View source for Tri-Cities, Washington

{{Short description|Place in Washington, United States}}
{{Other uses|Tri-Cities (disambiguation){{!}}Tri-Cities}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
| image_skyline      = {{Photomontage
|photo1a                  = Kennewick-ColumbiaRiverAerial (31695765421).jpg{{!}}Aerial view of Kennewick from above the Columbia River
|photo2a                  = Downtown Richland.jpg{{!}}Aerial view of Downtown Richland
|photo2b                  = Franklin County Courthouse in Pasco, Washington.JPG{{!}}Franklin County Courthouse in Pasco
|size                     = 285
|border                   = 1
|spacing                  = 2
|color_border             = white
|color                    = white
|foot_montage             = '''Top:''' [[Kennewick, Washington|Kennewick]] skyline; '''bottom left:''' [[Richland, Washington|Richland]]; '''bottom right''': the [[Pasco, Washington|Pasco]] courthouse
}}
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = 
| image_map          = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=290|frame-height=240|zoom=9|frame-coord={{coord|46.2500|-119.2500}}
| type1=shape|id1=Q156216|title1=Benton County|stroke-color1=#83AE46|stroke-width1=0.5|fill1=#83AE46|fill-opacity1=0.4
| type2=shape|id2=Q118716|title2=Franklin County|stroke-color2=#83AE46|stroke-width2=0.5|fill2=#83AE46|fill-opacity2=0.4
| type3=shape|id3=Q844033|title3=City of Kennewick|stroke-color3=#007272|stroke-width3=0.5|fill3=#007272|fill-opacity3=0.4
| type4=shape|id4=Q844016|title4=City of Pasco|stroke-color4=#0003FF|stroke-width4=0.5|fill4=#0003FF|fill-opacity4=0.4
| type5=shape|id5=Q693638|title5=City of Richland|stroke-color5=#FF0000|stroke-width5=0.5|fill5=#FF0000|fill-opacity5=0.4
| type6=shape|id6=Q485305|title6=Walla Walla County|stroke-color6=#FBBF00|stroke-width6=0.5|fill6=#FFFE00|fill-opacity6=0.4
| type7=shape|id7=Q222338|title7=City of Walla Walla|stroke-color7=#FF6F00|stroke-width7=0.5|fill7=#FF6F00|fill-opacity7=0.4
}}
| map_alt            = Map of Tri-Cities Metropolitan Area
| map_caption        = Location of the Tri-Cities in [[Benton County, Washington|Benton]], [[Franklin County, Washington|Franklin]], and [[Walla Walla County, Washington|Walla Walla]] counties{{refn|group=note|The cities of [[Kennewick, Washington|Kennewick]], [[Pasco, Washington|Pasco]], and [[Richland, Washington|Richland]] are highlighted in red, while other populated places within the Tri-Cities [[United States urban area|urban area]] are highlighted in pink.}}
| name               = Tri-Cities
| nicknames           = Wine Country, Atomic Town
| subdivision_name   = [[File:Flag of United States.svg|border|23px]] [[United States]]
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[File:Flag of Washington.svg|border|23px]] [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Washington|Counties]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Benton County, Washington|Benton]]<br />[[Franklin County, Washington|Franklin]]
| population_as_of   = [[United States Census|2023]]
| population_total   = 244,036
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name="2017population">{{cite web|title=April 1, 2017 Population of Cities, Towns and Counties|url=https://www.ofm.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/legacy/pop/april1/ofm_april1_population_final.pdf|publisher=(Washington state) Office of Financial Management|access-date=June 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029121950/https://ofm.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/legacy/pop/april1/ofm_april1_population_final.pdf|archive-date=October 29, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| population_urban   = 257,710 (US: [[List of United States urban areas|157st]])
| population_metro   = 314,253 (US: [[List of metropolitan statistical areas|166th]])
| population_blank1_title = [[Combined statistical area|CSA]]
| population_blank1  = 421,628 (US: [[Combined statistical area|106th]]) <!-- 'Kennewick–Richland–Walla Walla, WA CSA' -->
| timezone           = [[Pacific Time Zone (North America)|PST]]
| utc_offset         = -8
| timezone_DST       = [[Pacific Time Zone (North America)|PDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = -7
| elevation_ft       = 550
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 99301, 99302, 99323, 99336, 99337, 99338, 99352, 99353, 99354
| area_code          = [[Area code 509]]
| established_title  = Settled
| established_date   = 1891
| unit_pref          = US
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_total_sq_mi   = 108.96
| elevation_max_footnotes = 
| elevation_max_ft   = 
| elevation_max_m    = 
| elevation_min_footnotes = 
| elevation_min_ft   = 
| elevation_min_m    = 
| population_footnotes = 
| population_density_sq_mi = 
| population_density_km2 = 
| website            = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
| footnotes          = 
}}

The '''Tri-Cities''' are three closely linked cities ([[Kennewick, Washington|Kennewick]], [[Pasco, Washington|Pasco]], and [[Richland, Washington|Richland]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visittri-cities.com/ |title=Tri Cities Washington - Visit TriCities WA - Kennewick - Pasco - Richland - West Richland |publisher=Visittri-cities.com |access-date=2019-01-22}}</ref><ref name="Beaver2015">{{cite web |url=https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article32225670.html |title=Census: Tri-City population jumps 10 percent, brings challenges |work=Tri-City Herald |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118230641/https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article32225670.html |archive-date=November 18, 2017 |url-status=dead |first=Ty |last=Beaver |date=May 21, 2015 |access-date=May 22, 2018 }}</ref> at the confluence of the [[Yakima River|Yakima]], [[Snake River|Snake]], and [[Columbia River]]s in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Washington (state)|Washington]]. Located in the [[Columbia Plateau|Columbia Basin]] of [[Eastern Washington]], the cities border one another, making the Tri-Cities seem like one uninterrupted mid-sized city. The three cities function as the center of the [[Tri-Cities metropolitan area]], which consists of [[Benton County, Washington|Benton]] and [[Franklin County, Washington|Franklin counties]].<ref name="Census Reporter">{{cite web|url=https://censusreporter.org/profiles/31000US28420-kennewick-richland-wa-metro-area/ |title=Kennewick-Richland, WA Metro Area - Profile data |publisher=Census Reporter |access-date=2019-01-22}}</ref> The Tri-Cities [[United States urban area|urban area]] includes the city of [[West Richland, Washington|West Richland]], the [[census-designated place]]s (CDP) of [[West Pasco, Washington|West Pasco]] and [[Finley, Washington|Finley]], as well as the CDP of [[Burbank, Washington|Burbank]], despite the latter being located in [[Walla Walla County, Washington|Walla Walla County]].

The official 2023 estimate of the Tri-Cities MSA population is 314,253, a more than 24% increase from 2010, while the combined population of the three principal cities themselves was 228,482 according to 2023 estimates from the [[United States Census Bureau]].

[[Tri-Cities Airport (Washington)|Tri-Cities Airport]] is located in Pasco and provides the region with commercial and private air service. Pasco is the seat of Franklin County, while the other two cities are located in Benton County. In 2010, [[Kiplinger]] rated the Tri-Cities among the Top 10 best places to raise a family, and CNN/Money ranked the Tri-Cities one of the top 10 best bets for gains in housing value, due to its relatively stable economic conditions since the early 2000s.<ref name="Christie2010">{{cite web |url=https://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/real_estate/1002/gallery.Housing_recovery_bets/2.html |title=Housing: Best recovery bets |publisher=CNN Money|date=February 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715022337/https://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/real_estate/1002/gallery.Housing_recovery_bets/2.html |archive-date=July 15, 2016 |url-status=live |first=Les |last=Christie}}</ref>

==Area history==
{{Main|Timeline of the Tri-Cities, Washington}}

===Founding===
[[Image:RichlandWaBadgerTrail-d.jpg|thumb|left|220px|Central Richland as seen from [[Badger Mountain (Benton County, Washington)|Badger Mountain]]]]
Pasco was the first of the Tri-Cities to be incorporated, in 1891. Kennewick was incorporated in 1904, and Richland followed in 1910. [[West Richland]]—a suburb of Richland, as well as the fourth largest city in the metropolitan area—was founded by dissatisfied residents of Richland, who wished to be home owners rather than renters of government-owned houses, after the arrival of [[Hanford Site|Hanford]]. Despite attempts by Richland to annex the community, they remained separate and eventually became incorporated in 1955.

===Early history===
Pasco was the largest city in the Tri-Cities, mostly due to [[Pasco Intermodal Train Station|its railroad station]]. It also had the most land for easy irrigation and [[farming]] and was still the largest up until the founding of Hanford near Richland.

Farming was the basis of virtually every sector of the economy in the early years. Indeed, the area remained mostly rural well into the 1940s. It did not have a daily newspaper or radio station until the mid-1940s. Even today, agriculture is a big part of the Tri-Cities, Pasco in particular.

