstate 90. State Route 240 and State Route 397 also pass through Kennewick, but these mostly serve local traffic. SR 240 connects the Hanford Site to Richland and also travels across the Columbia River on the Blue Bridge to Pasco. SR 397 connects both Interstate 82 and Interstate 182 in Pasco (via the Cable Bridge) to Finley, providing a direct route for freight to go to a chemical plant there.[176]

Public transportation in Kennewick is provided by Ben Franklin Transit, which runs several bus routes that provide intra-city service as well as connections to Pasco and Richland. There are two transit centers in Kennewick: the Three Rivers Transit Center near the Toyota Center and the Dayton Transfer Point downtown.[177] The transit authority also operates a dial-a-ride service for disabled persons.[178]

Utilities

[edit]

Water and sewer services are provided by the city, with electricity coming from Benton Public Utility District. Natural gas comes from Cascade Natural Gas. Kennewick contracts with Waste Management for garbage and recycling collection. Many people use irrigation water sourced from nearby rivers to water their lawns. This system is separate from the water provided by the city. Most of Kennewick is part of the Kennewick Irrigation District, with parts of the east side of town being under the Columbia Irrigation District.[179]

Nearly 80% of Kennewick's energy is hydroelectric, with another 10% coming from nuclear. Altogether, less than 5% of the city's electricity is sourced from fossil fuels.[180]

Health care

[edit]

The largest hospital in Kennewick is Trios, located in the Southridge area. Kennewick General Hospital rebranded to Trios upon the opening of their Southridge hospital. Prior to this, the system's primary hospital was located near Kennewick High School on a campus that continues to be used for medical care. Trios also operates clinics and urgent care facilities throughout the Tri-Cities.[181] The main Trios Hospital has 111 beds for treating patients. Having many clinics around the Tri-Cities, Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland is another major health care provider in Kennewick with Miramar Health Center, a Yakima Valley focused provider, also having a clinic.[182]

Trios is a Level III trauma center and is the only hospital in the Tri-Cities that is a designated as a pediatric trauma center.[183] Kadlec is a Level II trauma center and often receives victims from car accidents.[184] Patients needing further care are often transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, which is the only Level I trauma center in the Pacific Northwest.[185] Children with significant medical needs are often treated at Seattle Children's. Seattle Children's operates a clinic in Kennewick.[186]

Notable people

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Kennewick, Washington

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Kennewick is a city in Benton County, southeastern Washington, United States, situated along the southwestern bank of the Columbia River opposite Pasco and southeast of Richland. It constitutes the largest component of the Tri-Cities metropolitan statistical area, encompassing Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland at the confluence of the Columbia, Snake, and Yakima rivers. Originally established as a railroad construction camp in 1884 and officially incorporated on February 5, 1904, the city has evolved from an agricultural outpost into a diversified economic hub influenced by regional energy production, manufacturing, and services. The local economy relies on key sectors including healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, construction, food processing, and research tied to the adjacent Hanford Site, a former nuclear production complex that continues to drive employment through cleanup and scientific operations at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Agriculture remains foundational, with surrounding farmlands yielding crops such as alfalfa, corn, beans, wheat, and grapes supporting a burgeoning wine industry. As of the 2020 census, Kennewick's population stood at 83,940, with subsequent estimates indicating growth to approximately 86,000 by 2023 amid steady annual increases driven by job opportunities and affordable living.

