Kennewick, Washington

Kennewick is a city located in Benton County in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Washington, near the confluence of the Columbia and Yakima rivers. As of the 2020 census, Kennewick had a population of 86,622 residents, making it the largest of the Tri-Cities metropolitan area.

History

Kennewick was incorporated as a town on February 5, 1904. The name is believed to be a native word meaning “grassy place.” Early growth was fueled by the railroad and agricultural industry. In the 1950s, Kennewick saw an increase in population due to people working at the nearby Hanford Site. Today, the economy is driven by food processing, healthcare, education, manufacturing, and retail.

For more on the history of Kennewick, visit the Kennewick Wikipedia page.

Population

According to the 2020 census, the population of Kennewick was 86,622. Kennewick is the largest city in Benton County. Other major cities in the county include Richland and West Richland.

Economy

Some of the major industries and employers in Kennewick include:

Food processing – Lamb Weston, Reser’s Fine Foods
Healthcare – Trios Health
Retail – Columbia Center Mall, Toyota Center
Education – Kennewick School District, Columbia Basin College
Manufacturing -AFFECT Technologies, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

For more on the economy and job market in Kennewick, visit the Choose Washington State website.

Landmarks

Some of the most popular landmarks and attractions in Kennewick include:

Columbia Park – Large urban park along the Columbia River with golf course, playgrounds, and walking trails. Address: 1102 Columbia Park Trail, Kennewick, WA 99336. GPS coordinates: 46.2056178,-119.1874014.
Columbia River – Major river that flows through Kennewick and the Tri-Cities area. Provides recreational opportunities like fishing, boating and watersports. GPS coordinates: 46.2194743,-119.1384377.
Toyota Center – Large multipurpose arena that hosts concerts, sports, and community events. Address: 7000 W Grandridge Blvd, Kennewick, WA 99336. GPS coordinates: 46.2238758,-119.1830688.
Columbia Gardens Wine Village – Wine village with tasting rooms, shops, and restaurants. Address: 3130 W Clydesdale St, Kennewick, WA 99336. GPS coordinates: 46.2050564,-119.1914341.
East Benton County Historical Museum – Museum chronicling the history and culture of Benton County. Address: 205 Keewaydin Dr, Kennewick, WA 99336. GPS coordinates: 46.2110401,-119.1663483.
Columbia Drive-In Theater – Historic drive-in movie theater that has operated since 1953. 90620 Columbia Park Trl, Kennewick, WA 99336. GPS coordinates: 46.2090494,-119.1793254.

For more on things to see and do in Kennewick, visit the Tri-Cities Tourism website.

Public Library

The Kennewick Public Library system includes a main library and one branch. Facilities include books, multimedia, public computers, free wifi, meeting rooms, and programs for all ages.

Kennewick Public Library (Main)
1620 S Union St, Kennewick, WA 99338
Phone: (509) 586-1800

For more information, visit the Kennewick Public Library website.

Museum

The East Benton County Historical Museum is a popular museum located in Kennewick. The museum collects and preserves artifacts related to the history of Benton County. Exhibits cover Native American culture, pioneers, agriculture, and more.

East Benton County Historical Museum
205 Keewaydin Dr, Kennewick, WA 99336
Phone: (509) 582-7704

For more information, visit the East Benton County Historical Museum website.

Public Transportation

Public transportation in Kennewick is provided by the Ben Franklin Transit agency. They operate a network of bus routes serving Kennewick and other cities in Benton and Franklin counties. Fares and passes can be purchased on board buses.

Ben Franklin Transit
1000 Columbia Park Trail, Richland, WA 99352
Phone: (509) 734-5107

For schedules, routes, and fare info, visit the Ben Franklin Transit website.

School Districts

Public schools in Kennewick are operated by the Kennewick School District and the Finley School District.

Kennewick School District
1000 W 4th Ave, Kennewick, WA 99336
Phone: (509) 222-5000
Website: www.ksd.org

Finley School District
224606 E Game Farm Rd, Kennewick, WA 99337
Phone: (509) 586-3217
Website: www.finleysd.org

There are also several public charter schools and private schools located in Kennewick.

Additional Local Resources

City of Kennewick – Official city government website. Address: 210 W 6th Ave, Kennewick, WA 99336. Phone: (509) 585-4200. Website: www.go2kennewick.com
Benton County – Kennewick is located in Benton County. County website: www.co.benton.wa.us. Address: 620 Market St, Prosser, WA 99350. Phone: (509) 736-3071.
Tri-City Americans – Local junior ice hockey team. Website: www.amshockey.com. Phone: (509) 737-0330.
Visit Tri-Cities – Tourism website for Kennewick and the greater Tri-Cities area. Website: www.visittri-cities.com.
Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce – Regional chamber of commerce. Address: 7130 W Grandridge Blvd Suite B, Kennewick, WA 99336. Phone: (509) 735-1000. Website: www.tricitieschamber.com
Kennewick Farmers Market – Outdoor farmers market operating May through October. Located at the corner of 10th Ave and Columbia Center Blvd. Website: kennewickfarmersmarket.org