Benton County, Washington
Encyclopedia
Benton County is a county located in the south-central portion of the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...

 of Washington. The Columbia River
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...

 makes up the north, south, and east boundaries of the county. In 2010, its population was 175,177. The county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....

 is Prosser
Prosser, Washington
Prosser is a city in and the county seat of Benton County, Washington, United States, along the Yakima River with only one zip code 99350. The population was 5,714 at the 2010 census.-History:...

, and its largest city is Kennewick
Kennewick, Washington
Kennewick is a city in Benton County in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Washington, near the Hanford nuclear site. It is the most populous of the three cities collectively referred to as the Tri-Cities...

. It was named after Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...

 Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...

 Thomas Hart Benton
Thomas Hart Benton (senator)
Thomas Hart Benton , nicknamed "Old Bullion", was a U.S. Senator from Missouri and a staunch advocate of westward expansion of the United States. He served in the Senate from 1821 to 1851, becoming the first member of that body to serve five terms...

.

Benton County was created out of Klickitat County on March 8, 1905.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...

, the county has a total area of 1760 square miles (4,558.4 km²), of which 1703 square miles (4,410.7 km²) is land and 57 square miles (147.6 km²) (3.24%) is water.

Adjacent counties

  • Grant County, Washington - north
  • Franklin County, Washington - northeast
  • Walla Walla County, Washington - east
  • Umatilla County, Oregon
    Umatilla County, Oregon
    Umatilla County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is included in the 8 county definition of Eastern Oregon. The county is named for the Umatilla River. In 2010, its population was 75,889...

     - south/southeast
  • Morrow County, Oregon
    Morrow County, Oregon
    Morrow County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon, on the south side of the Columbia River. It is included in the 8 county definition of Eastern Oregon. The county is named for one of its first white settlers, Jackson L. Morrow, who was a member of the state legislature when the county...

     - south/southwest
  • Klickitat County, Washington - west/southwest
  • Yakima County, Washington
    Yakima County, Washington
    Yakima County is the second largest county by area in the U.S. state of Washington. It is named after the Yakama tribe of Native Americans. In the 2010 census, its population was 243,231...

     - west

National protected area

  • Hanford Reach National Monument
    Hanford Reach National Monument
    The Hanford Reach National Monument is a national monument in the U.S. State of Washington. It was created in 2000, mostly from the former security buffer surrounding the Hanford Nuclear Reservation...

     (part)
  • Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge (part)
  • Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge
    Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge
    The Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge is located on and around the Columbia River about northwest of Hermiston, Oregon and includes in Oregon, and in Washington. It was established in 1969 to help mitigate habitat lose due to the flooding that occurred following the construction of the John Day...

     (part)

Wineries

The area of south-central Washington occupied by Benton County has been known primarily as an agricultural hub since its settlement by white Americans. The rise of viticulture
Viticulture
Viticulture is the science, production and study of grapes which deals with the series of events that occur in the vineyard. When the grapes are used for winemaking, it is also known as viniculture...

 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. Prominent wineries and tasting rooms located in the area include but are not limited to:

Tri-Cities tasting rooms

  • Badger Mountain (organic) Vineyard, Kennewick
    Kennewick, Washington
    Kennewick is a city in Benton County in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Washington, near the Hanford nuclear site. It is the most populous of the three cities collectively referred to as the Tri-Cities...

  • Bernard Griffin Winery, Richland
    Richland, Washington
    Richland is a city in Benton County in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Washington, at the confluence of the Yakima and the Columbia Rivers. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 48,058. April 1, 2011 estimates from the Washington State Office of Financial Management put the...

  • Bookwalter Winery, Richland
    Richland, Washington
    Richland is a city in Benton County in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Washington, at the confluence of the Yakima and the Columbia Rivers. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 48,058. April 1, 2011 estimates from the Washington State Office of Financial Management put the...

  • Goose Ridge Vineyards, Richland
    Richland, Washington
    Richland is a city in Benton County in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Washington, at the confluence of the Yakima and the Columbia Rivers. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 48,058. April 1, 2011 estimates from the Washington State Office of Financial Management put the...

  • Powers Winery, Kennewick
    Kennewick, Washington
    Kennewick is a city in Benton County in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Washington, near the Hanford nuclear site. It is the most populous of the three cities collectively referred to as the Tri-Cities...

