Kennewick, Washington facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kennewick, Washington
City
City of Kennewick
Aerial view of Kennewick from above the Columbia River near the Blue Bridge.
Location of Kennewick, Washington
Kennewick, Washington Location in the United States
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Benton
Government
• Type	Council–manager
Area
• City	28.84 sq mi (74.70 km2)
• Land	27.45 sq mi (71.09 km2)
• Water	1.39 sq mi (3.61 km2)
Elevation	407 ft (124 m)
Population  (2020)
• City	83,921
• Estimate  (2023)	85,158
• Rank	US: 411th WA: 14th
• Density	3,072.86/sq mi (1,186.42/km2)
• Urban	255,401 (US: 158th)
• Urban density	2,276.0/sq mi (878.8/km2)
• Metro	310,000 (US: 166th)
• CSA	366,206 (US: 103rd)
• Columbia River Valley	310,000
Time zone	UTC−8 (Pacific (PST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP Codes	99336–99338
Area code(s)	509
FIPS code	53-35275
GNIS feature ID	1512347
Website	go2kennewick.com

Kennewick is a city in Benton County, Washington. It's located on the southwest side of the Columbia River. Kennewick is the largest of three cities known as the Tri-Cities. The other two cities are Pasco and Richland. In 2023, about 85,158 people lived here.

People have lived in the Kennewick area for at least 9,000 years. This is known because of the discovery of Kennewick Man, an ancient skeleton found near the Columbia River. American settlers started moving to the area in the late 1800s. The city grew a lot in the 1940s because of the Hanford Site in Richland. Many people came to work there during World War II. Today, Kennewick's economy includes jobs at Hanford, but also in retail, agriculture, and other businesses.

History of Kennewick

Early Native American Settlements

Native American tribes lived around Kennewick for thousands of years. These included the Umatilla, Wanapum, Nez Perce, and Yakama tribes. Kennewick was a good place to live because of its mild winters. The river also made it easy to catch salmon and other fish.

In the early 1800s, explorers Lewis and Clark passed through. They saw many people living in the area. Their maps showed two large villages nearby. These villages had thousands of people.

The name Kennewick comes from Native American words. Some say it means "grassy place." Others say it means "winter paradise" because of the mild weather.

How Kennewick Grew

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

In 1855, the Umatilla and Yakama tribes gave up the land where Kennewick now stands. Ranchers started working with animals in the 1860s. But the dry climate made it hard for many people to settle.

In the 1880s, steamboats and railroads began connecting Kennewick to other towns. A temporary railroad bridge was built in 1887 to connect Kennewick and Pasco. This bridge was later replaced by a stronger one in 1888. After the bridge was finished, many workers left, and the town's growth slowed down.

In the 1890s, a company brought water to the Kennewick Highlands for farming. This allowed people to grow fruits like strawberries. Kennewick officially became a city on February 5, 1904.

In 1915, the Celilo Canal opened. This connected Kennewick to the Pacific Ocean by river. The city created the Port of Kennewick to handle ship traffic. A new bridge, the Green Bridge, opened in 1922. This allowed cars to travel between Kennewick and Pasco.

During the Great Depression in the 1930s, Kennewick still grew. New dams on the Columbia River helped farming and transportation.

After World War II

The Blue Bridge as seen from Columbia Park.

During World War II, the Hanford Site opened near Richland in 1943. It was a secret project to make nuclear weapons. Many people moved to the area to work there. This caused Kennewick's population to grow a lot. Between 1940 and 1950, Kennewick's population jumped from about 1,900 to over 10,000 people.

More people meant more traffic. So, a new four-lane bridge, the Blue Bridge, opened in 1954. It was built near the old Green Bridge. Later, the Cable Bridge opened in 1978 to replace the Green Bridge. The Green Bridge was eventually taken down in 1990.

Changes in the 20th Century

In the past, African Americans faced unfair treatment in Kennewick. They were often not allowed to live in the city after dark. This was known as a "sundown town." They also had trouble buying homes. In the 1960s, civil rights groups like the NAACP worked to change this. They showed that unfair practices were happening. This led to efforts to make Kennewick a more welcoming place for everyone.

In 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted. Volcanic ash fell on Kennewick, covering cars and streets. The city was connected to the Interstate Highway System in 1986 with Interstate 82. This made travel easier.

In the 1980s, there were ideas to combine Kennewick with Pasco and Richland into one big city. But voters in Kennewick and Pasco did not agree.

In 1990, the Toyota Center hosted ice hockey and figure skating events for the 1990 Goodwill Games. This was a big international sports competition.