History

Prehistoric inhabitants and the Kennewick Man discovery

The nearly complete skeleton of an ancient individual, dubbed Kennewick Man, was discovered on July 28, 1996, in Columbia Park along the Columbia River in Kennewick, Washington, when two college students spotted a human skull eroding from the riverbank during a hydroplane race event. Subsequent recovery efforts yielded over 300 bones, representing about 90% of the skeleton, radiocarbon dated to approximately 9,300 years before present (circa 7300 BCE), making it one of the oldest and most intact prehistoric human remains found in the Pacific Northwest. The individual was a male, aged 35-42 at death, approximately 1.71 meters (5 feet 7 inches) tall, with a slender build evidenced by healed fractures to the forearm and ribs, and a stone projectile point lodged in the pelvis from an earlier injury, suggesting a hunter-gatherer lifestyle marked by physical trauma. Morphological analysis of the cranium and postcranial bones revealed features atypical of modern Native Americans in the Columbia Basin, including a narrow and high skull, prominent brow ridges, and dental morphology more closely resembling populations from Polynesia, Japan (such as the Ainu), or even archaic Europeans, prompting initial interpretations of possible non-Amerindian origins or distant migrations. These traits fueled debate over prehistoric population dynamics in the region, where archaeological evidence indicates human occupation along the Columbia River extending back over 11,000 years, with sites showing seasonal camps, fishing tools, and projectile points indicative of mobile Paleoindian groups exploiting salmon runs and big game. The discovery highlighted gaps in understanding early Holocene migrations, as Kennewick Man's robust physique and injury patterns aligned with a pre-agricultural, riverine adaptation rather than direct continuity with later Plateau cultures. The find precipitated a protracted legal conflict under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) of 1990, as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which controlled the federal land, custodied the remains and faced claims from five regional tribes—the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Nez Perce Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and Wanapum Band—for immediate repatriation based on asserted cultural affiliation and spiritual significance, opposing invasive scientific study. Eight anthropologists and the Asatru Folk Assembly sued in 1996 to secure access for nondestructive analysis, arguing that NAGPRA's repatriation provisions required evidence of lineal descent or cultural continuity, which preliminary morphology contradicted, and that withholding study impeded empirical reconstruction of human history. In 1997, the Corps denied study permits and prepared for repatriation; however, a 2004 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit vacated this, holding that NAGPRA applied only to remains affiliated with present-day tribes via reasonably traceable evidence, not presumptive claims, and remanded for further review under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, ultimately enabling limited scientific examination including CT scans and DNA extraction. Genomic sequencing of a hand bone fragment, reported in 2015, established Kennewick Man's Native American ancestry through mitochondrial DNA haplogroup X2a (rare in modern Eurasians but present in some Amerindians) and Y-chromosome haplogroup Q-M3 (common in Native American males), with autosomal DNA clustering him within the ancient Northern Amerindian lineage but at genetic distances from Columbia Basin tribes, showing closer affinities to groups like the Ojibwa or certain South American populations and shared ancient components explaining morphological similarities to Ainu or Polynesians via a common East Asian source rather than recent admixture. These results empirically refuted claims of direct tribal descent for repatriation purposes under NAGPRA's standards, as statistical models indicated no exclusive link to claimant groups and supported models of multiple migration waves into the Americas with subsequent regional population turnovers, challenging narratives of static cultural continuity in the Plateau region. Despite the data, the Corps repatriated the remains in 2017 to the five tribes for burial, concluding the case amid ongoing tensions between empirical paleogenomics and repatriation policies prioritizing tribal sovereignty over broader scientific access. The Kennewick Man controversy underscored systemic issues in NAGPRA implementation, where initial morphological evidence was overridden by genetics yet repatriation proceeded without resolving affiliation ambiguities, potentially limiting future analyses of similar finds.

Native American presence and early European contact

The area encompassing modern Kennewick was traditionally occupied by Sahaptin-speaking tribes, including the Wanapum and Yakama (also known as Yakima), who maintained seasonal villages along the Columbia River for fishing salmon runs, hunting game such as deer and elk, and gathering roots and berries. These groups relied on the river's fisheries as a primary food source, with oral traditions and ethnographic records documenting communal fishing at key sites like rapids and falls, supplemented by trade networks extending across the Plateau. Initial European contact occurred during the Lewis and Clark Expedition in October 1805, as the Corps of Discovery descended the Columbia River through the region. On October 17, William Clark recorded interactions with local Indians, noting their salmon-dependent lifestyle and collecting vocabulary from Wanapum and Yakama speakers near Priest Rapids, upstream of present-day Kennewick. The expedition's passage introduced early pressures, including trade goods exchange, but subsequent fur trading activities by entities like the Hudson's Bay Company accelerated disease transmission, with smallpox and other epidemics causing severe population declines across the Columbia Plateau tribes by the early 19th century. The 1855 Treaty of Walla Walla, negotiated between the U.S. government and tribes including the Yakama, resulted in the cession of vast territories encompassing the Kennewick area in exchange for a reservation, while reserving off-reservation fishing and hunting rights along the Columbia. The Wanapum, not direct signatories, faced indirect displacement as treaty provisions facilitated settler influx, compounding epidemic-driven losses that reduced Columbia River tribal populations by over 80% in some estimates from pre-contact levels due to introduced pathogens like malaria and measles rather than warfare alone.

Settlement and agricultural development (19th-early 20th century)

Non-Indian settlement in the Kennewick area began modestly in the 1880s, driven by the arrival of the Northern Pacific Railway, which established a construction camp in 1884 and completed a bridge across the Columbia River in 1887. This infrastructure facilitated initial development as a railroad town, though arid conditions limited permanent habitation to stock raising until irrigation efforts took hold. The townsite was surveyed as early as 1864 but gained traction post-railroad, with early amenities like a hotel and roundhouse supporting transient workers. Significant growth occurred after 1902, when the Northern Pacific Irrigation Company revived a failed 1892 project by the Yakima Irrigation and Improvement Company, delivering water via canals by 1903 and enabling the transformation of desert land into farmland. This private initiative capitalized on fertile Columbia Basin soils, attracting settlers for wheat cultivation in areas like Horse Heaven Hills and diversified fruit production, including strawberries that yielded seven carloads shipped in 1905. Incorporation followed on February 5, 1904, with a vote of 53 to 3, marking formal establishment amid booming agricultural prospects. By 1910, the population reached 1,219, reflecting influxes tied to irrigation-enabled farming of apples, cherries, peaches, asparagus, and grapes, with the first freight car of cherries shipped in 1914 and Concord grapes in 1916. These developments underscored economic incentives from rail access and water diversion, fostering resilience against environmental challenges like the Dust Bowl in the 1930s through crop diversification beyond wheat. Early 20th-century exports, such as 600 freight cars of fruit in 1919, highlighted the region's productivity prior to larger federal projects.