  • Tagaris Winery and Taverna, Richland
    Richland, Washington
    Richland is a city in Benton County in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Washington, at the confluence of the Yakima and the Columbia Rivers. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 48,058. April 1, 2011 estimates from the Washington State Office of Financial Management put the...


Red Mountain and other Benton City tasting rooms

  • Buckmaster Cellers, Benton City
    Benton City, Washington
    Benton City is a city in Benton County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,038 at the 2010 census. The city is strongly associated with nearby Kiona, with which it shares a school district.-History:...

  • Hedges Cellars, Benton City
    Benton City, Washington
    Benton City is a city in Benton County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,038 at the 2010 census. The city is strongly associated with nearby Kiona, with which it shares a school district.-History:...

  • Kiona Vineyards Winery, Benton City
    Benton City, Washington
    Benton City is a city in Benton County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,038 at the 2010 census. The city is strongly associated with nearby Kiona, with which it shares a school district.-History:...

  • Oakwood Cellars, Benton City
    Benton City, Washington
    Benton City is a city in Benton County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,038 at the 2010 census. The city is strongly associated with nearby Kiona, with which it shares a school district.-History:...

  • Terra Blanca, Benton City
    Benton City, Washington
    Benton City is a city in Benton County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,038 at the 2010 census. The city is strongly associated with nearby Kiona, with which it shares a school district.-History:...

  • Seth Ryan Winery, Benton City
    Benton City, Washington
    Benton City is a city in Benton County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,038 at the 2010 census. The city is strongly associated with nearby Kiona, with which it shares a school district.-History:...

  • Tapteil Vineyard Winery, Benton City
    Benton City, Washington
    Benton City is a city in Benton County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,038 at the 2010 census. The city is strongly associated with nearby Kiona, with which it shares a school district.-History:...

  • Cañon de Sol, Benton City
    Benton City, Washington
    Benton City is a city in Benton County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,038 at the 2010 census. The city is strongly associated with nearby Kiona, with which it shares a school district.-History:...

  • Chandler Ranch Vineyards Estate Winery, Benton City
    Benton City, Washington
    Benton City is a city in Benton County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,038 at the 2010 census. The city is strongly associated with nearby Kiona, with which it shares a school district.-History:...

  • Sandhill Winery, Benton City
    Benton City, Washington
    Benton City is a city in Benton County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,038 at the 2010 census. The city is strongly associated with nearby Kiona, with which it shares a school district.-History:...


Prosser and other tasting rooms

  • Alexandria Nicole Cellars, Prosser
    Prosser, Washington
    Prosser is a city in and the county seat of Benton County, Washington, United States, along the Yakima River with only one zip code 99350. The population was 5,714 at the 2010 census.-History:...

  • C R Sandidge Wines, winery in Chelan
    Chelan, Washington
    Chelan is a city in Chelan County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,890 at the 2010 census. It sits on the southeast tip of Lake Chelan, where the lake flows into the Chelan River....

    , tasting room in Prosser
    Prosser, Washington
    Prosser is a city in and the county seat of Benton County, Washington, United States, along the Yakima River with only one zip code 99350. The population was 5,714 at the 2010 census.-History:...

  • Chateau Champoux, Prosser
    Prosser, Washington
    Prosser is a city in and the county seat of Benton County, Washington, United States, along the Yakima River with only one zip code 99350. The population was 5,714 at the 2010 census.-History:...

  • Chinook Wines, Prosser
    Prosser, Washington
    Prosser is a city in and the county seat of Benton County, Washington, United States, along the Yakima River with only one zip code 99350. The population was 5,714 at the 2010 census.-History:...

  • Columbia Crest Winery, Paterson
    Paterson, Washington
    Paterson is an unincorporated community in Benton County, Washington, United States, located on the northern banks of the Columbia River at the junction of Washington State Route 14 and Washington State Route 221. It was named for early settler Henry Patterson....

  • Cowan Vineyards, Prosser
    Prosser, Washington
    Prosser is a city in and the county seat of Benton County, Washington, United States, along the Yakima River with only one zip code 99350. The population was 5,714 at the 2010 census.-History:...

  • Coyote Canyon Winery, Prosser
    Prosser, Washington
    Prosser is a city in and the county seat of Benton County, Washington, United States, along the Yakima River with only one zip code 99350. The population was 5,714 at the 2010 census.-History:...

  • Desert Wind Vineyard, Prosser
    Prosser, Washington
    Prosser is a city in and the county seat of Benton County, Washington, United States, along the Yakima River with only one zip code 99350. The population was 5,714 at the 2010 census.-History:...