In 1996, an ancient human skeleton was found near the Columbia River. This skeleton, called Kennewick Man, was about 9,300 years old. There was a debate about who owned the bones. Native American tribes said they were their ancestor's remains. Scientists wanted to study them. Later studies showed the skeleton was indeed related to Native Americans in the area.

Kennewick has continued to grow since the 2000s. New homes and businesses have been built, especially in the Southridge area.

Geography and Climate

Where Kennewick Is Located

Kennewick from Thompson Hill, which is in the south part of town.

Kennewick is in Eastern Washington. It sits on the south side of the Columbia River. The city's land goes from the river up to some hills. These hills are part of the same natural formations as Badger Mountain.

The ground in Kennewick is made of basalt, which came from ancient volcanic eruptions. These eruptions happened millions of years ago. Later, huge floods called the Missoula Floods covered the area. These floods left a lot of sediment (dirt and rocks) behind. During the biggest floods, all of Kennewick was under water.

Even though it's not as common as on the west side of Washington, Earthquakes can happen in Kennewick. Strong earthquakes far away can affect the area. Closer fault lines can also cause smaller earthquakes.

Kennewick's Weather

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

Kennewick has a semi-arid climate, which means it's quite dry. This is because the Cascade Mountains block most of the rain. So, Kennewick gets much less rain than cities like Seattle. The mountains also mean Kennewick has hotter summers and colder winters.

Before dams were built, the Columbia River sometimes flooded. The worst flood was in 1948. Now, dams like McNary Dam help control the river. A dam called Zintel Canyon Dam protects parts of the city from floods caused by heavy rain in the hills.

In winter, Kennewick can have temperature inversions. This is when cold, dense air gets trapped near the ground. It can cause thick fog and lower air quality for days.

Strong winds are common in Kennewick. Sometimes, these winds can cause dust storms, especially in spring and fall when farms have bare soil. In summer, the hot, dry weather can lead to wildfires near the city. While rare, strong thunderstorms can also happen, bringing wind, hail, or even small tornadoes.

People of Kennewick

Kennewick's population has grown a lot over the years. In 2020, there were 83,921 people living in the city. The city is home to people from many different backgrounds.

Population Details (2020)

In 2020, about 59% of Kennewick's population was White (not Hispanic). About 30% of the population was Hispanic or Latino. The city also has growing Black, Asian, Native American, and Pacific Islander communities.

Population Details (2010)

In 2010, there were 73,917 people in Kennewick. About 38% of households had children under 18. The average age in the city was 32.6 years old. About 28% of residents were under 18.

Kennewick's Economy

A retail building in downtown Kennewick.

Kennewick's economy is connected to the other Tri-Cities. The Hanford Site and a national laboratory are big employers. Farming and healthcare also provide many jobs.

Kennewick is the main shopping area for the Tri-Cities. It has the only mall in the area, Columbia Center Mall. People from all over southeast Washington and northeast Oregon come here to shop. There are also shops in historic downtown and the newer Southridge area.

Many crops are grown near Kennewick. These include grapes for wine, vegetables, and tree fruits. Companies like Lamb Weston and Tyson Foods process these crops in town. The rich soil and water systems help these farms grow.

The area has been adding many jobs, which has led to a population boom. Home prices have been going up each year.

Culture and Fun

Events and Tourism

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

Kennewick hosts many events, especially outdoors in the warm months. A big event is the Tri-Cities Water Follies in July. This includes the HAPO Gold Cup, a hydroplane boat race on the Columbia River. There's also an airshow and other activities. Over 70,000 people attend these events each year.

Benton and Franklin Counties hold a big fair at the end of summer. It has animal shows, rides, and concerts. There's also a rodeo called the Horse Heaven Round-Up.

Kennewick's dry, warm summers attract visitors. Many people enjoy boating and other water sports on the Columbia, Snake, and Yakima rivers. Clover Island has a hotel, a lighthouse, and a brewery. The historic downtown area has antique and clothing shops.

Kennewick is in Washington's wine country. There are over 300 wineries and wine bars nearby. Many tourists come to the Tri-Cities for wine tasting. Some even take cruises up the Columbia River from Portland to visit the wineries.

Sports Teams

The Toyota Center.

Kennewick has two professional sports teams. The Tri-City Americans play ice hockey in the Western Hockey League at the Toyota Center. The Tri-City Dust Devils play baseball at Gesa Stadium in Pasco. They are a farm team for the Los Angeles Angels.