World War II and post-war industrial boom

The establishment of the Hanford Site in 1943, as a key component of the Manhattan Project for plutonium production, catalyzed rapid economic and demographic expansion in the Tri-Cities region, encompassing Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco. Selected for its proximity to the Columbia River for cooling reactors and isolation for secrecy, the site employed up to 50,000 construction workers during World War II, many of whom resided in or commuted through Kennewick despite its location peripheral to the core Richland-area facilities. This federal investment transformed the area's agrarian economy into one oriented toward defense and scientific industry, with Kennewick emerging as a supportive hub for housing, commerce, and services. Kennewick's population surged from 1,918 in 1940 to over 10,000 by 1950, directly attributable to the influx of Hanford-related workers and their families seeking affordable living options outside government-built Richland accommodations. Post-1945, the end of wartime secrecy revealed Hanford's role, spurring further infrastructure development including expanded housing tracts, roads, and utilities to accommodate ongoing plutonium production for Cold War stockpiles. This boom reflected causal drivers of federal demand for nuclear materials, yielding tangible gains in employment and urban amenities rather than mere dependency. The post-war era solidified Hanford's influence, providing stable jobs in energy production and research that averaged 16% of Tri-Cities employment through the late 20th century and fostering ancillary sectors like manufacturing and logistics. While subsequent environmental remediation efforts have incurred billions in cleanup costs due to radioactive legacies, the site's industrial output—enabling atomic deterrence and energy advancements—demonstrates the net causal benefits of strategic federal prioritization over exaggerated narratives of unmitigated harm.

Mid-20th century social challenges including racial restrictions

In the mid-20th century, Kennewick operated as a sundown town, with informal policies and a prominent sign on the Green Bridge warning non-white individuals, particularly African Americans, against remaining within city limits after dark; this practice persisted from the early 1940s until the early 1960s, rooted in community preferences for homogeneity during rapid wartime and postwar expansion driven by the nearby Hanford Site. Police enforced these restrictions by removing non-white persons found in the city after sunset, reflecting broader Tri-Cities attitudes that confined Black workers from Hanford to Pasco's Eastside despite labor shortages. Complementing sundown practices, racially restrictive covenants embedded in real estate deeds from the 1940s and 1950s explicitly barred non-white ownership or occupancy, affecting over 1,400 properties across the Tri-Cities and completely excluding African Americans from Kennewick homeownership until legal challenges arose. The U.S. Supreme Court's 1948 Shelley v. Kraemer decision rendered such covenants unenforceable, yet informal discrimination lingered, with 73% of Black households in substandard housing amid perceptions of economic competition from non-white Hanford migrants. These barriers began eroding in the 1960s due to federal civil rights enforcement and persistent labor demands at Hanford, which necessitated broader workforce integration; a targeted 1964 campaign by the Tri-Cities Congress of Racial Equality enabled the first Black family to rent in Kennewick, marking a shift from exclusionary norms. The 1968 Fair Housing Act further dismantled remaining restrictions, leading to their effective decline by the 1970s as market opportunities and legal compliance facilitated residential integration, evidenced by subsequent demographic diversification beyond prior zero-tolerance policies.

Late 20th century to present: Economic diversification and population growth

Beginning in the 1980s, Kennewick's economy diversified beyond its historical reliance on agriculture and the Hanford nuclear facility, with expansions into manufacturing, retail trade, and wine production. Manufacturing activities, including food and beverage processing, have gained prominence, contributing to local economic multipliers larger than many sectors. The region has positioned itself as Washington's Wine Capital, supported by initiatives like the Columbia Gardens Wine and Artisan Village, a public-private partnership revitalizing industrial land into a waterfront destination with wineries, artisan spaces, and recreational trails since its opening phases in the early 2020s. This diversification has coincided with sustained population growth, reaching 85,940 residents by 2025, with an annual growth rate of 0.46% and a 2.33% increase since the 2020 census. Infrastructure investments have facilitated this expansion, including the Oak Street Industrial Park, which provides incubator spaces for light industrial and business development outside city limits. In the 2020s, major projects such as the $75.2 million expansion of the Three Rivers Convention Center—breaking ground in March 2025 to add 115,000 square feet of exhibit halls, meeting rooms, and ballroom space—aim to attract larger conventions and boost tourism-related growth. Despite these advancements, rapid influx has strained housing availability, with a 2022 city market report highlighting pressures from strong economic and population growth projected to intensify over the subsequent five years. Planners have identified needs for additional units to accommodate a state-estimated population target of around 109,000, amid affordability challenges. Overall, the diversified economy, including manufacturing, retail, medical services, and emerging tourism sectors like wine and conventions, has fostered prosperity, supported by private sector initiatives and regional development authorities.

Geography

Location and physical features

Kennewick is situated in Benton County in southeastern Washington, at coordinates approximately 46°12′N 119°10′W. The city occupies 29.2 square miles along the southwest bank of the Columbia River. It lies within the arid high desert of the Columbia Basin, positioned east of the Cascade Mountains and adjacent to the Hanford Site nuclear complex. The local topography includes prominent bluffs along the Columbia River waterfront, transitioning to gently sloping irrigated plains characteristic of the Columbia Plateau basalt formations. These features are shaped by the river's course and historical volcanic activity, with flood management supported by upstream structures like the McNary Dam, constructed between 1947 and completed in 1954. As a core component of the Tri-Cities metropolitan area—encompassing Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland—the city contributes to a regional population exceeding 322,000 as of 2025, promoting interconnected commerce across a relatively low-density urban landscape.

Climate and environmental factors

Kennewick features a cold semi-arid climate classified as Köppen BSk, marked by hot, dry summers and cold, occasionally snowy winters. The average high temperature in July reaches 92°F, while the January low averages 28°F, with extremes rarely exceeding 102°F or falling below 13°F. Annual precipitation totals approximately 7.8 inches, concentrated primarily during the winter months from October to June, with November seeing the highest monthly average of about 1.0 inch. The Columbia River, bordering the city to the east, exerts a moderating influence on local temperatures by providing a thermal buffer that tempers summer heat and winter cold compared to inland areas farther from the waterway. This proximity contributes to relatively low humidity levels year-round, averaging around 50-60% in summer, and supports the region's low incidence of severe thunderstorms despite occasional dust storms associated with the arid conditions. Environmental considerations include ongoing monitoring related to the nearby Hanford Site, a former nuclear production complex approximately 20 miles north, where legacy contamination from plutonium processing has affected groundwater with radionuclides such as tritium and iodine-129. The U.S. Department of Energy and Washington State Department of Ecology oversee extensive remediation efforts, including pump-and-treat systems that have processed over 34 billion gallons of contaminated groundwater since the 1990s, effectively halting plume migration toward the Columbia River in monitored areas. Annual environmental surveillance reports confirm that surface water and air quality in Kennewick remain within safe limits, with no detectable health impacts from site-related releases in recent decades. Long-term empirical records from the National Weather Service and Western Regional Climate Center indicate minimal shifts in temperature and precipitation patterns, with average annual temperatures holding steady around 54°F and precipitation varying within historical norms of 7-9 inches, without evidence of accelerating extremes. These stable conditions underpin the local agricultural economy, particularly wine grape and fruit production, and facilitate year-round outdoor recreation along the riverfront.

Demographics

Population dynamics and census data

The United States Census Bureau recorded Kennewick's population at 83,921 as of April 1, 2020, reflecting a 13.5% increase from the 73,917 residents enumerated in the 2010 Census. This growth rate exceeded the statewide average of 12.1% over the same decade, driven primarily by net domestic migration rather than natural increase. Population density stood at 2,745 persons per square mile in 2020, calculated over 30.56 square miles of land area, indicating suburban-style expansion with ample space relative to denser urban centers like Seattle. Recent estimates from the Census Bureau place the 2023 population at 85,155, with projections for 2025 reaching approximately 85,940 amid steady annual gains of 0.4-0.5%. In-state migration has fueled this trend, with inflows from higher-cost areas like the Puget Sound region motivated by job availability in the Tri-Cities' energy and agricultural sectors, alongside housing affordability—median home values in Kennewick remain about 40% below Seattle's. Net migration accounted for over 75% of Washington's overall population gains in recent years, a pattern mirrored locally without reliance on international inflows.

