Richland-Kennewick
RANK #701 / 996 NAT · #17 / 21 WA · POP 207,560
1YR FORECAST: +0.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +19%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
At 29/100, Benton County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $83,778 combined with job growth of +0.9% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Benton County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $338,700 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.25 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,166/month on average.
Benton County's population is growing — up +1.5% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.9%). Home values shifted +0.1% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.67% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Benton County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.