  • Eaton Hill Winery
  • Fox Estate Winery, Mattawa
    Mattawa, Washington
    Mattawa is an incorporated city in Grant County, Washington, United States. The population was 2,609 at the 2000 census. An estimated population exists between 4500-6500 residents during peak fruit picking/agricultural season and subsides by approximately 2000 residents during non-picking...

  • Frenchman Hills Vineyard
  • Hinzerling Winery and Vintner's Inn, Prosser
    Prosser, Washington
    Prosser is a city in and the county seat of Benton County, Washington, United States, along the Yakima River with only one zip code 99350. The population was 5,714 at the 2010 census.-History:...

  • Hogue Cellars Winery, Prosser
    Prosser, Washington
    Prosser is a city in and the county seat of Benton County, Washington, United States, along the Yakima River with only one zip code 99350. The population was 5,714 at the 2010 census.-History:...

  • Kestrel Winery, Prosser
    Prosser, Washington
    Prosser is a city in and the county seat of Benton County, Washington, United States, along the Yakima River with only one zip code 99350. The population was 5,714 at the 2010 census.-History:...

  • Sleeping Dog Wines, Benton City
    Benton City, Washington
    Benton City is a city in Benton County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,038 at the 2010 census. The city is strongly associated with nearby Kiona, with which it shares a school district.-History:...

  • Snipes Gap Vineyards, Prosser
    Prosser, Washington
    Prosser is a city in and the county seat of Benton County, Washington, United States, along the Yakima River with only one zip code 99350. The population was 5,714 at the 2010 census.-History:...

  • Snoqualmie Vineyards, Prosser
    Prosser, Washington
    Prosser is a city in and the county seat of Benton County, Washington, United States, along the Yakima River with only one zip code 99350. The population was 5,714 at the 2010 census.-History:...

  • Thurston Wolfe Winery, Prosser
    Prosser, Washington
    Prosser is a city in and the county seat of Benton County, Washington, United States, along the Yakima River with only one zip code 99350. The population was 5,714 at the 2010 census.-History:...


Sites of interest

  • Hanford Nuclear Reservation
    Hanford Site
    The Hanford Site is a mostly decommissioned nuclear production complex on the Columbia River in the U.S. state of Washington, operated by the United States federal government. The site has been known by many names, including Hanford Works, Hanford Engineer Works or HEW, Hanford Nuclear Reservation...

  • Toyota Center
    Toyota Center (Kennewick)
    The Toyota Center is an multi-purpose arena in Kennewick, Washington, USA.The arena opened in 1988 as the Tri-Cities Coliseum...

  • Columbia Center Mall
    Columbia Center Mall
    Columbia Center Mall is a shopping mall located in northwestern Kennewick, Washington, owned by Simon Property Group. It is the largest mall in southeastern Washington, and regularly draws visitors from as far away as La Grande, Oregon.-History:...

  • Columbia Park, Kennewick
    Columbia Park, Kennewick
    The Columbia Park is a recreational area with 4.5 miles of shoreline of the Columbia River located in the city of Kennewick in the U.S. state Washington...


Major highways

  • Interstate 82
    Interstate 82
    Interstate 82 is a Interstate Highway that extends from I-90 in Ellensburg, Washington to I-84 near Umatilla, Oregon in the United States. In the state of Washington, it serves the cities of Ellensburg, Yakima, and the Tri Cities , and in Oregon, it serves Umatilla and Hermiston...

  • Interstate 182
    Interstate 182
    Interstate 182 is a Interstate Highway that extends from I-82 west of Richland to US 12 in Pasco. It serves the Tri-Cities. The whole length of I-182 is concurrent with US 12, which extends westwards to Yakima, Naches, and Aberdeen and extends eastwards to Walla Walla, Lewiston, Idaho,...

  • U.S. Route 12
    U.S. Route 12 in Washington
    U.S. Route 12 is a major east-west U.S. Highway, running from Aberdeen, Washington, to Detroit, Michigan. It spans across the state of Washington, and is the only numbered highway to span the entire state from west to east, starting near the Pacific Ocean, and crossing the Idaho state line near...

  • U.S. Route 395
    U.S. Route 395 in Washington
    In the U.S. state of Washington, U.S. Route 395 is a major state highway in two parts, separated by a long overlap with Interstate 90 between Ritzville and Spokane. The southern piece, from I-82 near the Tri-Cities to I-90 near Ritzville, is a high-speed four-lane divided highway...