Socioeconomic characteristics

The racial and ethnic composition of Kennewick reflects a predominantly White population, with approximately 67% identifying as White alone in 2020 Census data, alongside a significant Hispanic or Latino segment comprising 31% of residents, often overlapping with the "other race" category due to self-reporting practices. This Hispanic share has grown substantially, with Benton County—encompassing Kennewick—seeing a 51% increase in its Hispanic population from 2010 to 2020, primarily driven by labor migration tied to agricultural opportunities rather than policy-driven resettlement. Smaller proportions include 2.3% Black or African American, 1.9% Asian, and 1.1% American Indian or Alaska Native, contributing to modest overall diversity amid the dominant European-descended majority. Median household income in Kennewick reached $72,867 in 2023 per American Community Survey estimates, reflecting earnings from a mix of skilled trades and service roles that sustain family-oriented living without reliance on extensive public assistance. This figure trails Washington's statewide median of $94,952 but aligns with patterns in comparable inland communities emphasizing practical employment over high-cost urban sectors. The poverty rate hovered at 13.9% in 2023, concentrated among non-family households and younger demographics, yet lower than rates in many diversifying urban areas, underscoring resident adaptability in a locale where economic participation correlates directly with outcomes. Educational attainment among adults aged 25 and older stands at 24.9% with a bachelor's degree or higher, below the state average of 39% but sufficient for a technical labor force that prioritizes vocational training and on-the-job expertise over advanced academia. High school completion rates exceed 85%, with associate degrees common at around 10-12%, fostering self-reliance in industries demanding applied knowledge. Household structures emphasize family units, with 57% of households headed by married couples and 68% overall classified as families averaging 2-3 members, patterns that correlate with lower single-parent poverty risks compared to national urban trends. Non-family households, at 32%, include working singles but show higher income stability through dual earners, reinforcing a socioeconomic fabric geared toward merit-driven advancement rather than institutional dependencies.

Economy

Key industries and employment sectors

Agriculture remains a foundational industry in Kennewick, with significant production of wheat, apples, cherries, and grapes supporting both direct farming and downstream processing. Food processing has expanded from this agricultural base, employing workers in facilities that handle crops like concord grapes for juice and wine precursors, contributing to the sector's role as a cornerstone of the local economy. Manufacturing encompasses food-related operations alongside specialized production, including medical equipment, with Benton County seeing a 16% increase in manufacturing employment between recent benchmark periods. The sector's total goods-producing jobs, including manufacturing at approximately 7,800 positions, underscore productivity in value-added activities tied to regional resources. The Hanford Site's nuclear legacy sustains employment through subcontractors focused on energy production and nuclear-fuel fabrication, integrating high-skill technical roles into the industrial fabric. Complementing these, the Columbia Valley's wine industry features numerous award-winning wineries in the Tri-Cities area, driving innovation in viticulture and processing with outputs like those from Kiona Vineyards exceeding 400,000 cases annually. Retail trade and logistics benefit from Kennewick's position within the Tri-Cities network, facilitating distribution along Interstate 82 and supporting service-oriented employment in a diversified private sector totaling around 99,600 non-agricultural jobs. Prior to 2025 economic pressures, the area's unemployment rate stabilized near 4%, reflecting resilient demand across these core sectors. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kennewick-Pasco-Richland metropolitan area's economy stabilized with expansions in health care, education, and construction sectors through 2023, contributing to a 2.4% real GDP growth rate for the year. Economic indicators in 2024 reflected recovery tempered by slowdowns, including a modest 0.41% rise in citywide sales and use tax revenue over 2023 levels, alongside significant deceleration in job creation across the greater Tri-Cities region. Nonfarm employment grew 1.4% from September 2023 to September 2024, yet by August 2025, total nonfarm jobs reached 128,500, down 0.5% from the prior year. Private-sector initiatives demonstrated resilience amid these trends, notably HAPO Community Credit Union's 2024 acquisition of Community First Bank, which bolstered its assets to $2.9 billion and prompted a $10 million business hub development on Clearwater Avenue in Kennewick for expanded commercial lending. This followed by a $7.6 million office complex expansion to accommodate growing regional operations. Municipal planning in 2025 emphasized infrastructure to underpin sustained growth, with city council deliberations on up to $230 million in bonds for projects including a $36 million new city hall, swimming pool reconstruction, and Fire Station 6 construction, prioritizing public safety and administrative efficiency. Such localized investments, reliant on private-sector momentum rather than expansive state interventions, have sustained Kennewick's appeal for business relocation despite broader Washington trends of rising operational costs and regulatory hurdles.

Government and Politics

Municipal governance

Kennewick employs a council-manager form of government, in which a seven-member city council appoints the city manager to serve as chief executive, overseeing the administration of city departments including public works, finance, and community development. The council establishes municipal policies, approves budgets, and represents resident interests, with members elected to staggered four-year terms. The mayor, selected by fellow council members from among their ranks, presides over meetings and performs ceremonial duties for a two-year term but holds no veto power or separate administrative authority. As of 2024, Erin Erdman serves as city manager, managing operational efficiency across divisions such as utilities and emergency services. The city's biennial budget for 2025-2026 totals $455.5 million across all funds, including allocations for general operations, streets, and capital projects, with the finance division responsible for fiscal controls, treasury functions, and debt administration to maintain accountability in expenditures. Growth management is guided by periodic updates to the Comprehensive Plan, mandated under Washington's Growth Management Act to align with state requirements on land use, housing, transportation, and utilities while accommodating projected population increases. The current update process, extending planning to 2046, incorporates community surveys conducted in June 2025 and addresses sustainable expansion through elements like capital facilities planning and climate resiliency measures.

