Yakima

by The Linguist

Yakima is a city located in Yakima County, Washington. As of the 2020 census, Yakima has a population of 96,977 making it the 10th most populous city in Washington and the largest city in Central Washington. Yakima is situated in the Yakima Valley, an extremely productive agricultural region noted for apple, hop, and wine production. The county produces approximately 77% of all hops grown in the United States.

History

The Yakama people were the first known inhabitants of the Yakima Valley. In 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition explored the area and discovered abundant wildlife and rich soil, prompting the settlement of homesteaders.

By 1883, the Northern Pacific Railroad had reached the valley and Yakima City was established. The city was officially incorporated on January 27, 1886. The railroad brought commerce, population growth, and a reputation as a rowdy Wild West town. The city quickly became an important trading center for cattle and agricultural products.

In 1918, the city adopted the more phonetic spelling of “Yakima”. The economy shifted to focus on food processing, giving the city the nickname “Fruit Bowl of the Nation” as it was responsible for producing most of the nation’s apple harvest each year.

Geography

Yakima is located at 46°36′N 120°30′W (46.6, -120.5). It lies near the Yakima River at elevations ranging from 1,069 feet (326 m) along the river to 3,281 feet (1,000 m) along the Ahtanum Ridge south of the city. Yakima is 35 miles (56 km) southeast of the 14,411 feet (4,392 m) Mount Rainier.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 27.69 square miles (71.74 km2), of which, 27.65 square miles (71.64 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) is water. The city contains part of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

Climate

Yakima has a semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk) with a Mediterranean precipitation pattern featuring very dry summers and moist winters with moderately cold nights. November through February marks a markedly wet season, with more than half of the year’s precipitation falling during those months. Winters are associated with frequent light rain showers interspersed with periods of sun and fog. Snow accumulation is generally only observed in the adjacent mountain passes and Foothills with the city receiving an average of 18 inches (46 cm) annually.

Spring warming in the city is gradual, with nightly freezes persisting into May. Autumns are mild, with Indian summers observed in some years. Daytime heating allows for comfortable outdoor activity from early spring into late autumn. The calendar year’s warmest month is July, with average daytime highs of 89 °F (32 °C). Diurnal temperature ranges tend to be large throughout the year due to the aridity and relative openness of the landscape. The thermometer reaches 100 °F (38 °C) or higher on 8.1 days annually, but rarely exceeds 105 °F (41 °C).

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 96,977 people and 33,276 households residing in the city. The population density was 3,500 inhabitants per square mile (1,350/km2). There were 36,587 housing units at an average density of 1,300 per square mile (500/km2).

The racial makeup of the city was:

  • 72.7% White
  • 1.5% African American
  • 3.2% Native American
  • 1.2% Asian
  • 0.3% Pacific Islander
  • 17.7% from other races
  • 3.3% from two or more races
  • 49.9% Hispanic or Latino of any race

There were 33,276 households, out of which 38.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them. 50.3% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 23.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.38.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.9% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 28% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.5 males.

Economy

Yakima’s economy has traditionally focused on agriculture, specifically the growing, packaging, processing, and shipping of apples, cherries, pears, peaches, grapes (including wine grapes), and hops. The valley is also productive for asparagus and mint. In recent years, the wine industry has greatly expanded, encouraging the development of wine-related tourism. As of 2023, Yakima County produces 77% of all U.S. hop output.[Yakima County Economic Development]

With its strategic location on the rail and highway corridors of the east slope of the Cascade Range, Yakima is an important transportation center for agricultural products. Food processing is the largest employer in the county. Major employers in the city include:

  • Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital
  • Yakima Air Terminal
  • Yakima Training Center
  • State of Washington
  • Yakima Valley College
  • Yakima School District
  • Walmart
  • HopeSource
  • City of Yakima
  • Yakima Herald-Republic Newspaper

The median income for a household in the city was $34,231, and the median income for a family was $42,435. Males had a median income of $33,786 versus $25,940 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,141. About 17.6% of families and 23.6% of the population were below the poverty line.

Culture

With over 93 distinct neighborhoods, Yakima has diverse examples of architecture, from historical landmarks to modern commercial buildings located primarily in its downtown area. Structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places include the Larson Building, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the Yakima Grand Opera House, and the Capitol Theater.

Yakima plays host to many local events and festivals throughout the year, including the Central Washington State Fair, Yakima Valley Brewfest, Fresh Hop Ale Festival, Yakima Music & Art Festival, Yakima River Cleanup, Sundown Movies in the Park series, Yakima Folklife Festival, Cool Desert Nights Classic Car Show, and Rods Under the Stars along with recreational events like the annual Yakima River Float.

The Yakima Greenway is a restored rail corridor converted to a walking and cycling path that connects Yakima and Selah. It includes Exercise stations, benches, picnic areas, and public art.

Museums

Yakima is home to multiple museums and cultural centers, including:

Sports

The Yakima Valley Pippins baseball team has been part of the West Coast League since 2011. The team was named for the region’s famous apple crops. They play at the city’s 2,500-seat Gesa Stadium. Other teams include the Yakima SunKings basketball team and the Yakima United FC soccer club.

Yakima Valley Pippins baseball

Parks and Recreation

Yakima maintains over 60 parks and a municipal golf course covering nearly 600 acres combined. Popular recreation areas include the Chesterley Park complex, Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Randall Park, and the Yakima Area Arboretum. The Yakima Area Greenway provides pedestrian and cycling pathways along the Yakima River.

Outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, rafting, kayaking, and swimming at such locations as the Naches River, Cowiche Canyon, and Rimrock Lake attract many visitors during warmer months. Winters are popular for snowsports like skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing in the Cascade Range located just 40 miles west of Yakima.

Government

The City of Yakima operates under the Council-Manager form of government. Citizens elect seven Councilmembers from designated districts. The City Manager is appointed by the City Council and administers the daily operations of the city.

The current mayor is Patricia Byers. City Council meetings are held the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month at 6pm. Yakima City Hall is located at 129 North 2nd Street.

See the City of Yakima website for more information on city departments, municipal code, budgets, meetings and elected officials.

Education

Public schools in Yakima are managed through the Yakima School District, which oversees 18 elementary schools, six middle schools, and four high schools.

Yakima is home to Yakima Valley College, a public community college that offers associate degrees, certificate programs, and apprenticeships. It was founded in 1928 as Yakima Valley Junior College.

Heritage University, a private liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, opened a Yakima campus in 1982. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs focused on professional education.

Transportation

Interstate 82 and U.S. Route 97 intersect in Yakima, providing highway access to the city. Yakima is approximately midway between Seattle and Spokane along I-82. The city is also served by the Yakima Air Terminal airport for general aviation needs.

Public transit is provided by the Yakima Transit service, operating 17 bus routes throughout the city. The city is also served by the Amtrak Empire Builder passenger train and the Central Washington Railroad (CWR) for freight rail service.

Healthcare

As the primary regional medical center for Central Washington, Yakima is home to several medical facilities:

  • Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital – 393-bed major regional hospital
  • Yakima Regional Medical Center – 73-bed acute care hospital
  • Virginia Mason Memorial – 243-bed hospital with Level III trauma center
  • Comprehensive Healthcare – Network of clinics throughout the valley
  • Pacific Crest Family Medicine – Outpatient family medicine clinic

Notable people

Yakima has been the birthplace or hometown for numerous notable individuals, including: