Benton County, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benton County
|
||
|---|---|---|
Benton County Courthouse
|
||
|
||
Location within the U.S. state of Washington
|
||
 Washington's location within the U.S. |
||
| Country |  United States |
|
| State |  Washington |
|
| Founded | March 8, 1905 | |
| Named for | Thomas Hart Benton | |
| Seat | Prosser | |
| Largest city | Kennewick | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 1,760 sq mi (4,600 km2) | |
| • Land | 1,700 sq mi (4,000 km2) | |
| • Water | 60 sq mi (200 km2) 3.4%% | |
| Population
(2020)
|
||
| • Total | 206,873 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
|
215,219  |
|
| • Density | 110/sq mi (40/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) | |
| Congressional district | 4th | |
Benton County is a cool place in the south-central part of Washington state. In 2020, about 206,873 people lived there. The main town, called the county seat, is Prosser. But the biggest city is Kennewick. The mighty Columbia River forms its borders on the north, south, and east sides.
Benton County was started on March 8, 1905. It was named after a famous person from Missouri, Thomas Hart Benton.
Contents
Exploring Benton County's Geography
Benton County covers about 1,760 square miles. Most of this is land, with about 60 square miles of water. The tallest spot in the county is Rattlesnake Mountain, which is 3,527 feet high! The lowest spot is near Crow Butte, at 265 feet.
Rivers and Waterways
- Columbia River: This huge river surrounds Benton County on three sides. Big boats can travel upriver.
- Yakima River: This river cuts through the county from west to east. It flows into the Columbia River. The Yakima River is super important for farms in the area. Many fish, like salmon, are now returning to this river. Amon Creek is a smaller stream that flows into the Yakima River.
Mountains and Hills
Benton County has several interesting mountains and hills:
- Horse Heaven Hills
- Rattlesnake Hills
- Jump Off Joe
- Badger Mountain
- Candy Mountain
- Red Mountain
Neighboring Counties
Benton County shares borders with these other counties:
- Grant County - to the north
- Franklin County - to the northeast
- Walla Walla County - to the east
- Umatilla County, Oregon - to the southeast (in Oregon)
- Morrow County, Oregon - to the southwest (in Oregon)
- Klickitat County - to the southwest
- Yakima County - to the west
Special Protected Areas
Parts of these important national areas are in Benton County:
- Hanford Reach National Monument
- Manhattan Project National Historical Park
- Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge
- Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge
Main Roads and Highways
Major roads that help people get around Benton County include:
Interstate 82
Interstate 182
U.S. Route 12
U.S. Route 395
Washington State Route 14
Washington State Route 240
Washington State Route 397
People of Benton County
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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% | |
| 2020 | 206,873 | 18.1% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 215,219 | 22.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020 |
|||
In 2010, about 175,177 people lived in Benton County. Most people were white (82.4%). About 18.7% of the population was of Hispanic or Latino background.
Many families live in Benton County. The average household had about 2.66 people. The average family had about 3.17 people. The median age for people in the county was 35.6 years old.
Learning in Benton County
Benton County has several public school districts. It also has a few private schools.
Public Schools
Delta High School is in Pasco, a nearby city. It's a special high school focused on STEM subjects. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Prosser High School is closer to Prosser, the county seat.
Colleges and Universities
Benton County has two public college campuses in Richland:
- Columbia Basin College: This is a community college. It offers two-year degrees and helps students transfer to bigger universities.
- Washington State University Tri-Cities: This is a branch of Washington State University. It's a growing campus in North Richland.
Fun and Recreation
The Tri-Cities area, which includes Benton County, is a popular spot for fun. It has good weather and is close to big cities like Seattle and Portland. People come here for sports, festivals, and farm tours.
Golf Courses
Benton County has several golf courses where you can play:
- Canyon Lakes (Kennewick)
- Columbia Park (Kennewick) - a shorter "par 3" course
- Zintel Creek Golf Club (Kennewick)
- Buckskin (Richland) - a 9-hole course
- Columbia Point (Richland)
- Horn Rapids (Richland)
- West Richland (West Richland)
Museums to Visit
You can learn about history at these museums:
- Benton County Historical Museum
- East Benton County Historical Museum
- Hanford Reach Interpretive Center
Sports Teams
The Tri-City Americans are a major junior ice hockey team. They play at the Toyota Center in Kennewick. The players are usually 16–20 years old.
Public Lands and Parks
A big part of Benton County is public land. The most important is the Hanford Site. Most of this area is restricted, but you can visit some parts. The B Reactor is a popular spot for people interested in history and engineering. Part of the Hanford Site is also the Hanford Reach National Monument.
Other public lands include areas managed by the Bureau of Land Management. These are great for hiking. There are also wildlife refuges along the Columbia River.
The county and cities also have many parks. The Badger Mountain Centennial Preserve is a popular hiking spot. Over 200,000 people visit it each year!
Wine Country
Benton County is known for its farms. In recent years, growing grapes for wine has become very important. This has changed the area's farming and tourism.
The Yakima Valley AVA was the first special wine-growing area in Washington state, started in 1983. Within this area, there are smaller, unique spots. The Red Mountain AVA is entirely in Benton County. It was created in 2001 because of its special climate and soil.
Places to See
Here are some interesting places to visit in Benton County:
- Columbia Center Mall - a large shopping mall
- Columbia Park - a big park along the river
- Hanford Reach National Monument - a protected natural area
- Hanford Site - a historic site with a unique past
- Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail: Lake Lewis Section - learn about ancient floods
- Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) - a science facility that studies gravity waves
- McNary Dam - a large dam on the Columbia River
- Manhattan Project National Historical Park: B Reactor - a historic nuclear reactor
- Toyota Center - a sports and event arena
- Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center - learn about wine and food
Towns and Communities
Cities in Benton County
- Benton City
- Kennewick (The biggest city!)
- Prosser (The county seat!)
- Richland
- West Richland
Other Communities
Smaller Towns and Areas
Old Ghost Towns
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Benton (Washington) para niños