Political composition and recent shifts

Benton County, which includes Kennewick as its largest city, exhibits a consistent Republican voting majority in national and local elections. In the 2020 presidential election, 58.6% of voters supported the Republican candidate, compared to 37.6% for the Democrat. This pattern persisted in the 2024 presidential contest, where Donald Trump secured a strong victory in the county amid Eastern Washington's broader conservative tilt, reflecting voter priorities on economic issues, limited government, and traditional values. The Kennewick School Board underwent a notable conservative shift in the November 2023 elections, with voters favoring candidates critical of state-level educational mandates and emphasizing local control and parental involvement. Incumbents and challengers aligned with right-leaning platforms, such as opposition to expansive state interventions in curriculum and policies, prevailed in key races, signaling resistance to progressive directives from Olympia. Recent local political dynamics highlight tensions over gender policies in education and sports. In July 2024, the school board passed a resolution condemning the participation of transgender individuals in women's athletics, citing fairness concerns under Title IX. This stance escalated in March 2025 when the board filed a federal Title IX complaint against Washington state officials, challenging policies that permit biological males identifying as female to compete in girls' sports as violations of federal sex discrimination protections. By October 2025, the board endorsed a resolution supporting an "open" category for transgender athletes to preserve competitive equity in sex-segregated divisions, aligning with broader efforts to counter state athletic association rules. While pockets of opposition exist, including minority-led "No Kings" protests in Kennewick against perceived federal actions under the Trump administration in 2025, these events drew limited turnout compared to the area's dominant conservative electorate. Such demonstrations, organized by progressive groups, underscore federalism debates but remain outliers in a region prioritizing policies that enhance parental rights in schooling and resist expansive regulatory frameworks from state or national levels.

Culture and Society

Tourism and recreational attractions

Kennewick's tourism centers on the Columbia River, which supports boating, fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding activities accessible via public launches in Columbia Park. Columbia Park, a 400-acre riverfront area, includes a family fishing pond stocked for juvenile anglers and individuals with disabilities, boat ramps, disc golf courses, picnic facilities, and an aquatic playground, drawing visitors for outdoor recreation year-round. The city's location in Washington wine country enhances its appeal, with Badger Mountain Vineyard offering organic wine tastings on slopes overlooking the Tri-Cities since 1990, and proximity to the Red Mountain American Viticultural Area (AVA) enabling trails through vineyards known for Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah production. Visitors access these via scenic drives or events like wine tours, contributing to regional draws without relying on extensive public funding. Recreational sites like the Gesa Carousel of Dreams and 9/11 Memorial in downtown Kennewick complement river and wine attractions, supporting family-oriented tourism. In the broader Tri-Cities area including Kennewick, visitor spending reached $643.4 million in 2024, generating $77 million in tax revenue and sustaining 5,886 jobs through market-driven activities such as river recreation and events.

Sports and community events

Kennewick serves as home to the Tri-City Americans, a junior ice hockey team competing in the Western Hockey League, with games held at the Toyota Center arena. The facility at 7000 West Grandridge Boulevard accommodates thousands of spectators and hosts regular season matches from October to March, contributing to regional sports engagement. Local youth participate through recreational programs at venues like the Southridge Sports and Events Complex, a 52-acre site featuring lighted fields for baseball, softball, and soccer, which draws participants from surrounding areas and promotes discipline via structured leagues. High school athletics thrive in Kennewick, with schools in the Kennewick School District fielding teams in sports such as football, basketball, volleyball, cross country, and swimming, competing within the Mid-Columbia Conference. Kennewick High School, for instance, offers varsity programs that emphasize teamwork and physical fitness, with seasons spanning fall through spring. The Kennewick Parks and Recreation Department organizes youth basketball leagues for grades 1-6 and adult co-ed softball divisions across spring, summer, and fall, fostering community bonds through volunteer coaching and family involvement. Annual community gatherings, including Numerica Family Day in July with interactive activities for all ages, encourage local pride and participation. Events like regional races and fairs in the Tri-Cities area further unite residents, relying on volunteer efforts to sustain traditions of communal recreation.