===1940s–1970s===
After the founding of the [[Hanford Site]] in 1943 as part of the [[Manhattan Project]], Richland became the largest city of the three overnight. Richland's [[Richland High School (Washington)|Columbia High School]] adopted "Bombers" as its mascot (complete with mushroom cloud logo). In 1970, [[Kamiakin High School]] (in the neighboring city of Kennewick) was founded in response to the continued influx of people. The economy continued to grow, but not without some turbulence. Every time the Hanford facilities experienced reduced funding, thousands of people would suddenly become jobless.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}} During this time, other employers slowly made their way into the area, but they too would often be forced to cut jobs in the bad times. Since the 1970s, Kennewick has had the greatest population of the three cities. The [[Columbia Center Mall]] opened in 1969 on land newly incorporated into Kennewick, drawing growth to western Kennewick and south Richland.<ref name="FindlayHevly2011">{{cite book |first1=John M. |last1=Findlay |first2=Bruce |last2=Hevly |title=Atomic Frontier Days: Hanford and the American West |date=2011 |publisher=University of Washington Press |location=Seattle |page=131 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YSqUHZQ4tXsC&pg=PA131 |series=Emil and Kathleen Sick Series in Western History and Biography |isbn=978-0-295-80298-5 |lccn=2011004808 |oclc=820530076 |chapter=The Atomic City of the West: Richland and the Tri-Cities |quote=Kennewick also grew by becoming the leading retailer of the Tri-Cities with the completion of the Columbia Center shopping mall in 1969.}}</ref>

===1980s–1990s===
[[Image:RichlandWaEMSL.jpg|thumb|right|284px|The Environmental Molecular Science Laboratory at [[Pacific Northwest National Laboratory]], a major national [[laboratory]] in Richland]]
Completion of the [[Interstate 182 Bridge]] in 1984 made Pasco much more accessible, fueling the growth of that city.<ref>{{cite news |first=Joel |last=Connelly |title=We have to live with our transit decisions |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/connelly/244857_joel17.html |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |publisher=Hearst Newspapers |date=October 17, 2005 |access-date=March 31, 2008}}</ref> With the end of the Cold War, many in the area feared a shutdown of Hanford, followed by the Tri-Cities quickly becoming a [[ghost town]]. These fears were allayed after the [[United States Department of Energy]] switched the facility's purpose from the creation of nuclear weapons to the effective sealing and disposal of [[radioactive waste]]. During the 1990s, several major corporations entered the Tri-Cities, which helped to begin diversifying the [[economy]] apart from the Hanford sector. In 1995, a sixth public high school, [[Southridge High School (Kennewick)|Southridge High]], was founded in south Kennewick.

===2000s–present===
The 2000s saw continued rapid growth as the Hanford site hired hundreds of workers to help with the cleanup effort. Additionally, the Tri-Cities saw a large influx of retirees from various areas of the Northwest. During this time, and the corresponding nationwide housing boom, all three cities flourished and grew significantly. Pasco became the fastest growing city in Washington (in terms of both percent increase and number of new residents). In 2005, the [[Census Bureau]] reported that Pasco's population had surpassed Richland's for the first time since pre-Hanford days. Fueled by the boom, [[Chiawana High School]] was founded, and by 2019 had become the largest high school in the entire state.

Despite the economic recession of the late 2000s, the Tri-Cities area continued to maintain steady growth and a stable economic climate due in part to the [[American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009]] which directed funding and jobs to the Hanford site and its various cleanup efforts.

==Climate and geography==
[[Image:RichlandWaRattlesnakeYakima.jpg|thumb|upright|The view of [[Rattlesnake Mountain (Benton County, Washington)|Rattlesnake Mountain]], a windswept and treeless ridge 1,060 meters high, from the Horn Rapids Golf Course in Richland.]]The Tri-Cities are in a [[semi-arid climate]],<ref name="Washington Biodiversity Project">{{cite web |title=Columbia Plateau Ecoregion: Biodiversity |publisher=Washington Biodiversity Project |url=http://www.biodiversity.wa.gov/ecoregions/columbia_plateau/columbia_plateau.html |access-date=July 10, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624222924/http://www.biodiversity.wa.gov/ecoregions/columbia_plateau/columbia_plateau.html |archive-date=June 24, 2008}}</ref> receiving an average of {{convert|5|to|7|in|mm}} of precipitation every year. Winds periodically exceed {{convert|30|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} when [[Chinook wind]] conditions exist. While there are an average 225 clear days every year, these are mainly between April 1 and November 1.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.co.benton.wa.us/pView.aspx?id=1606&catid=45 |title=Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria |publisher=Benton County [Washington] |access-date=February 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100818095458/http://www.co.benton.wa.us/pView.aspx?id=1606&catid=45|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 18, 2010}}</ref> Temperatures range from as low as {{convert|-10|°F|°C|abbr=on}} in the winter (record low {{convert|-29|°F|°C|abbr=on}} in December 1919) to as high as {{convert|110|°F|°C|abbr=on}} in the summer, and Richland reached {{convert|118|°F|°C|abbr=on}} during the [[2021 Western North America heat wave]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cary |first=Annette |date=5 September 2021 |title=Summer 2021 was one for the record books for the Tri-Cities |work=[[Wenatchee World]] |url=https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/summer-2021-was-one-for-the-record-books-for-the-tri-cities/article_2b0db5dc-0f10-11ec-8fff-8b738d42869a.html |access-date=15 April 2023}}</ref> The region receives a yearly average of seven inches of [[snow]] but has received as much as 50&nbsp;inches.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.go2kennewick.com/go2kennewick/default.aspx?option=com_flexicontent&view=items&cid=304&id=330&Itemid=362 |title=Snow & Ice - The Winter Challenge |author=COK |access-date=December 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222060346/http://www.go2kennewick.com/go2kennewick/default.aspx?option=com_flexicontent&view=items&cid=304&id=330&Itemid=362 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> Due to the semi-arid climate and subsequent large amounts of sand, a perpetual annoyance to residents is the amount of dust blown about by the frequent winds. Thanks to the aforementioned rivers, a large amount of cheap [[irrigation]] is available.

Washington is the most northwest of the [[lower 48]] [[U.S. state|state]]s—consequently, the area is in the [[Pacific Standard Time Zone]]. The Tri-Cities makes up the largest metropolitan area in the southeastern quadrant of Washington. The large [[Cascade Range|Cascade Mountain Range]] to the west contributes to the semi-arid climate, which is far drier than the famously wet [[Western Washington|western side]] of the state. See [[rain shadow]] for more information on this phenomenon. The region's climate results in a [[shrub-steppe]] ecosystem<ref>
{{cite web |title=Shrub Steppe Ecology |publisher=Washington State University Tri-Cities |url=http://www.tricity.wsu.edu/shrub_steppe/index.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040327142631/http://www.tricity.wsu.edu/shrub_steppe/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 27, 2004 |access-date=July 10, 2008}}</ref> which has 18 endemic plant species.<ref name="Washington Biodiversity Project"/> Just west of Richland, the [[Arid Lands Ecology Reserve|Fitzner/Eberhardt Arid Lands Ecology Reserve]] was established to study the unique plants and animals found in the local shrub steppe ecosystem. It is the largest tract of shrub-steppe ecosystem remaining in the U.S. state of Washington.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fws.gov/hanfordreach/documents/alefactsheet.pdf |title=Fitzner/Eberhardt Arid Lands Ecology Reserve Fact Sheet |publisher=U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Hanford Reach National Monument |date=August 2002 |access-date=July 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081030044139/http://www.fws.gov/hanfordreach/documents/alefactsheet.pdf |archive-date=October 30, 2008}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Tri-Cities, Washington ([[Tri-Cities Airport (Washington)|Tri-Cities Airport]]), 1991&ndash;2020 normals, extremes 1894&ndash;present
|single line = Y

|Jan record high F = 74
|Feb record high F = 74
|Mar record high F = 87
|Apr record high F = 95
|May record high F = 104
|Jun record high F = 115
|Jul record high F = 115
|Aug record high F = 115
|Sep record high F = 102
|Oct record high F = 90
|Nov record high F = 78
|Dec record high F = 71

|Jan avg record high F = 58.9
|Feb avg record high F = 61.9
|Mar avg record high F = 71.8
|Apr avg record high F = 82.6
|May avg record high F = 92.4
|Jun avg record high F = 98.9
|Jul avg record high F = 104.7
|Aug avg record high F = 102.5
|Sep avg record high F = 93.5
|Oct avg record high F = 80.8
|Nov avg record high F = 67.8
|Dec avg record high F = 59.3
|year avg record high F = 105.7

|Jan high F = 41.4
|Feb high F = 48.6
|Mar high F = 58.6
|Apr high F = 67.0
|May high F = 76.5
|Jun high F = 83.1
|Jul high F = 92.5
|Aug high F = 90.7
|Sep high F = 80.9
|Oct high F = 65.8
|Nov high F = 49.9
|Dec high F = 41.0
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 34.6
|Feb mean F = 38.4
|Mar mean F = 45.8
|Apr mean F = 52.7
|May mean F = 61.4
|Jun mean F = 67.8
|Jul mean F = 74.7
|Aug mean F = 73.2
|Sep mean F = 64.2
|Oct mean F = 52.1
|Nov mean F = 40.9
|Dec mean F = 34.1
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 27.8
|Feb low F = 28.2
|Mar low F = 33.1
|Apr low F = 38.4
|May low F = 46.3
|Jun low F = 52.6
|Jul low F = 56.9
|Aug low F = 55.7
|Sep low F = 47.6
|Oct low F = 38.4
|Nov low F = 31.9
|Dec low F = 27.3
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 11.7
|Feb avg record low F = 14.6
|Mar avg record low F = 21.4
|Apr avg record low F = 27.8
|May avg record low F = 34.1
|Jun avg record low F = 43.0
|Jul avg record low F = 48.4
|Aug avg record low F = 47.0
|Sep avg record low F = 37.1
|Oct avg record low F = 24.7
|Nov avg record low F = 17.8
|Dec avg record low F = 12.0
|year avg record low F = 4.1

|Jan record low F = -27
|Feb record low F = -23
|Mar record low F = -1
|Apr record low F = 18
|May record low F = 26
|Jun record low F = 35
|Jul record low F = 38
|Aug record low F = 37
|Sep record low F = 21
|Oct record low F = 9
|Nov record low F = -8
|Dec record low F = -29

