Benton County, Washington | |
|---|---|
 Benton County Courthouse | |
 Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofWashington | |
| Coordinates:46°15′N119°30′W / 46.25°N 119.5°W /46.25; -119.5 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Washington |
| Founded | March 8, 1905 |
| Named after | Thomas Hart Benton |
| Seat | Prosser |
| Largest city | Kennewick |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,760 sq mi (4,600 km2) |
| • Land | 1,700 sq mi (4,400 km2) |
| • Water | 60 sq mi (160 km2) 3.4% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 206,873 |
• Estimate (2024) | 218,190 |
| • Density | 110/sq mi (42/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| Congressional district | 4th |
| Website | bentoncountywa |
Benton County is acounty in the south-central portion of theU.S. state ofWashington. As of the2020 census, its population was 206,873.[1] Thecounty seat isProsser,[2] and its most populous city isKennewick. TheColumbia River demarcates the county's north, south, and east boundaries.
Benton County was created from what were then larger versions ofKlickitat County andYakima County on March 8, 1905,[3] and was named afterMissouri statesmanThomas Hart Benton.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,760 square miles (4,600 km2), of which 1,700 square miles (4,400 km2) is land and 60 square miles (160 km2) (3.4%) is water.[4] The highest point of land elevation within the county is the summit of Rattlesnake Mountain at 3,527 feet; and the lowest point of land elevation is along the southwestern shore of Crow Butte at 265 feet (fluctuates due to level of Columbia River).
Interstate 82
Interstate 182
U.S. Route 12
U.S. Route 395
Washington State Route 14
Washington State Route 240
Washington State Route 397| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 7,937 | — | |
| 1920 | 10,903 | 37.4% | |
| 1930 | 10,952 | 0.4% | |
| 1940 | 12,053 | 10.1% | |
| 1950 | 51,370 | 326.2% | |
| 1960 | 62,070 | 20.8% | |
| 1970 | 67,540 | 8.8% | |
| 1980 | 109,444 | 62.0% | |
| 1990 | 112,560 | 2.8% | |
| 2000 | 142,475 | 26.6% | |
| 2010 | 175,177 | 23.0% | |
| 2020 | 206,873 | 18.1% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 218,190 | [5] | 5.5% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[6] 1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8] 1990–2000[9] 2010–2020[1] | |||
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 206,873. Of the residents, 26.2% were under the age of 18 and 15.7% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 36.3 years. For every 100 females there were 98.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.9 males. 87.9% of residents lived in urban areas and 12.1% lived in rural areas.[10][11][12]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[13] | Pop 2010[14] | Pop 2020[15] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 116,457 | 130,437 | 135,718 | 81.74% | 74.46% | 65.60% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 1,227 | 2,031 | 2,621 | 0.86% | 1.16% | 1.27% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 964 | 1,280 | 1,191 | 0.68% | 0.73% | 0.58% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 3,104 | 4,621 | 6,244 | 2.18% | 2.64% | 3.02% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 126 | 221 | 536 | 0.09% | 0.13% | 0.26% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 193 | 260 | 1,049 | 0.14% | 0.15% | 0.51% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 2,598 | 3,631 | 10,175 | 1.82% | 2.07% | 4.92% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 17,806 | 32,696 | 49,339 | 12.50% | 18.66% | 23.85% |
| Total | 142,475 | 175,177 | 206,873 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
The racial makeup of the county was 70.6% White, 1.4%Black or African American, 1.0%American Indian and Alaska Native, 3.1%Asian, 11.9% from some other race, and 11.7% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 23.8% of the population.[12]
There were 76,369 households in the county, of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 23.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[11]
There were 80,076 housing units, of which 4.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 67.9% were owner-occupied and 32.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.8%.[11]
As of the2010 census, there were 175,177 people, 65,304 households, and 45,699 families residing in the county.[16] The population density was 103.0 inhabitants per square mile (39.8/km2). There were 68,618 housing units at an average density of 40.4 per square mile (15.6/km2).[17] The racial makeup of the county was 82.4% white, 2.7% Asian, 1.3% black or African American, 0.9% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 9.0% from other races, and 3.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 18.7% of the population.[16] In terms of ancestry, 22.3% wereGerman, 13.4% wereEnglish, 12.5% wereIrish, and 7.9% wereAmerican.[18]
Of the 65,304 households, 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.0% were non-families, and 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.17. The median age was 35.6 years.[16]
The median income for a household in the county was $57,354 and the median income for a family was $69,834. Males had a median income of $57,496 versus $36,575 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,161. About 9.3% of families and 12.7% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 19.3% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.[19]
As of the2000 census, there were 142,475 people, 52,866 households, and 38,063 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 84 people per square mile (32 people/km2). There were 55,963 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile (13/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 86.2%White, 0.9%Black orAfrican American, 0.8%Native American, 2.2%Asian, 0.1%Pacific Islander, 7.0% fromother races, and 2.7% from two or more races. 12.5% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 18.1% were ofGerman, 11.0%English, 9.1%United States or American and 8.4%Irish ancestry. 86.4% spokeEnglish and 10.3%Spanish as their first language.
