Benton County, Washington

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Benton County, Washington
Logo of Benton County, Washington Logo
Location in the state of Washington (state)
Washington's location in the U.S.
Founded	March 8, 1905
Named for	Thomas Hart Benton (1782-1858) Senator from Missouri (1821-1851)
Seat	Prosser
Largest city	Kennewick
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	1,760 sq mi (4,558 km²) 1,703 sq mi (4,411 km²) 57 sq mi (148 km²), 3.24%
PopulationEst.  - (2011)  - Density	180,678 103/sq mi (39.7/km²)
Congressional district	4th
Time zone	Pacific: UTC-8/-7
Website	www.co.benton.wa.us

Benton County is a county located in the south-central portion of the U.S. state of Washington. The Columbia River makes up the north, south, and east boundaries of the county. As of the 2010 census, its population was 175,177. The county seat is Prosser, and its largest city is Kennewick. It was named after Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton.

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

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,760 square miles (4,558.4 km²), of which 1,703 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 - south/southeast
• Morrow County, Oregon - south/southwest
• Klickitat County, Washington - west/southwest
• Yakima County, Washington - west

National protected area

• Hanford Reach National Monument (part)
• Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge (part)
• Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge (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 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.

Geographic features

• Columbia River
• Yakima River

Sites of interest

• Hanford Nuclear Reservation
• Toyota Center
• Columbia Center Mall
• Columbia Park, Kennewick

Major highways

• Interstate 82
• Interstate 182
• U.S. Route 12
• U.S. Route 395
• Washington State Route 14
• Washington State Route 240

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
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%
Est. 2011	180,678		26.8%
U.S. Decennial Census 2011 estimate

As of the census of 2000, there were 142,475 people, 52,866 households, and 38,063 families residing in the county. The population density 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, 0.93% Black or African American, 0.82% Native American, 2.20% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 7.01% from other races, and 2.69% from two or more races. 12.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.1% were of German, 11.0% English, 9.1% United States or American and 8.4% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000. 86.4% spoke English 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% were married 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. The per capita income 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.

Cities

Benton County

• Benton City (3,145)
• Kennewick (74,665)
• Prosser (5,780)
• Richland (49,090)
• West Richland (12,200)

Other census-recognized communities

• Finley (6,012)
• Highland (3,388)

Other communities

• Kiona
• Paterson
• Plymouth
• Whitstran

Ghost towns

• Hanford (depopulated in March 1943)
• White Bluffs (depopulated in March 1943)

See also

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

Further reading

• Lyman, William Denison (1919). History of the Yakima Valley, Washington : comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton counties. S.J. Clarke. Available online through the Washington State Library's Classics in Washington History collection

External links

• Benton County (official website)
• East Benton County Historical Museum