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 1.03
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.63
|Mar precipitation inch = 0.69
|Apr precipitation inch = 0.66
|May precipitation inch = 0.71
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.61
|Jul precipitation inch = 0.15
|Aug precipitation inch = 0.27
|Sep precipitation inch = 0.31
|Oct precipitation inch = 0.66
|Nov precipitation inch = 0.87
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.03
|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 10.0
|Feb precipitation days = 7.8
|Mar precipitation days = 7.6
|Apr precipitation days = 6.7
|May precipitation days = 7.2
|Jun precipitation days = 5.0
|Jul precipitation days = 1.8
|Aug precipitation days = 2.1
|Sep precipitation days = 3.0
|Oct precipitation days = 6.3
|Nov precipitation days = 9.0
|Dec precipitation days = 10.3

|Jan snow inch = 4.0
|Feb snow inch = 1.9
|Mar snow inch = 0.1
|Apr snow inch = 0.0
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.0
|Nov snow inch = 0.9
|Dec snow inch = 2.5
|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 2.5
|Feb snow days = 1.1
|Mar snow days = 0.1
|Apr snow days = 0.0
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.0
|Nov snow days = 0.5
|Dec snow days = 1.6

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USW00024163&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Pasco Tri Cities AP, WA
|access-date = April 15, 2023
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service (snow/snow days 1894&ndash;2019)<ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=pdt
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Pendleton
|access-date = April 15, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

{{Weather box
|location = Kennewick, Washington, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1894–present
|single line = Yes
|collapsed = Yes

|Jan record high F = 74
|Feb record high F = 74
|Mar record high F = 87
|Apr record high F = 95
|May record high F = 104
|Jun record high F = 114
|Jul record high F = 115
|Aug record high F = 115
|Sep record high F = 100
|Oct record high F = 89
|Nov record high F = 79
|Dec record high F = 72
|year record high F =

|Jan avg record high F = 59.5
|Feb avg record high F = 61.8
|Mar avg record high F = 70.8
|Apr avg record high F = 81.5
|May avg record high F = 91.4
|Jun avg record high F = 97.9
|Jul avg record high F = 103.4
|Aug avg record high F = 102.1
|Sep avg record high F = 92.9
|Oct avg record high F = 80.1
|Nov avg record high F = 68.1
|Dec avg record high F = 59.8
|year avg record high F = 104.4

|Jan high F = 41.7
|Feb high F = 48.1
|Mar high F = 58.1
|Apr high F = 66.3
|May high F = 75.3
|Jun high F = 82.0
|Jul high F = 91.3
|Aug high F = 90.3
|Sep high F = 80.5
|Oct high F = 65.9
|Nov high F = 50.9
|Dec high F = 41.5

|Jan mean F = 35.5
|Feb mean F = 39.5
|Mar mean F = 47.0
|Apr mean F = 54.3
|May mean F = 62.7
|Jun mean F = 69.2
|Jul mean F = 76.8
|Aug mean F = 75.8
|Sep mean F = 66.8
|Oct mean F = 54.5
|Nov mean F = 42.9
|Dec mean F = 35.6
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 29.6
|Feb low F = 31.0
|Mar low F = 36.2
|Apr low F = 42.5
|May low F = 50.4
|Jun low F = 56.7
|Jul low F = 62.7
|Aug low F = 61.6
|Sep low F = 53.5
|Oct low F = 43.4
|Nov low F = 35.2
|Dec low F = 30.0

|Jan avg record low F = 15.3
|Feb avg record low F = 18.8
|Mar avg record low F = 26.1
|Apr avg record low F = 33.5
|May avg record low F = 40.1
|Jun avg record low F = 48.4
|Jul avg record low F = 54.5
|Aug avg record low F = 53.3
|Sep avg record low F = 43.8
|Oct avg record low F = 30.7
|Nov avg record low F = 22.5
|Dec avg record low F = 16.8
|year avg record low F = 10.0

|Jan record low F = -27
|Feb record low F = -23
|Mar record low F = 8
|Apr record low F = 18
|May record low F = 26
|Jun record low F = 35
|Jul record low F = 38
|Aug record low F = 37
|Sep record low F = 21
|Oct record low F = 14
|Nov record low F = -8
|Dec record low F = -29
|year record low F =

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 1.13
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.79
|Mar precipitation inch = 0.66
|Apr precipitation inch = 0.61
|May precipitation inch = 0.81
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.59
|Jul precipitation inch = 0.20
|Aug precipitation inch = 0.17
|Sep precipitation inch = 0.26
|Oct precipitation inch = 0.66
|Nov precipitation inch = 0.86
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.13

|Jan snow inch = 1.3
|Feb snow inch = 0.1
|Mar snow inch = 0.0
|Apr snow inch = 0.0
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.0
|Nov snow inch = 0.4
|Dec snow inch = 0.4

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 11.1
|Feb precipitation days = 8.1
|Mar precipitation days = 7.8
|Apr precipitation days = 6.9
|May precipitation days = 6.3
|Jun precipitation days = 4.7
|Jul precipitation days = 2.1
|Aug precipitation days = 1.9
|Sep precipitation days = 2.6
|Oct precipitation days = 6.3
|Nov precipitation days = 8.9
|Dec precipitation days = 10.5

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 0.8
|Feb snow days = 0.1
|Mar snow days = 0.0
|Apr snow days = 0.0
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.0
|Nov snow days = 0.3
|Dec snow days = 0.6

|source 1 = NOAA<ref>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00454154&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access
|access-date = April 15, 2023
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service<ref>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=pdt
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data
|access-date = April 15, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

{{Weather box
|location = Richland, Washington, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1944–present
|single line = Yes
|collapsed = Yes

|Jan record high F = 71
|Feb record high F = 73
|Mar record high F = 82
|Apr record high F = 92
|May record high F = 105
|Jun record high F = 112
|Jul record high F = 113
|Aug record high F = 113
|Sep record high F = 106
|Oct record high F = 93
|Nov record high F = 78
|Dec record high F = 69

|Jan avg record high F = 57.6
|Feb avg record high F = 60.4
|Mar avg record high F = 70.0
|Apr avg record high F = 79.9
|May avg record high F = 89.3
|Jun avg record high F = 95.2
|Jul avg record high F = 101.5
|Aug avg record high F = 99.9
|Sep avg record high F = 91.5
|Oct avg record high F = 78.6
|Nov avg record high F = 66.0
|Dec avg record high F = 58.2
|year avg record high F = 102.4

|Jan high F = 40.6
|Feb high F = 47.5
|Mar high F = 57.1
|Apr high F = 65.1
|May high F = 73.9
|Jun high F = 80.2
|Jul high F = 89.3
|Aug high F = 88.1
|Sep high F = 78.9
|Oct high F = 64.3
|Nov high F = 49.0
|Dec high F = 39.9
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 34.7
|Feb mean F = 38.8
|Mar mean F = 46.1
|Apr mean F = 53.0
|May mean F = 61.1
|Jun mean F = 67.3
|Jul mean F = 74.7
|Aug mean F = 73.6
|Sep mean F = 65.2
|Oct mean F = 53.0
|Nov mean F = 41.3
|Dec mean F = 34.1
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 28.8
|Feb low F = 30.1
|Mar low F = 35.1
|Apr low F = 41.0
|May low F = 48.3
|Jun low F = 54.4
|Jul low F = 60.0
|Aug low F = 59.0
|Sep low F = 51.4
|Oct low F = 41.7
|Nov low F = 33.6
|Dec low F = 28.4
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 13.0
|Feb avg record low F = 16.8
|Mar avg record low F = 24.3
|Apr avg record low F = 30.7
|May avg record low F = 37.5
|Jun avg record low F = 46.1
|Jul avg record low F = 52.0
|Aug avg record low F = 50.7
|Sep avg record low F = 40.9
|Oct avg record low F = 28.3
|Nov avg record low F = 19.9
|Dec avg record low F = 14.6
|year avg record low F = 7.9

|Jan record low F = -21
|Feb record low F = -22
|Mar record low F = 7
|Apr record low F = 23
|May record low F = 30
|Jun record low F = 38
|Jul record low F = 41
|Aug record low F = 39
|Sep record low F = 31
|Oct record low F = 13
|Nov record low F = -6
|Dec record low F = -10

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 1.04
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.67
|Mar precipitation inch = 0.64
|Apr precipitation inch = 0.62
|May precipitation inch = 0.63
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.56
|Jul precipitation inch = 0.23
|Aug precipitation inch = 0.13
|Sep precipitation inch = 0.29
|Oct precipitation inch = 0.54
|Nov precipitation inch = 0.87
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.07
|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 11.8
|Feb precipitation days = 8.7
|Mar precipitation days = 8.1
|Apr precipitation days = 7.1
|May precipitation days = 7.1
|Jun precipitation days = 4.7
|Jul precipitation days = 2.2
|Aug precipitation days = 2.1
|Sep precipitation days = 3.1
|Oct precipitation days = 6.7
|Nov precipitation days = 10.3
|Dec precipitation days = 11.9

|Jan snow inch = 1.9
|Feb snow inch = 1.9
|Mar snow inch = 0.2
|Apr snow inch = 0.0
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = trace
|Nov snow inch = 0.1
|Dec snow inch = 2.3
|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 1.5
|Feb snow days = 0.9
|Mar snow days = 0.3
|Apr snow days = 0.0
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.0
|Nov snow days = 0.4
|Dec snow days = 1.9
|year snow days = 5.0

|source 1 = NOAA (snow/snow days 1981&ndash;2010)<ref>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00457015&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Richland, WA (1991&ndash;2020)
|access-date = April 15, 2023
}}
</ref><ref>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly&stations=USC00457015&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Richland, WA (1981&ndash;2010)
|access-date = April 15, 2023
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name="NOWData"/>
}}