The Tri-City Americans started in 1966 and moved to the Tri-Cities in 1988. They were the first professional hockey team in the area. The Tri-City Dust Devils are a minor league baseball team. Kennewick also has an amateur roller derby team called the Atomic City Rollergirls.

Media in Kennewick

The Tri-City Herald is the daily newspaper for the Tri-Cities. It is based in downtown Kennewick. There are also other local newspapers and online news sources.

Kennewick shares a television market with Yakima, Washington. The local TV stations for NBC, ABC, and Fox have studios in Kennewick. The CBS station is in Pasco. The Tri-Cities and Yakima have separate radio markets. Many radio stations are licensed in Kennewick.

Parks and Recreation

A playground in Kennewick's Inspiration Park.

Kennewick's weather is great for outdoor activities most of the year. The city has 27 parks and other public facilities. Many parks have playgrounds and shelters for events. There are also three sports complexes. The city maintains hiking and bike trails, including part of the Sacagawea Heritage Trail.

The biggest park is Columbia Park. It's along the river and has boat launches for access to the Columbia River. You can go kayaking and canoeing here. The Sacagawea Heritage Trail runs through the park. The park also has a golf course, a fishing pond, and a large playground. Columbia Park hosts the annual HAPO Gold Cup hydroplane race.

The Southridge Sports and Events Complex is a large park built in the 2010s. It's mainly used for sports like baseball, basketball, and volleyball. It also has a playground and open fields. The complex has a piece of the World Trade Center as a memorial to the victims of the September 11 attacks. A historic carousel was also restored and opened at the complex.

Education in Kennewick

Most adults in Kennewick have a high school diploma. Many also have a college degree. Kennewick doesn't have its own colleges, but it's close to Columbia Basin College in Pasco and Washington State University Tri-Cities in Richland.

Public schools in Kennewick are part of the Kennewick School District (KSD). The district has 17 elementary schools, five middle schools, and three high schools. Over 18,000 students attend these schools. KSD also runs the Tri-Tech Skills Center, which teaches job skills like firefighting and auto repair. KSD helps fund Delta High School in Pasco, a school focused on science and technology. The district also operates Neil F. Lampson Stadium, used for football and soccer games.

There are five private schools in Kennewick. Many of these are run by Christian churches.

City Services

Getting Around Kennewick

Looking eastbound on I-82 at the Badger Road interchange.

The closest airport for commercial flights is the Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco. It has flights to major cities in the western U.S. Pasco also has a train station for Amtrak and a bus station for Greyhound Lines.

Interstate 82 goes around the south side of Kennewick. It connects to Seattle and other major cities. US 395 goes through Kennewick from south to north, connecting to Spokane. Other state routes like State Route 240 and State Route 397 help people get around town.

Public transportation in Kennewick is provided by Ben Franklin Transit. They run bus routes within the city and to Pasco and Richland. There are two main bus centers in Kennewick.

Utilities and Resources

The city provides water and sewer services. Electricity comes from Benton Public Utility District. Natural gas is supplied by Cascade Natural Gas. Waste Management handles garbage and recycling. Many people use a separate irrigation system to water their lawns, which gets water from nearby rivers.

Most of Kennewick's electricity comes from clean sources. About 80% is from hydroelectric power (dams). Another 10% comes from nuclear energy. Very little electricity comes from fossil fuels.

Notable people

• Adelle August, actress and 1952 Miss Washington USA
• Stu Barnes, former Tri-City Americans and NHL player, now an assistant coach with the Dallas Stars
• Jeremy Bonderman, Major League Baseball pitcher, Detroit Tigers
• Adam Carriker, defensive end for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League and graduate of Kennewick High School
• Rick Emerson, former radio personality
• Janet Krupin, actress, singer, writer, and producer
• Olaf Kolzig, former Tri-City Americans and NHL goaltender, Washington Capitals
• Damon Lusk, NASCAR driver
• Ray Mansfield, National Football League player, center, Pittsburgh Steelers
• Michael McShane, United States Judge for the District of Oregon
• Leilani Mitchell, Professional basketball player
• Travis Nelson, Oregon Legislator and graduate of Kennewick High School
• Shawn O'Malley, Major League Baseball outfielder, Seattle Mariners
• Scot Pollard, former NBA player
• Mike Reilly, NFL quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, St. Louis Rams, CFL quarterback, Edmonton Eskimos
• Russ Swan, Major League Baseball pitcher, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians
• Brittney Zamora, racing driver

See also

In Spanish: Kennewick para niños