Local media and cultural institutions

The principal local newspaper, the Tri-City Herald, delivers daily coverage of Kennewick and the Tri-Cities region, including municipal affairs, Hanford Site operations, and archaeological developments, with a circulation exceeding 20,000 as of recent audits. KNDU-TV (channel 25), an NBC affiliate based in Kennewick, airs local newscasts six days a week, emphasizing verifiable reporting on regional environmental monitoring at Hanford, where it has highlighted empirical data on groundwater remediation progress since 2010, contrasting with broader media tendencies toward unsubstantiated alarmism. The Museum at Keewaydin, managed by the East Benton County Historical Society and located at 205 West Keewaydin Drive, maintains collections of local artifacts, including petroglyphs excavated from the Columbia River in 1939, to document pre-contact indigenous presence and early settlement history without interpretive overlays favoring modern political narratives. Complementing this, the REACH Museum in nearby Richland—serving Kennewick residents through regional exhibits—presents permanent galleries on the Manhattan Project's empirical timeline, from uranium processing initiation in 1943 to postwar Cold War applications, drawing on declassified documents and site-specific data to underscore technological achievements amid Hanford's legacy. These institutions facilitate public access to primary-source materials on archaeology, such as Columbia Basin stratigraphy, countering repatriation-driven restrictions seen in cases like the 1996 Kennewick Man discovery, where initial morphological analysis suggested non-local affinities until 2015 genomic sequencing affirmed ties to modern Native populations, enabling balanced scientific discourse. Community theaters, including The Mystery Theatre at 7425 West Clearwater Avenue and Vibe Music and Performing Arts Center, stage original and classic productions for audiences of up to 200, fostering local artistic output rooted in narrative traditions rather than subsidized ideological themes. Such venues, operational since the 2010s, preserve performative heritage through volunteer-driven efforts, with annual outputs of 4–6 shows documented in regional arts directories.

Education

K-12 public education system

The Kennewick School District, the primary public K-12 system serving the city, enrolls approximately 19,000 students across 33 schools, including 17 elementary, five middle, and seven high schools, with a student-teacher ratio of about 18:1. The district operates as the largest in southeastern Washington, emphasizing core academic standards amid a diverse student body where roughly 50% are minorities and 42% qualify for free or reduced-price meals. District performance metrics include an average four-year graduation rate of 79%, with individual high schools ranging from 83% at Hanford High to 86% at Kennewick High, placing some outcomes below the state average of approximately 86% while others align closer to it. State assessments show 33% proficiency in math and reading, reflecting challenges in closing achievement gaps despite efforts to prioritize measurable academic progress over non-core initiatives. Curriculum initiatives feature a strong emphasis on STEM programs, including specialized pathways in agriculture science, computer science, and engineering, designed to align with the Tri-Cities' economy driven by energy sector jobs and national laboratories like Hanford. Schools such as Southridge High incorporate STEM-focused curricula to foster problem-solving skills relevant to regional high-tech employment opportunities. Since a 2023 election that shifted the board toward conservative majorities, policies have prioritized academics and merit-based evaluations, including resistance to state mandates on social issues. The board unanimously adopted a 2025 resolution supporting open athletic categories to protect female sports participation, and filed federal Title IX complaints against state policies allowing biological males in girls' competitions and facilities, arguing these undermine equal opportunities for female students.

Access to higher education and vocational training

Residents of Kennewick have convenient access to Columbia Basin College (CBC), a public community college located in adjacent Pasco, Washington, approximately 5 miles away via local highways and bridges connecting the Tri-Cities area. CBC provides associate degrees, certificates, and vocational training programs tailored to regional industries, including career-technical education in areas such as power-plant operations, nuclear waste management, and electrical apprenticeships. The college's Pasco campus at 2600 N. 20th Avenue hosts these offerings, with additional apprenticeship sites like the Columbia Basin Electrical Training Alliance directly in Kennewick at 142 N. Edison Street. CBC maintains transfer pathways and partnerships with Washington State University Tri-Cities (WSU Tri-Cities), situated in nearby Richland, enabling seamless progression to bachelor's degrees without leaving the region. WSU Tri-Cities, located at 2710 University Drive, offers specialized programs such as viticulture and enology, aligning with the area's growing wine industry through hands-on training at the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates WSU Wine Science Center. Approximately 35% of CBC students complete four-year degrees locally via these collaborations, facilitating workforce integration in sectors like agriculture and energy. Vocational programs at these institutions demonstrate strong alignment with Tri-Cities employers, particularly in nuclear-related fields due to the proximity of the Hanford Site; CBC's curriculum covers nuclear systems math, science, and waste disposal, contributing to high placement rates in technical roles. This local accessibility supports resident retention by minimizing relocation needs for skill development, with WSU Tri-Cities' viticulture program recently endorsed as a state workforce initiative in July 2025 to address industry demands. Empirical data from regional reports indicate these options enhance self-reliance by bridging education to employment in energy and agribusiness without broader out-migration.