[[File:ColumbiaBasin NorthernLights 2013.jpg|thumb|Aurora Borealis as seen approximately 25 miles north of Pasco, WA in May 2013]]

Limited city lights and an absence of photopollution in the Tri-Cities area allow for naked-eye and telescopic astronomy. The Tri-City Astronomy Club partners holds star gazing events at the Hanford Observatory.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.tricityastronomyclub.org/ | title=Mysite}}</ref> Hiking locations, such as [[Badger Mountain (Tri-Cities)|Badger Mountain]], [[Candy Mountain (Washington)|Candy Mountain]] and [[Jump Off Joe (Washington)|Jump Off Joe]] Butte, provide views of sunrises and sunsets, studies of celestial bodies and stellar astronomy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/badger-mountain-1|title=Badger Mountain- Skyline Loop|date=January 28, 2019|website=Washington Trails Association}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} The [[Aurora (astronomy)|aurora borealis]] (or northern lights) is sometimes visible near Tri-Cities at specific times of the year.<ref name="Northern Lights 2013">{{cite news |last=Tuthill |first=Samantha-Rae |title=Dazzling Northern Lights Anticipated Tonight |url=http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/dazzling-northern-lights-antic-1/10107004 |access-date=June 2, 2013 |newspaper=AccuWeather |date=April 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612010916/http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/dazzling-northern-lights-antic-1/10107004 |archive-date=June 12, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Northern Lights 2011">{{cite web |work=Tri-City Herald |title=Northern Lights may be visible today in Tri-Cities |url=http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/08/06/1595138/northern-lights-may-be-visible.html |access-date=June 2, 2013 |date=August 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619211233/http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/08/06/1595138/northern-lights-may-be-visible.html |archive-date=June 19, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Education==

===Colleges and universities===
Higher education institutions in the Tri-Cities area include:

*[[Washington State University Tri-Cities]], a four-year [[branch campus]] of [[Washington State University]] located in Richland (2000 students).
*[[Columbia Basin College]], a two-year institution which offers a four-year [[Bachelor of Applied Science]] program in Applied Management (8,000 students). The main campus is located in Pasco while a branch campus and a nursing school are located in Richland.
*Tri-Tech Skills Center, a smaller [[vocational school]] run by the Kennewick School District and located in Kennewick. Students from Pasco School District and Richland School District Can also apply to Tri-Tech. 
*[[Charter College (United States)|Charter College]], located in Pasco offering technical and medical programs such as Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting and HVAC.

In 2005, the State of Washington approved the transition of the existing [[Washington State University]] branch campus in Richland from a two-year to a four-year campus. In the fall of 2007 the campus admitted its first undergraduate students. Offering a range of programs, the campus focuses on [[biotechnology]], [[computer science]], and [[engineering]], due to the nearby [[Pacific Northwest National Laboratory]] and Hanford Site. The university also offers a range of majors, including [[English studies|English]], [[history]], and other [[liberal arts]] and sciences.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tricities.wsu.edu/degree-offerings/|title=Degree Programs Offered at Washington State University in Richland, WA|website=Washington State University|access-date=May 9, 2019}}</ref>

Columbia Basin College also offers higher education courses for residents of the Tri-Cities, as well as the [[Columbia River Drainage Basin|Columbia Basin]] from [[Mattawa, Washington]], which is {{convert|50|mi|km}} away, to [[Umatilla, Oregon]], {{convert|30|mi|km}} away.

===Primary and secondary schools===
Each city provides its own schooling services through their respective school districts—[[Kennewick School District|Kennewick]]'s, [[Pasco School District|Pasco]]'s, and [[Richland School District (Washington)|Richland]]'s.

Public high schools in the [[Kennewick School District]] include [[Kennewick High School]], [[Kamiakin High School]], [[Southridge High School (Kennewick)|Southridge High School]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=High Schools in Kennewick School District |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/washington/districts/kennewick-school-district-106230 |access-date=October 10, 2024 |website=USNews}}</ref> Public high schools in the [[Pasco School District (Washington)|Pasco School District]] are [[Pasco High School (Washington)|Pasco High School]], [[Chiawana High School]], and New Horizons High School.<ref>{{Cite web |title=High Schools in Pasco School District |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/washington/districts/pasco-school-district-106396 |access-date=October 10, 2024 |website=USNews}}</ref> In the [[Richland School District (Washington)|Richland School District]], public high schools include [[Richland High School (Washington)|Richland High School]], [[Hanford High School]], and River's Edge High School.<ref>{{Cite web |title=High Schools in Richland School District |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/washington/districts/richland-school-district-100816 |access-date=October 10, 2024 |website=USNews}}</ref>

The area also contains two regional high schools, Tri-Tech and [[Delta High School (Washington)|Delta High]]. Tri-Tech is a technical/vocational high school in the Kennewick School District that is attended by students from all over the Tri-Cities area. Delta High is a science and technology focused high school located in Pasco. It is sponsored by Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland's school districts, Battelle, Washington State University Tri-Cities, and Columbia Basin College.

There are also several private and faith-based schools in the area, including [[Tri-Cities Prep Highschool (Pasco, Washington)|Tri-Cities Prep Highschool (Pasco)]], Kingspoint Christian School K–12 (Pasco),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://Kingspoint.org |title=Kingspoint Christian School |publisher=Kingspoint.org |access-date=2019-01-22}}</ref> Tri-Cities Adventist School (Pasco),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tricity24.adventistschoolconnect.org/article/2/about-our-school |title=About Our School : Tri-City Adventist School Pasco WA |access-date=March 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315120456/http://tricity24.adventistschoolconnect.org/article/2/about-our-school |archive-date=March 15, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Liberty Christian School (Richland),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Liberty Christian School |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/washington/liberty-christian-school-312930 |access-date=October 10, 2024 |website=USNews}}</ref> Bethlehem Lutheran K–8 (Kennewick),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bethlehem Lutheran School |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/washington/bethlehem-lutheran-school-311904 |access-date=October 10, 2024 |website=USNews}}</ref> and Calvary Christian School K–8 (Kennewick).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Calvary Christian School |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/washington/calvary-christian-school-319478 |access-date=October 10, 2024 |website=USNews}}</ref>

==Industry==

===Early Hanford===
In the 1940s, the [[Hanford site]] employed a majority of residents. The [[United States government]] built a top-secret facility to produce and separate plutonium for [[nuclear weapon]]s, and decided on an area just north of then-tiny Richland. The government built temporary quarters for the more than 45,000 workers and built permanent homes and infrastructure for other personnel in Richland. The city had an overnight population explosion, yet virtually no one knew what the purpose of Hanford was until the destruction of [[Nagasaki, Nagasaki|Nagasaki]] on August 9, 1945, by an atomic weapon containing Hanford-produced plutonium. After [[World War II]] Hanford continued work on creating material for nuclear weapons during the [[Cold War]]. After the fall of the [[USSR]] in 1991, Hanford, the site of severe nuclear contamination, changed its mission from plutonium production to environmental cleanup and restoration.<ref>{{cite web |title=Richland Operations Office Cleanup Progress |publisher=United States Department of Energy |url=http://www.hanford.gov/rl/?page=44&parent=0 |access-date=July 10, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503022054/http://www.hanford.gov/rl/?page=44&parent=0 |archive-date=May 3, 2008}}</ref>

===Modern Hanford===

The Hanford site is one of the largest cleanup projects in the United States, costing over $1.4&nbsp;million per day<ref>Lisa Stiffler, [http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Hanford-cleanup-cost-soars-to-11-3-billion-1202373.php "Hanford cleanup cost soars to $11.3 billion ... if Congress will pay"], ''Seattle Pi'', April 30, 2006,</ref> to turn over {{convert|53|e6USgal|lk=out}} of nuclear waste into glass through a process called vitrification.<ref>Matthew Wald, {{cite news |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F04E3D71638F935A25752C0A96E958260 |title=Panel Details Management Flaws at Hanford Nuclear Waste Site |access-date=January 29, 2007 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611085657/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F04E3D71638F935A25752C0A96E958260 |archive-date=June 11, 2008|newspaper=The New York Times |date=January 16, 1998 |last1=Wald |first1=Matthew L. }}, ''The New York Times'', January 16, 1998</ref> Vitrification is a proven technique in the disposal and long-term storage of [[nuclear waste]] or other hazardous wastes.<ref>M.I. Ojovan, W.E. Lee. Glassy wasteforms for nuclear waste immobilisation. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, 42 (4), 837–851 (2011).</ref> Original estimates were $2.8&nbsp;billion over five years to clean up the waste,<ref>Keith Schneider, [https://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/28/us/agreement-set-for-a-cleanup-at-nuclear-site.html "Agreement Set For a Cleanup At Nuclear Site", ''New York Times'', February 28, 1989]</ref> though estimates quickly grew in the early 1990s to $50&nbsp;billion with a completion date of 30 years.<ref>{{cite web|last=Geranios |first=Nicholas K. |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19930812/1715638/hanford-cleanup-now-expected-to-cost-trillions |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522003420/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19930812&slug=1715638 |url-status=live |archive-date=2018-05-22 |title=Local News &#124; Hanford Cleanup Now Expected To Cost Trillions |date=May 22, 2018 |access-date=2019-01-22}}</ref> As of 2021, the additional cost to complete cleanup is now projected to be between $300 and $640 billion with an estimated completion date of 2078.<ref>{{cite web|title=Local news|url=https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/hanford/article257924898.html|website=tri-cityherald.com}}{{subscription required}}</ref> Over 18&nbsp;percent of all jobs in the Benton Franklin County area are nuclear-related, research-related, or engineering.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tridec.org/site_selection/tri-cities_demographics/major_industry_employers/ |title=Tridec &#124; Tri-Cities Washington Development Council |access-date=June 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213065319/http://www.tridec.org/site_selection/tri-cities_demographics/major_industry_employers/ |archive-date=February 13, 2013 |url-status=dead  }}</ref><ref name="energy-northwest.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.energy-northwest.com/ourenergyprojects/Columbia/Pages/default.aspx |title=Columbia Generating Station |publisher=Energy-northwest.com |access-date=2019-01-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003075833/https://www.energy-northwest.com/ourenergyprojects/Columbia/Pages/default.aspx |archive-date=October 3, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Columbia Generating Station===