  • Washington State Route 14
  • Washington State Route 240
    Washington State Route 240
    State Route 240 is a busy state highway servicing the Tri-Cities of Washington and the Hanford Site.-Route description:Its eastern end begins at the southern end of the Blue Bridge in central Kennewick as an offshoot of U.S. Route 395...


Demographics

As of the census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...

of 2000, there were 142,475 people, 52,866 households, and 38,063 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...

 was 84 people per square mile (32/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 86.25% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

, 0.93% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

 or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

, 0.82% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

, 2.20% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

, 0.11% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

, 7.01% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

, and 2.69% from two or more races. 12.50% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

 or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

 of any race. 18.1% were of German, 11.0% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...

, 9.1% United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 or American and 8.4% Irish
Irish American
Irish Americans are citizens of the United States who can trace their ancestry to Ireland. A total of 36,278,332 Americans—estimated at 11.9% of the total population—reported Irish ancestry in the 2008 American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau...

 ancestry according to Census 2000. 86.4% spoke English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...

 and 10.3% Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...

 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% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...

 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. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...

 for the county was $21,301. About 7.80% of families and 10.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.30% of those under age 18 and 6.90% of those age 65 or over.

Census-recognized communities

Benton County

  • Benton City
    Benton City, Washington
    Benton City is a city in Benton County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,038 at the 2010 census. The city is strongly associated with nearby Kiona, with which it shares a school district.-History:...

     (3,145)
  • Finley
    Finley, Washington
    Finley is a census-designated place in Benton County, Washington, United States. The population was 6,012 at the 2010 census. It is located to the southeast of the larger city of Kennewick.-History:...

     (6,012)
  • Highland
    Highland, Washington
    Highland is a census-designated place in Benton County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,388 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Highland is located at ....

     (3,388)
  • Kennewick
    Kennewick, Washington
    Kennewick is a city in Benton County in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Washington, near the Hanford nuclear site. It is the most populous of the three cities collectively referred to as the Tri-Cities...

     (74,665)
  • Prosser
    Prosser, Washington
    Prosser is a city in and the county seat of Benton County, Washington, United States, along the Yakima River with only one zip code 99350. The population was 5,714 at the 2010 census.-History:...

     (5,780)
  • Richland
    Richland, Washington
    Richland is a city in Benton County in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Washington, at the confluence of the Yakima and the Columbia Rivers. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 48,058. April 1, 2011 estimates from the Washington State Office of Financial Management put the...

     (49,090)
  • West Richland
    West Richland, Washington
    West Richland is a city in Benton County, Washington, United States, served by three elementary schools and a middle school , with an annual budget of about 30 million dollars. The population was 11,811 at the 2010 census...

     (12,200)

Other communities

  • Kiona
    Kiona, Washington
    Kiona is an unincorporated community in Benton County, Washington, United States. Kiona is an Indian term meaning "brown hills." Kiona and Benton City share a school district .-History:...

  • Paterson
    Paterson, Washington
    Paterson is an unincorporated community in Benton County, Washington, United States, located on the northern banks of the Columbia River at the junction of Washington State Route 14 and Washington State Route 221. It was named for early settler Henry Patterson....

  • Plymouth
    Plymouth, Washington
    Plymouth is an unincorporated community in Benton County, Washington, United States. Plymouth is located on the Columbia River across from Umatilla, Oregon. It is south of the Tri-Cities and is served by Interstate 82. It was named by early settlers who felt a nearby rock promontory resembled...

  • Whitstran
    Whitstran, Washington
    Whitstran is a small, unincorporated community in Benton County, Washington, located approximately four miles Northeast of Prosser and approximately ten miles east of Benton City...


Ghost Towns

  • Hanford
    Hanford, Washington
    Hanford was a small agricultural community in Benton County, Washington, United States. It was evacuated in 1943 along with the town of White Bluffs in order to make room for the nuclear production facility known as the Hanford Site...

     (ghost town)
  • White Bluffs
    White Bluffs, Washington
    White Bluffs was an agricultural town in Benton County, Washington, United States. It was evacuated in 1943 along with the town of Hanford to make room for the nuclear production facility known as the Hanford Site....

     (ghost town)

See also

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Benton County, Washington

Further reading

Available online through the Washington State Library's Classics in Washington History collection

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
x
OK