Infrastructure

Transportation networks

Kennewick's primary highway connections include Interstate 82 (I-82), which traverses the city eastward toward Yakima and westward to connect with U.S. Route 395, and State Route 240 (SR 240), which links Kennewick to Richland and the Hanford Site to the north. These routes form part of the regional freight and commuter corridors, with I-82 serving heavy truck traffic and SR 240 providing access to industrial areas along the Columbia River. The Blue Bridge, carrying SR 240 over the Columbia River, connects Kennewick directly to Pasco, facilitating daily cross-river travel. The Tri-Cities Airport (PSC), situated in adjacent Pasco, serves Kennewick residents with nonstop commercial flights to ten destinations, including Seattle, Denver, Salt Lake City, and Los Angeles, operated by airlines such as Alaska Airlines and Delta. This regional hub enhances connectivity for business and leisure travel, with flights supporting the area's economy tied to Hanford and agriculture. For freight, the Port of Kennewick utilizes the Columbia-Snake River System, a 465-mile inland waterway that moves commodities like grain and machinery by barge to Pacific ports. Public transportation is provided by Ben Franklin Transit, which operates local bus routes within Kennewick, such as Routes 1 and 3 running every 15 minutes, and intercity services connecting to Richland, Pasco, and West Richland. These routes, including express options like Route 2X, support commutes to employment hubs like Hanford, where highway access via SR 240 enables relatively efficient travel despite peak-period delays averaging under 30 minutes for most Tri-Cities segments. Pedestrian and cycling infrastructure includes the Sacagawea Heritage Trail, a 23-mile paved path along the Columbia River through Kennewick, and the 4.5-mile Columbia Park Trail, promoting active transportation with low-traffic riverfront access.

Utilities and public services

The City of Kennewick's Utility Services Division manages potable water supply, drawing primarily from Ranney Collector 4 and 5 wells that tap into the Columbia River-influenced aquifer, with supplemental surface water extracted directly from the Columbia River during high-demand seasons such as summer. The division oversees water treatment, distribution via an extensive network, wastewater collection, and treatment at municipal facilities to ensure compliance with state standards, though periodic detections of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) above limits have prompted monitoring and mitigation efforts. Electricity distribution falls under Benton Public Utility District (Benton PUD), a customer-owned cooperative serving over 55,000 accounts in Kennewick and surrounding Benton County areas, with power sourced predominantly from hydroelectric facilities in the Federal Columbia River Power System (approximately 80% of total supply) and supplemented by nuclear generation and limited wind contracts for over 93% non-emitting output. This diversified, hydro-heavy portfolio, bolstered by public investment in renewables and baseload nuclear, maintains system reliability during regional growth while keeping residential rates among the lowest in Washington through nonprofit operations. Waste management operates via a city contract with Waste Management Inc., delivering weekly curbside garbage collection, recycling pickup, and access to the Kennewick Transfer Station for residents and businesses, emphasizing diversion from landfills through sorted materials handling. Complementing core utilities, Benton PUD's broadband service—deployed since 2001 with more than 500 miles of fiber-optic infrastructure—facilitates high-speed internet expansion to support economic development and remote work demands in a growing population. Stormwater management, handled municipally, includes drain maintenance and runoff control to mitigate flooding risks in this arid, river-adjacent locale. These hybrid public-private frameworks prioritize affordability and resilience, adapting to urban expansion without compromising service continuity.

Healthcare facilities

Kadlec Regional Medical Center, a 270-bed facility located in nearby Richland and operated by Providence, serves as the primary acute care hospital for Kennewick residents, offering emergency services, surgical procedures, and specialized treatments including a level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and advanced heart and vascular care. The center, rated high performing in 10 adult procedures and conditions by U.S. News & World Report, handles a significant volume of cases from the Tri-Cities area, with Kadlec Clinic locations in Kennewick providing primary care, internal medicine, and family medicine for patients across all ages. Trios Health, based in Kennewick, operates as a key local provider with an emergency department, inpatient services, and outpatient clinics focused on family medicine and general care. Specialized oncology services are available through Kadlec Clinic Hematology and Oncology, which includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and integration with the Tri-Cities Cancer Center for comprehensive cancer management encompassing hematology, surgical specialties, and palliative care. Established in 1944 to support Hanford Site workers and their families during the Manhattan Project era, Kadlec's infrastructure has historically addressed occupational health needs in a region with documented radiation exposure risks, contributing to sustained emphasis on cancer diagnostics and treatment amid elevated local incidence rates linked to the site's legacy. Access to care in Kennewick involves challenges such as three- to six-month wait times for new primary care patients at Kadlec clinics, reflecting broader provider shortages in the Tri-Cities. Community health centers like Tri-Cities Community Health and Miramar Health Center supplement services for underserved populations, offering low-cost primary and preventive options. Geriatric-focused clinics address the needs of an aging population, with Trios Geriatrics providing chronic disease management, dementia screening, and end-of-life care tailored to seniors. Kadlec's senior clinic in Richland extends consultative services for older adults, including assessments for chronic illnesses and social issues, while local initiatives through Benton-Franklin Health District promote healthy aging via counseling and caregiver support. Primary care providers emphasize preventive measures, with Trios Health and Tri-Cities Primary Care offering annual screenings, vaccinations, and wellness check-ups to mitigate chronic conditions before escalation. Benton-Franklin Health District coordinates community efforts in chronic disease prevention through education and behavior change programs, prioritizing evidence-based interventions over expansive centralized models.

Notable Residents

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