The [[Columbia Generating Station]] operates ten miles outside of Richland and is the only nuclear power station in the Pacific Northwest. It uses a boiling water reactor with a type 5 layout and was relicensed 10 years to operate until 2043.<ref>John Pearson,[http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/07/columbia_generating_station_wh.html "Columbia Generating Station: Why relicense a nuclear power plant 10 years early?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304080706/http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/07/columbia_generating_station_wh.html |date=March 4, 2016 }} The Oregonian, July 30, 2012</ref> After nine years of construction, the plant began operating after a long and costly construction process that resulted in the largest [[municipal bond]] [[default (finance)|default]] in U.S. history.<ref name="historylink.org">David Wilma [http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&File_Id=5482 "Washington Public Power Supply System (WPPSS)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619151427/http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&File_Id=5482 |date=June 19, 2015 }} Historylink, date last accessed October 17, 2013</ref> Originally operated and owned by the [[Washington Public Power Supply System]] (WPPSS), the coalition changed its name to Energy Northwest in 1998 because of the negative association with the original name (commonly pronounced "Whoops" in place of WPPSS).<ref name="historylink.org"/> WPPSS defaulted on $2.25&nbsp;billion in bonds resulting in payments that exceeded $12,000 per customer, an amount which was finally paid out in 1992 (10 years later).<ref name="historylink.org"/><ref>From Times Staff [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-11-04-fi-1232-story.html "Other News"] LA Times, November 4, 1992</ref><ref>James T. Bennett and Thomas J. DiLorenzo [http://www.cato.org/publications/policy-analysis/wppss-default-not-only-budget-boondoggle The WPPSS Default: Not the Only Off-Budget Boondoggle] CATO Institute, October 14, 1983</ref> Its 1,190 gross megawatts can power the city of Seattle, and is equivalent to about 10 percent of the electricity generated in Washington and 4 percent of all electricity used in the Pacific Northwest  <ref name="energy-northwest.com"/> and has several safeguards to protect against seismic, natural, or terrorist threats.<ref>Jeff Humpfrey [https://web.archive.org/web/20131019120833/http://www.kxly.com/news/Is-Columbia-Generating-Station-Safe/-/101270/680194/-/dg7iyq/-/index.html "Is Columbia Generating Station Safe?"] KXLY, September 9, 2011</ref>

===Agriculture===
The Tri-Cities economy has historically been based on farming and the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. From Pasco's [[incorporation (municipal government)|incorporation]] in 1891 to present day, the Tri-Cities have had a large degree of farming thanks to irrigation by the three nearby rivers. [[Wheat]] is the most commonly grown product; however, large amounts of [[apple]]s, [[maize|corn]], [[grape]]s are also grown, along with [[potato]]es, and other products including [[asparagus]]. Cherries are also grown in the region.

[[File:Wheat field located east of Douglas Fruit Company in Pasco.jpg|thumb|320x265px|left|Photo taken along Clark Rd in Pasco, WA.]]

Grapes grown in the region are essential to the wine industry. Wineries draw a large population of tourists. With 160 wineries in the Columbia Valley,<ref name="Wine Country">{{cite web |title=The Heart of Washington Wine Country |url=http://www.visittri-cities.com/visitors/wine/ |work=Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau |access-date=June 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621131742/http://www.visittri-cities.com/visitors/wine/ |archive-date=June 21, 2013 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> this industry accounts for $1 billion annually in Benton County alone.<ref name="Wine Industry">{{cite web |last=Perdue |first=Andy |title=New study shows Washington wine industry worth $8.6 billion |url=http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/04/24/1915381/wine-state-industry-worth-86-billion.html |work=Tri-City Herald |access-date=June 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507215339/http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/04/24/1915381/wine-state-industry-worth-86-billion.html |archive-date=May 7, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Tri-Cities' climate allows the region to have a broad and sustainable agricultural economy. Local industries provide employment for thousands of people in the Tri-Cities area. Some of the top 20 employers in agriculture include ConAgra, Tyson Foods, and Broetje Orchards.<ref name=Tridec>{{cite web |title=Major Industry Employers |url=http://www.tridec.org/site_selection/tri-cities_demographics/major_industry_employers/ |work=Tri-City Development Council |access-date=June 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213065319/http://www.tridec.org/site_selection/tri-cities_demographics/major_industry_employers/ |archive-date=February 13, 2013 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> Agriculture makes up 9.5% of employment in Tri-Cities<ref name="Washington Crops">{{cite web |last=Pihl |first=Kristi |title=Washington No. 1 in ag&nbsp;– and the Mid-Columbia grows most of those crops |url=http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/09/02/2083910/washington-no-1-in-ag-and-the.html |work=Tri-City Herald |access-date=June 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630113338/http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/09/02/2083910/washington-no-1-in-ag-and-the.html |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and local businesses combined employ thousands of people. In 2012, the state of Washington was rated No. 1 in the nation when it comes to growing apples, hops, spearmint oil, sweet cherries, pears, concord grapes and processing carrots.<ref name="Washington Crops"/> The Mid-Columbia region including the Tri-Cities grows most of these crops. The region's climate and irrigation from nearby rivers, like the Columbia, Snake, and Yakima rivers, allow farmers to produce corn, hay, wheat and potatoes. In Washington there are 39,500 farms; 1,630 of these farms are located in Benton County and 891 are located in Franklin County.<ref name="Washington Crops"/>

===Local cuisine===
[[File:Spudnuts.jpg|thumb|220x165px|right|The Spudnut Shop located in the Uptown Shopping Center in Richland]]
The Tri-Cities has a number of locally owned and operated restaurants. The Spudnut Shop, for example, located in northern Richland, was opened in 1948 and has been family-run ever since. The Travel Channel featured The Spudnut Shop and their donuts "made from potato flour and then deep-fried to perfection."<ref>{{cite web |last=D'Agenais |first=Laurel |title=Donut Paradise |url=http://www.travelchannel.com/interests/food-and-drink/articles/donut-paradise |access-date=October 12, 2013}}</ref> Carmine's, also a family owned restaurant in the region, served Italian food in a historic home that was constructed in downtown Kennewick in 1929. The owners retired in 2021, closing the restaurant after celebrating their 59th wedding anniversary.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tri-City Herald |title=Popular Tri-Cities Italian restaurant is closing its doors. |url=https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article236759313.html |access-date=October 9, 2021  }}</ref> Also notable is the BBQ restaurant Porter's which began as a food truck in Richland and has been featured on ''[[Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives]]'' hosted by [[Guy Fieri]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Food Network | title=Porter's Real Barbecue Restaurant on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives | url=https://www.dinersdriveinsdiveslocations.com/porters-real-barbecue-washington.html | access-date=October 9, 2021}}</ref>

===Wine and breweries===
In contrast to Seattle, the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains, and the rain forests of the Olympic Peninsula, the Columbia Valley enjoys long, warm, summer days, and crisp cool nights. The dry weather combined with rich volcanic soils and controlled irrigation produce near-perfect conditions for the cultivation of wine grapes.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

The range of varietals grown throughout the region include Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Riesling, and Pinot Noir.

[[File:Ice-Harbor.jpg|thumbnail|Ice Harbor Brewery]]
The Tri-Cities region has a rich winery culture that attract tourists and visitors to the area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Living in the Tri-Cities {{!}} PNNL |url=https://www.pnnl.gov/living-tri-cities |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=www.pnnl.gov}}</ref> Some of the local microbreweries include: Ice Harbor Brewery Company, Atomic Ale Brewpub and Eatery, and White Bluff Brewing. This brewery was founded in 1996 and has two locations in the Tri-Cities metropolitan area, one in downtown Kennewick and one on [[Clover Island]]. In 2010, Ice Harbor received a bronze award for their Sternwheeler Stout, Runaway Red Ale, Indian Pale Ale (IPA) and a Silver Award for their Tangerine "ExBEERience" Hefeweizen at the Washington Beer Awards competition.<ref>{{cite news |last=Herald Stagg |title=National Beer Magazine Honors Ice Harbor Brewery |url=http://www.iceharbor.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991003144617/http://www.iceharbor.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 3, 1999 |access-date=October 7, 2013 |newspaper=Tri-City Herald.com |date=October 15, 2013 }}</ref> Another micro-brewery, the Atomic Ale Brew Pub & Eatery, is located in Richland and serves as Tri-Cities oldest brewpub and was opened in 1997.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hulse |first=Loretto |title=Richland Atomic Ale Turning 15 |url=http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/02/11/1822013/richlands-atomic-ale-turning-15.html |date=October 7, 2013 |access-date=December 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619160155/http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/02/11/1822013/richlands-atomic-ale-turning-15.html |archive-date=June 19, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Farmers markets===
The Market at the Parkway in Richland, WA is a farmers market with takes place every Friday from June through October.<ref name="Richland Market"/> Local artists provide music and crafts, and Fresh produce, specialty foods, arts and crafts are sold at the Richland farmers market.<ref name="Richland Market">{{cite web |title=Market at the Parkway |url=http://marketattheparkway.com/ |publisher=Richland Farmers Market |access-date=June 2, 2013}}</ref>

