RANK #670 / 996 · POP 207,560 · WA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.2%
The Columbia River defines much of Benton County, located in southeastern Washington, offering a distinctive landscape and numerous recreational opportunities. Kennewick, the largest city, forms part of the Tri-Cities metropolitan area, approximately 3.5 hours southeast of Seattle. The community provides a blend of urban amenities and natural scenery, with a semi-arid climate featuring warm summers and mild winters. Residents enjoy extensive outdoor recreation, including hiking trails on Badger Mountain and Candy Mountain, and water sports on the Columbia and Yakima Rivers. The Sacagawea Heritage Trail is a popular paved path connecting the Tri-Cities along the Columbia River.
Life in Benton County offers a family-friendly environment with a focus on community. Commute times are generally shorter than the national average, and public transit, including bus services and on-demand options, connects the main cities and towns. The economy is diverse, driven by agriculture, particularly a growing wine industry, and significant activity in technology and energy production. Major investments in data centers and energy projects contribute to the area's economic picture, attracting a workforce in high-wage sectors like professional, scientific, and technical services.
Above national median (4.7x)
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.4x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Horse Heaven Clean Energy Center (Wind, Solar, Battery Storage)
Scout Clean Energy
|
$1,500M | Awaiting Construction |
|
Hop Hill Renewable Power Project (Solar & Battery Storage)
BrightNight
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
West Richland Data Center Campus
Likely Hyperscaler (unidentified)
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Plymouth Data Center Campus
Likely Hyperscaler (unidentified)
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Wautoma Solar Project (Solar & Battery Storage)
Innergex Renewable Development
|
$400M | Approved |
|
Wallula Gap Solar (Solar & Battery Storage)
Wallula Gap Solar, LLC
|
$60M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Benton County has a Boom Town Index score of 33/100, ranking #670 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.9% and a median household income of $83,778, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Benton County is $338,700 with median rent at $1,166/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2474, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.9%. Home values changed +0.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.67% of Benton County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.