There were 52,866 households, out of which 38.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.60% weremarried couples living together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.00% were non-families. 23.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.17.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 29.70% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 10.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 98.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $47,044, and the median income for a family was $54,146. Males had a median income of $45,556 versus $27,232 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $21,301. About 7.80% of families and 10.30% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 14.30% of those under age 18 and 6.90% of those age 65 or over.
Benton County is one of the 33 counties in Washington that operates under the non-chartered "commission" or "plural executive" form of government. Three commissioners share administrative aegis with several other partisan officials independently elected to four-year terms of office. Judges of the superior court are also independently elected. In Benton County, the commissioners appoint a county administrator to oversee all departments that do not fall under other elected officials.
The County government is seated in Prosser, with many departments having satellite and auxiliary offices and facilities in Richland, Kennewick, and elsewhere.[citation needed] An attempt to move the county seat from Prosser to Kennewick resulted in a November 1984ballot measure, which had 54.4 percent approval but failed to meet the required 60 percent threshold.[20]
There are five incorporated cities within Benton County. The two larger cities—Kennewick and Richland—employ the "council-manager" form of government where the mayor is elected from the city council and serves a more ceremonial role, whereby direct administration of the city is the responsibility of the city manager. The three smaller cities—Benton City, Prosser, and West Richland—use the "mayor-council" form of government where the mayor is the chief administrator of the city and is directly elected by the citizens. In Washington, a majority of cities use the mayor-council form, but the council-manager structure is common among medium-sized municipalities.
Numerous special purpose districts with varying degrees of taxing and administrative authority such as port authorities and school districts oversee local responsibilities that are not a part of county or city governance.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1908 | 891 | 57.74% | 465 | 30.14% | 187 | 12.12% |
| 1912 | 728 | 19.11% | 1,238 | 32.50% | 1,843 | 48.39% |
| 1916 | 1,460 | 45.43% | 1,351 | 42.03% | 403 | 12.54% |
| 1920 | 2,001 | 52.01% | 975 | 25.34% | 871 | 22.64% |
| 1924 | 1,812 | 45.33% | 437 | 10.93% | 1,748 | 43.73% |
| 1928 | 2,650 | 69.94% | 1,080 | 28.50% | 59 | 1.56% |
| 1932 | 1,694 | 36.85% | 2,633 | 57.28% | 270 | 5.87% |
| 1936 | 1,610 | 35.56% | 2,402 | 53.06% | 515 | 11.38% |
| 1940 | 2,670 | 51.96% | 2,414 | 46.97% | 55 | 1.07% |
| 1944 | 3,905 | 47.79% | 4,233 | 51.80% | 34 | 0.42% |
| 1948 | 5,852 | 40.45% | 8,458 | 58.46% | 157 | 1.09% |
| 1952 | 13,412 | 57.40% | 9,889 | 42.33% | 63 | 0.27% |
| 1956 | 13,807 | 53.99% | 11,760 | 45.99% | 4 | 0.02% |
| 1960 | 13,797 | 52.37% | 12,518 | 47.52% | 29 | 0.11% |
| 1964 | 11,708 | 41.27% | 16,650 | 58.68% | 14 | 0.05% |
| 1968 | 14,659 | 51.29% | 10,878 | 38.06% | 3,042 | 10.64% |
| 1972 | 18,517 | 61.02% | 9,824 | 32.37% | 2,005 | 6.61% |
| 1976 | 22,135 | 63.95% | 11,306 | 32.67% | 1,170 | 3.38% |
| 1980 | 28,728 | 64.68% | 11,561 | 26.03% | 4,124 | 9.29% |
| 1984 | 32,307 | 69.28% | 13,784 | 29.56% | 540 | 1.16% |
| 1988 | 28,688 | 65.18% | 14,817 | 33.66% | 511 | 1.16% |
| 1992 | 22,883 | 43.50% | 16,459 | 31.29% | 13,260 | 25.21% |
| 1996 | 26,664 | 49.56% | 20,783 | 38.63% | 6,356 | 11.81% |
| 2000 | 38,367 | 64.18% | 19,512 | 32.64% | 1,900 | 3.18% |
| 2004 | 44,350 | 66.31% | 21,549 | 32.22% | 987 | 1.48% |
| 2008 | 45,345 | 62.19% | 26,288 | 36.05% | 1,278 | 1.75% |
| 2012 | 49,461 | 62.17% | 28,145 | 35.38% | 1,953 | 2.45% |
| 2016 | 47,194 | 56.46% | 26,360 | 31.53% | 10,038 | 12.01% |
| 2020 | 60,365 | 58.59% | 38,706 | 37.57% | 3,962 | 3.85% |
| 2024 | 59,555 | 59.15% | 37,662 | 37.40% | 3,476 | 3.45% |
Benton County is serviced by six public school districts and a few smaller private schools.
Delta High School, located in Pasco, is a public high school specializing in the "STEM" fields of study (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). Delta High School is a collaborative venture of the Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland school districts, and is located in neighboringFranklin County, Washington.Prosser High School is located much closer to the county seat of Benton County.
Two public college branch campuses are located in Benton County, each in Richland:
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The Tri-City area's climate and distance to other metropolitan areas has made it a destination for tourism, particularly in outdoor recreation.
Benton County is home to seven publicly accessible golf courses:
A private golf and country club, Meadow Springs, is also located in Richland.
TheTri-City Americans are amajor junior hockey team and member of theWestern Hockey League. They play at theToyota Center in Kennewick. The Americans began as the Calgary Buffaloes in 1966, and after stints in Billings, Nanaimo, and New Westminster, moved to the Tri-Cities for the 1988–89 season where they were rebranded as the "Americans".
Public lands acreage account for about one-third of the total land area of Benton County. The most significant holding is theUnited States Department of Energy'sHanford Site, most of which has restricted public access. Hanford is a hub for "nuclear tourism" due to its role in theManhattan Project andCold War. Part of the Hanford Site acreage is also part of theHanford Reach National Monument, which was established in 2000 by a presidential proclamation. Like with most of the rest of Hanford, most of the National Monument within Benton County is restricted from general public use.[25][page needed]
Other federal land holdings in the county include small areas managed by theBureau of Land Management, notably an aggregation along the Horse Heaven Hills south of Benton City that is popular with hikers; theU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-owned islands and shorelands that are parts of the Umatilla and McNary National Wildlife Refugues; andU.S. Army Corps of Engineers properties along the Columbia River, most of which are managed for habitat and recreation by the county and cities.
State-owned public lands in Benton County include the Department of Fish and Wildlife's Rattlesnake Slope Wildlife Recreation Area north of Benton City. Benton County and the cities also own numerous parklands and open spaces, most notable theBadger Mountain Centennial Preserve, a hiking destination managed by the County located south of Richland which draws over 200,000 visits per year.
The area of south-central Washington occupied by Benton County has been known primarily as an agricultural hub since its settlement. The rise ofviticulture has had a profound impact on the agricultural and tourism industries over the past two decades, and has in many ways reshaped the reputation of the region.
TheYakima Valley AVA, part of which is located in Benton County, was the firstAmerican Viticultural Area established withinWashington state, gaining the recognition in 1983. As the Washington wine industry began to focus more onterroir, three sub-appellations have been created for areas within the Yakima Valley AVA that demonstrate uniquemicroclimates and soil conditions which crafted different wines from their neighboring areas. TheRed Mountain AVA, which lies in its entirety on Benton County, was created in 2001. The county also includes part of theHorse Heaven Hills AVA which is part of the largerColumbia Valley AVA.
Places adjacent to Benton County, Washington | |
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Municipalities and communities ofBenton County, Washington,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| CDPs | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
46°15′N119°30′W / 46.25°N 119.50°W /46.25; -119.50
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