The Pasco Farmers Market, which celebrated 25 years in 2013, takes place every Wednesday and Saturday morning beginning in May through the end of October, and consists primarily of fresh produce.<ref name="Pasco Market">{{cite news |last=Hulse |first=Loretto J. |title=Mid-Columbia farmers markets opening Saturday |url=http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/05/02/2380337/farmers-markets-open.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130628024605/http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/05/02/2380337/farmers-markets-open.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 28, 2013 |access-date=June 3, 2013 |newspaper=Tri-City Herald |date=May 2, 2013 }}</ref>

A farmers market, located at the corner of Benton Street and Kennewick Avenue, takes place on Thursday evenings and runs annually from the end of May through October.<ref name="Kennewick Market">{{cite web |title=A Weekly Neighborhood Market |url=http://southridgefarmersmarket.com/ |publisher=Southridge Farmers Market |access-date=June 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719150035/http://southridgefarmersmarket.com/ |archive-date=July 19, 2013 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

===Other industries===
The Tri-Cities is home to automobile manufacturer [[SSC North America]]. Other corporations with facilities in the Tri-Cities area include [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]], [[Areva]], [[Battelle Memorial Institute]], [[Bruker]], [[Lamb Weston]], [[Fluor Corporation]], [[Kaiser Aluminum]], [[Lampson International|Lampson Cranes]], [[Lockheed Martin]], [[Reser's Fine Foods]], [[Tyson Foods]], [[URS Corporation]], [[US Cellular]], UniWest, and [[Aecom]].{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

==Infrastructure==

===Hospitals===
Hospitals in the Tri-Cities are include Kadlec Regional Medical Center (Richland, Kennewick),<ref>http://erkennewick.kadlec.org/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201222445/http://erkennewick.kadlec.org/ |date=February 1, 2014 }} "Announcing Our New ER in Kennewick", Kadlec, Accessed January 26, 2014</ref> Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and Lourdes Medical Center (Downtown Pasco, Richland, West Pasco), and Trios Health (Downtown Kennewick and West Kennewick).<ref>Mike Linden, "Kennewick General Hospital Changing Their Name to Trios Health", KNDO23/KNDU25, Posted: October 8, 2013 1:31 PM PDT, [http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/23639702/kennewick-general-hospital-changing-their-name-to-trios-health], Accessed January 26, 2014</ref>

===Libraries===
Mid-Columbia Libraries, an intercounty library system serving Benton, Franklin, and Adams Counties, is based in Kennewick, Washington, and operates five public branch libraries in the Tri-Cities, and seven branch libraries in the surrounding area. Customers of Mid-Columbia Libraries have access to nearly 400,000 books, movies, magazines, and downloadable eBooks and audiobooks; the library system spends over $1 million annually on new materials and has the highest expenditure per capita for materials of any public library in Southeastern Washington.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sos.wa.gov/library/libraries/libDev/publications.aspx |title=Publications |publisher=Washington State Library |access-date=February 19, 2011 }}<!-- http://www.sos.wa.gov/robots.txt --></ref> Richland Public Library is a single library operated by the City of Richland and is not part of the much larger library system.

Public libraries in the Tri-Cities include:
*Mid-Columbia Libraries: Keewaydin Park Branch (Kennewick, Washington)
*Mid-Columbia Libraries: Kennewick Branch (Kennewick, Washington) - Main Library
*Mid-Columbia Libraries: Pasco Branch (Pasco, Washington)
*Mid-Columbia Libraries: West Pasco Branch (Pasco, Washington)
*Mid-Columbia Libraries: West Richland Branch (West Richland, WA)
*Richland Public Library (Richland, Washington)

Other libraries in the Tri-Cities include:
*Benton-Franklin County Law Library (Pasco, Washington)
*Columbia Basin College Library (Pasco)
*Columbia Basin Regional Medical Library (Richland, Washington)
*Neurological Resource Center Library (Richland, Washington)
*Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Technical Library (Richland, Washington)
*Washington State University Tri-Cities Library (Richland, Washington)

===Transportation===

====Airports====
Airports located the area include [[Tri-Cities Airport (Washington)|Tri-Cities Airport]] in Pasco {{Airport codes|PSC|KPSC}} which has passenger and commercial flights and [[Richland Airport (Washington)|Richland Airport]] in Richland {{Airport codes|RLD|KRLD}} which serves private aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://portofbenton.com/our-properties-facilities/airports/richland-airport/|title = Richland Airport - Port of Benton|date = July 28, 2020}}</ref>

====Interstates and major highways====
*[[Interstate 82 (Washington)|Interstate 82]] runs along the southern edge of Kennewick connecting the Tri-Cities with major cities like [[Seattle, Washington|Seattle]] via [[Interstate 90]], and both [[Portland, Oregon]] and [[Salt Lake City]] via [[Interstate 84 (west)|Interstate 84]].
*[[Interstate 182 (Washington)|Interstate 182]] follows the Yakima River through Richland, crosses the Columbia River on the [[Interstate 182 Bridge]], and continues through Pasco to its terminus with [[U.S. Route 395 (Washington)|U.S. Route 395]]
*[[US 395 (WA)|US 395]] runs north through Kennewick, crosses the Columbia River on the [[Blue Bridge (Washington)|Blue Bridge]] and continues through Pasco and then north to [[Interstate 90 in Washington|Interstate 90]] in [[Ritzville, Washington|Ritzville]], Washington.
*[[SR 397 (WA)|SR 397]] runs from [[Finley, Washington|Finley]] up to Pasco, crossing the Columbia River through the [[Cable Bridge]] continuing northbound to I-90 and [[Spokane, WA|Spokane]].
*[[US 12 (WA)|US 12]] is cosigned with Interstate 182 through the Tri-Cities and continues past [[U.S. Route 395 (Washington)|U.S. Route 395]] across the Snake River towards [[Burbank, Washington|Burbank]], Walla Walla, and [[Lewiston, Idaho|Lewiston]], Idaho.
*[[SR 240 (WA)|State Route 240]] runs from Kennewick through Richland, (also known as the bypass highway), then just west of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation where it intersects with SR 24.

====Local transit====
[[Ben Franklin Transit]] provides public [[bus]] service throughout the Tri-Cities as well as ''TransPlus'' Night and Sunday limited capacity curb-to-curb service for $3 each way.<ref>{{cite web |title=Night and Sunday Service |url=https://www.bft.org/services/night-service/ |publisher=Ben Franklin Transit |year=2013 |access-date=January 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120054616/https://www.bft.org/services/night-service/ |archive-date=January 20, 2015 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

Local cab service exists, and Uber entered the Kennewick market in December 2016, with expansion into Richland and Pasco the following year.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 2017 |title=Uber to begin offering rides in Pasco before new year |url=https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/2017/12/uber-pasco/ |work=Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business |access-date=September 29, 2020}}</ref>

====Passenger rail====
[[Amtrak]] provides connection to the daily ''[[Empire Builder]]'' serving [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]] and [[Chicago]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Empire Builder Schedule |url=https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/timetables/Empire-Builder-Schedule-042918.pdf |website=amtrak.com |access-date=February 20, 2019}}</ref>

==Recreation==
Due to the dry climate, hot summers, and mild winters, the Tri-Cities offers a variety of outdoor activities.

===Golf===
The area is home to 10 golf courses which can be played nearly year-round. These include Canyon Lakes, Columbia Park, and Zintel Creek Golf Clubs in Kennewick; Sun Willows Golf Club and Pasco Golfland in Pasco; and Columbia Point, Horn Rapids, West Richland, Meadow Springs, and Buckskin Golf clubs in Richland.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

===Running===

The Tri-Cities metropolitan area has a number of outdoor trail running locations. A number of competitive running events are held throughout the year, including a number which are sponsored by the Three Rivers Road Runners Club (3RRR).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://3rrr.org/ |title=Three Rivers Road Runners Club website |access-date=January 20, 2022 |archive-date=October 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015065848/http://3rrr.org/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> They include:
*Columbia River Classic (Est. 1975) - Oldest "fun run" in the Tri-Cities. It features both a 10-mile and 2-mile run.
*Tri-Cities Marathon (Est. 1980) – Run begins in Richland and continues through Pasco and Kennewick along the Columbia River.
*St. Paddy's Foot Race and Leprechaun Dash (Est. 1980) – Annual event where the local elementary and middle school students participate in a 1-mile dash while others compete in a 5K or 10K foot race.

===Trail system===
The Tri-Cities is linked by a system of {{convert|67|mi|km}} of paved pedestrian and bike trails that run through the various cities and along the rivers. The {{convert|23|mi|km|adj=on}} [[Sacagawea Heritage Trail]] forms a loop that crosses two bridges and runs along the Columbia River through both Kennewick and Pasco. Sacagawea Heritage Trail also connects with the Richland Riverfront Trail, a marked hiking trail that focuses on the state of Washington's contribution to the nuclear history of the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=Richland Riverfront Trail |url=http://www.traillink.com/trail/richland-riverfront-trail.aspx |publisher=Rails-to-Trails Conservancy |year=2011 |access-date=April 8, 2011}}</ref>

===Watersports===
The confluence of the Snake, Yakima, and Columbia rivers provides ample opportunity for boating, fishing, and swimming. Free boat launches can be found throughout all of the cities.

===Parks===
The Tri-Cities is home to seven river-front parks and various other parks and playgrounds. Three skate parks are located in the area; two in Kennewick and one in Richland.

Highlands Grange Park is a Kennewick city owned Public Park between 14th and 19th streets off of Union in Kennewick.<ref name="Grange Park">{{cite web |last=Kenmore |first=Karen |title=Grange Park |url=http://www.kenmoreteam.com/blog/grange-park-kennewick-washington.html |publisher=Kenmore Team LLC |access-date=December 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522111552/http://www.kenmoreteam.com/blog/grange-park-kennewick-washington.html |archive-date=May 22, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This park covers {{convert|26|acre|ha}}, serving the surrounding new and old communities of approximately 13,000 citizens. [[File:View of Highlands Grange Park, Kennewick WA.jpg|thumbnail|right|A view of Highlands Grange Park in October 2013]] According to the City of Kennewick Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Plan 2013–2018, this park requires {{convert|6|acre|ha}} of expansion due to the larger than expected community growth of the area. The Southridge Sports and Events Complex helps provide park service for the adjacent Grange neighborhoods. [[File:View of Path in the Rose Garden, Highlands Grange Park, Kennewick WA.jpg|thumbnail|left|Part of the path in the Rose Garden portion of the Demonstration Garden in October 2013]] This park features plenty of recreation, including a playground structure, basketball courts, a soccer/softball field, tennis courts, a roller hockey rink, a water feature, and 8/10-mile walk through a demonstration garden. Additionally, there are two picnic shelters for hosting public events and 79 parking spaces (not including the neighboring Kennewick branch of Mid-Columbia Libraries).<ref name="City of Kennewick">{{cite web |last=Unknown |title=City of Kennewick Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Plan 2013–2018 |url=http://www.go2kennewick.com/go2kennewick/DocumentHandler.ashx?path=Documents%2FParks+%26+Recreation%2FDocuments%2FParks+%26+Recreation+Comp+Plan |publisher=City of Kennewick |access-date=October 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204211407/http://www.go2kennewick.com/go2kennewick/DocumentHandler.ashx?path=Documents%2FParks+%26+Recreation%2FDocuments%2FParks+%26+Recreation+Comp+Plan |archive-date=December 4, 2014 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>
The park's most notable features include the demonstration garden and the water feature. The water feature provides summertime entertainment for local children inviting them to play amidst the colorful metal palm trees that shower water. The demonstration garden is Highland Grange Park's primary attraction and community draw, representing a visual festival of roses and other flowers tended to by master gardeners from Washington State University.<ref name="Tri-City Visitor and Convention Bureau">{{cite web |last=Anderson |first=Ben |title=Beat Bordeom at Tri-Cities Perfect Parks |url=http://www.visittri-cities.com/blog/index.cfm/2010/6/24/Beat-Boredom-at-TriCities-Perfect-Parks/ |publisher=Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau |access-date=October 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610224904/http://www.visittri-cities.com/blog/index.cfm/2010/6/24/Beat-Boredom-at-TriCities-Perfect-Parks/ |archive-date=June 10, 2015 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>
This park is commonly used for public events, ranging from weddings in the demonstration garden to weekend BBQs under the picnic shelters.<ref name="Tri-City Herald BBQ">{{cite news |last=Herald Staff |title=City of Kennewick Planning Barbecue [Kennewick] |url=http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2009/07/12/645349/city-of-kennewick-planning-barbecue.html |access-date=October 1, 2013 |newspaper=Tri-City Herald |date=July 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610205915/http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2009/07/12/645349/city-of-kennewick-planning-barbecue.html |archive-date=June 10, 2015 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> The park also touts the adjacent Highlands Grande building available for reservations and indoor events.<ref name="Grange Facility Rentals">{{cite web |last=Unknown |title=Facility Rentals |url=http://www.go2kennewick.com/go2kennewick/default.aspx?option=com_flexicontent |publisher=Kennewick City Council |access-date=October 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610222151/http://www.go2kennewick.com/go2kennewick/default.aspx?option=com_flexicontent |archive-date=June 10, 2015 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

===Skateboarding===
[[File:SkaterB.jpg|thumb|upright|Jeanette Taylor skate-park]]
Tri-Cities has three skate parks: two in Kennewick and one situated in Richland. Jeanette Taylor Park, is the number three ranked stated skate-park in Washington. Completed in 2005, this {{convert|22100|ft2|m2|adj=on}} park features street elements, an {{convert|8|ft|m|adj=on}} bowl off of a snake run, and a half-pipe/bowl that is {{convert|10|ft|m}} deep.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://skatepark.com/skateparks/Richland/Washington/Richland+Skatepark+(JEANNETTE+TALOR+PARK)821 |title=Skatepark - SkatePark.com New Site V1 }}</ref> The Jeanette Taylor skate park hosts a number of contests and events.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

Richland Skatepark was designed by Wormhoudt Inc and built by Grindline Skateparks. This skatepark features a big bowl, medium bowl, flow section, mini ramp, ledges, rails and stairs.

===Sports teams===
The Tri-Cities is home to one minor league baseball team, the [[Tri-City Dust Devils]] of the [[Northwest League]], and one [[Junior ice hockey#Major Junior|major junior]] hockey club, the [[Tri-City Americans]] of the [[Western Hockey League]].

The first of these teams to join the Tri-City area was the Tri-City Americans. The franchise relocated to the Tri-Cities initially as the [[New Westminster Bruins]] and later changed its name to the "Americans" in 1988.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tri-City Americans Statistics and History |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/tri-city-americans-8541.html |work=hockeyDB.com |access-date=June 3, 2013}}</ref> The Americans have advanced to the WHL finals one time in their tenure in the Tri-Cities, where they lost to the [[Calgary Hitmen]] 4–1 during the 2009–10 season. The Americans currently play at the [[Toyota Center (Kennewick, Washington)|Toyota Center]] in [[Kennewick, Washington]].

The [[Tri-City Dust Devils]] are a [[High-A]] minor league baseball team that is an affiliate of the [[Los Angeles Angels]]. The Dust Devils came to the Tri-Cities in 2001, relocating from Portland as a member of the short-season Northwest League and changing the team's name from the [[Portland Rockies]] to the Tri-City Dust Devils. The Dust Devils took over as the primary tenants of [[Gesa Stadium]], which previously housed the [[Tri-City Posse]]. The Dust Devils were [[Northwest League]] East Division Champions three times, in 2007, 2009 and 2011, all as a [[Colorado Rockies]] affiliate.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dust Devils Team History |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-84113 |work=[[Minor League Baseball]] |access-date=June 3, 2013 |archive-date=May 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522111333/http://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?sid=t460&ymd=20060526&content_id=84113&vkey=team2 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the 2021 Minor League Baseball realignment, the Dust Devils were elevated along with most of the former Northwest League to full-season High-A baseball under the new High-A West league name, and were assigned affiliation with the Angels. The league returned to its original name in 2022.

From 2005 to 2016, there was also professional [[Indoor American football|indoor football]] team called the [[Tri-Cities Fever]]. The team came to the Tri-Cities in 2005 as an expansion team for the [[National Indoor Football League]]. Since then, the Fever switched to the [[AF2]] in 2007, and then to the Indoor Football League in 2009.<ref name="Team History">{{cite web |title=Team History |url=http://www.tricitiesfever.com/team-history/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116151919/http://www.tricitiesfever.com/team-history/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 16, 2012 |work=tricitiesfever.com |access-date=June 3, 2013 }}</ref> The Fever, housed in the Toyota Center in Kennewick, have won one division title and one league championship. The Fever won the [[Indoor Bowl]] in 2005 as a member of the NIFL, and in 2012 they were the Intense Division champions in the IFL where they ultimately lost the United Bowl Championship game to the [[Sioux Falls Storm]]. During the 2012 season, the Fever were awarded the 2012 [[Indoor Football League Franchise of the Year award|IFL Franchise of the Year]].<ref name="Team History"/> In 2016, the Fever announced they would go dormant.

===Retail===

[[File:Columbia Center Mall.jpg|thumb|left|Columbia Center Mall Entrance]]

The [[Columbia Center Mall]] is a shopping center in Kennewick that is operated by Simon Property Group. This indoor shopping mall is the largest regional mall in Southeastern Washington.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://keprtv.com/news/local/forever-21-to-come-to-the-columbia-center-mall|title=Forever 21 to come to the Columbia Center Mall|last=Loutzenhiser|first=Janine|date=January 16, 2019|website=KEPR|access-date=2020-01-23}}</ref>

===Theater===
[[File:The Richland Players Theater.jpg|thumb|Richland Players Theater located in Richland]]
The Richland Players Theater has offered live performances annually for over 70 years.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} Originally known as The Village Players, the theater group was created in 1944 to bring music, comedy, and cultural opportunities to the local community.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/special-reports/progress-edition/article66698232.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316140304/https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/special-reports/progress-edition/article66698232.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 16, 2021|title=Richland Players: Bringing great productions to the Tri-Cities|website=tri-cityherald.com}}</ref> Today, the theater has more than 7,500 attendees annually attracting audiences from across the region such as Spokane, Yakima, and Walla Walla.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} The theater also serves the local community by bringing local retirees to shows and accommodating the visually and hearing impaired (with the participation of non-profit United Blind).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.richlandplayers.org/index.php?ID=19 |title=Theater History |access-date=May 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525214136/http://www.richlandplayers.org/index.php?ID=19 |archive-date=May 25, 2014 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

[[File:Inside View of the Bechtel Planetarium, Pasco WA.jpg|thumb|left|Interior of the CPCCo Planetarium, Pasco]]

The Bechtel National Planetarium is on the campus of Columbia Basin College in Pasco. The {{convert|36|ft|m|adj=on}} dome allows a 180° view overhead. Erin Steinert, Planetarium Outreach Specialist said, "It is the largest digital theater in the state of Washington; it seats the most people."<ref>{{cite web |title=Bechtel National Planetarium (CBC) |url=http://www.columbiabasin.edu/index.aspx?page=1496 |access-date=May 23, 2014}}</ref>

The Toyota Center opened its doors in 1988 and is a multi-purpose arena in Kennewick, Washington. The facility is available for touring broadway shows and concerts as well as conventions, special events, and trade shows.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://yourtoyotacenter.com/ |title=Home |website=yourtoyotacenter.com}}</ref>

==Events==
Events in the Tri-Cities occur throughout the year and include:
* Cool Desert Nights - classic car show held in Richland in June. Attracts visitors from throughout the northwest.
[[File:Boat race.jpg|thumb|right|A boat racing in the HAPO Columbia Cup during the Tri-Cities Follies]]
* Tri-Cities Water Follies - annual unlimited hydroplane racing and air shows including the [[Columbia Cup]], held on the Columbia River in July. In 2019, it marked its 54th year, bringing in over 7,000 tourists and $3 million in visitor spending to the area.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yaktrinews.com/water-follies-brings-in-over-3-million-for-tri-cities-economy/|title = Water Follies brings in over $3 million for Tri-Cities economy|date = July 31, 2019}}</ref> The main event at the Tri-Cities Water Follies is the Apollo Columbia Cup, one of six Unlimited Hydroplane races in the American Power Boat circuit. Through a unique propulsion system, the boats skip along the water only briefly making contact at speeds up to {{convert|220|mph|km/h}}. Visitors to the area have the option to venture into the pit and see the hydros up close.
*Allied Arts Show - annual art show held Richland's [[Howard Amon Park]], in July.
*Benton/Franklin Fair - annual, regional fair held at Kennewick fairgrounds in late August.
*Hogs and Dogs – annual car and [[motorcycle rally]] in [[West Richland]], one of the largest [[List of motorcycle rallies in the Pacific Northwest|motorcycle rallies in the Northwest]]
*An annual renaissance fair is held along the Columbia river, at either Howard Amon Park in Richland<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tri-cityherald.com/latest-news/article32230539.html |website=tri-cityherald.com |date=June 24, 2015 |access-date=September 15, 2017 |title=Ye Merrie Greenwood Renaissance Faire offers fun, escape |last=Schilling |first=Sara}}</ref> or at [[Columbia Park (Kennewick)|Columbia Park]] in Kennewick.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tri-cityherald.com/entertainment/arts-culture/article102066172.html |website=tri-cityherald.com |date=September 15, 2016 |access-date=September 15, 2017 |title=Ye Merrie Greenwood Renaissance Faire set Sept. 24-25}}</ref> ''Ye Merrie Greenwood Faire'' features historically accurate costumes and Elizabethan English, as well as many vendors.<ref>Peterson, Brenda Taylor. "All's Faire at Greenwood". ''[[Tri-City Herald]]''. p. E1. July 7, 1989. [https://archive.today/20120720182543/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ok4hAAAAIBAJ&sjid=W4IFAAAAIBAJ&dq=ye-merrie-greenwood-faire&pg=2500,2051514 Archive copy]  from ''Google News Archive Search'' retrieved March 29, 2010.</ref>
*Every November, Food Network Stars, World Class Wines, and local restaurants come together for Savor the Flavor, a 2-Day Bite and Sip event at the HAPO Center in Pasco. The event is produced by TASTE Tri-Cities magazine as a benefit for Modern Living Services.
*[[RadCon|Radcon]] is a fan-run Science-Fiction / Fantasy convention held annually in Pasco. it is the second largest con of its kind in the Pacific Northwest.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=About Us|url=https://www.radcon.org/info/about-us/|website=Radcon}}</ref> The staff is all-volunteer made up of sci-fi, fantasy and cos-play enthusiasts. The convention is held every year in February and is open to the general public.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/02/17/2278825/radcon-draws-thousands-of-sci.html |title=Radcon draws thousands of sci-fi fans to Pasco |date=February 17, 2013 |work=Tri-City Herald |access-date=October 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015221127/http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/02/17/2278825/radcon-draws-thousands-of-sci.html |archive-date=October 15, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*The city of Kennewick hosts several events year round at the Three Rivers Convention Center. 
{{CSS image crop |Image = Flea Market Vendor.jpg |bSize = 220 |cWidth = 220 |cHeight = 220 |Location = right |Description = Flea market vendor }}
* Pasco Flea Market - The Pasco [[Flea Market]] is located on 200 East Lewis Place in Pasco, Washington. The market's season opens officially on March 1 and remains open publicly accessible until December 1, averaging about 350 different vendors. On a single Sunday, the market may see between 3000 and 5000 visitors.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pihl |first=Kristi |title=Pasco Flea Market becomes 'traffic nightmare' |url=http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2010/04/12/972871_pasco-flea-market-becomes-traffic.html |access-date=October 15, 2013 |newspaper=Tri-City Herald |date=April 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223000546/http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2010/04/12/972871_pasco-flea-market-becomes-traffic.html |archive-date=December 23, 2014 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>
* Fall Dog Show - Hosted by the Richland Kennel Club and usually held at Columbia Park in Kennewick during late September to early October<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://richlandkennelclub.org/DogShow.htm|title=Richland Kennel Club, Richland Washington ~DogShow~|access-date=January 17, 2022|archive-date=March 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306163509/http://richlandkennelclub.org/DogShow.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Demographics==
Historical combined population of Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland.
{{US Census population
|1910= 3652
|1920= 5325
|1930= 5223
|1940= 6078
|1950= 42143
|1960= 52314
|1970= 55422
|1980= 86403
|1990= 94807
|2000= 125467
|2010= 181756
|2020= 220959
}}
The three adjoining cities if combined into one city would be the 100th largest by population and 73rd largest by area in the United States.

===Kennewick===
As of April 1, 2024, the population of Kennewick was estimated at 87,120 <ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web
|url=https://ofm.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/dataresearch/pop/april1/ofm_april1_population_final.pdf|title = April 1, 2022 Population of Cities, Towns and Counties|website=ofm.wa.gov}}</ref> according to the Washington State Office of Financial Management, Forecasting Division.

As of the 2023 census, there were 85,155 people, 30,295 households, and 2.8 persons per household. The population density was {{convert|2,987.5|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 32,495 housing units at an average density of {{convert|961.2|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the city was 55% White, 2% Black or African American, 1% Native American, 2% Asian, <1% Pacific Islander, 2% from other races, and 3% from two or more races. 36% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 30,295 households, out of which 37.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder, and 31.8% were non-families. 26.1% 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 2.6 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the city the population was spread out, with 29.6% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $41,213, and the median income for a family was $50,011. Males had a median income of $41,589 versus $26,022 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,152. About 9.7% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.8% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.

===Pasco===

As of April 1, 2021, the population of Pasco was estimated at 78,700,<ref name="ReferenceA"/> according to the Washington State Office of Financial Management, Forecasting Division.

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 77,108 people, and according to the 2000 census results, 9,619 households, and 7,262 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,141.9|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 10,341 housing units at an average density of {{convert|368.2|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the city was 52.76% White, 3.22% African American, 0.77% Native American, 1.77% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 37.44% from other races, and 3.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 56.26% of the population.

There were 9,619 households, out of which 45.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder, and 24.5% were non-families. 20.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.30 and the average family size was 3.79.

In the city the population was spread out, with 35.5% under the age of 18, 11.8% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 15.5% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,540, and the median income for a family was $37,342. Males had a median income of $29,016 versus $22,186 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,404. About 19.5% of families and 23.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.4% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.

===Richland===

As of April 1, 2021, the population of Richland was estimated at 61,320,<ref name="ReferenceA"/> according to the Washington State Office of Financial Management, Forecasting Division.

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 60,560 people, and according to the 2000 census, 15,549 households, and 10,682 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,111.8|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 16,458 housing units at an average density of {{convert|472.7|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the city was 89.55% White, 1.37% African American, 0.76% Native American, 4.06% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 1.85% from other races, and 2.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 4.72% of the population.

There were 15,549 households, out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder, and 31.3% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city the population was spread out, with 27.2% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 96 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $53,092, and the median income for a family was $61,482. Males had a median income of $52,648 versus $30,472 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,494. About 5.7% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.8% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.

Based on per capita income, one of the more reliable measures of affluence, Richland ranks 83rd of 522 areas ranked in the state of Washington—the highest rank achieved in Benton County.

==Media==
===Print media===
The [[Tri-City Herald]] is a [[daily newspaper]] based in Kennewick which serves the Tri-Cities area.<ref name="printmedia">{{cite web|url=https://tri-citiesguide.org/facts-demographics.htm |title=Community Resources • Facts & Demographics • Tri-Cities WA |publisher=Tri-citiesguide.org |access-date=2019-01-22}}</ref> Printed in both Spanish and English,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pasco-wa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/58907/2017-Annual-Action-Plan-?bidId= |title=Archived copy |access-date=January 22, 2019 |archive-date=October 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024143817/https://www.pasco-wa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/58907/2017-Annual-Action-Plan-?bidId= |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''tú Decides'' is a free newspaper which was launched in early 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/new-tri-cities-hispanic-newspaper/article_0e954653-73c6-5502-b25c-7d5083a32b50.html |title=New Tri-Cities Hispanic Newspaper &#124; News |publisher=nbcrightnow.com |date=January 22, 2007 |access-date=2019-01-22}}</ref> The Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business covers business news in Richland, Kennewick and Pasco.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allyoucanread.com/kennewick-newspaper-wa/ |title=Top Kennewick Newspapers - Washington - Kennewick Local News and Media Kennewick - Source |publisher=AllYouCanRead.com |access-date=2019-01-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123071410/https://www.allyoucanread.com/kennewick-newspaper-wa/ |archive-date=January 23, 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="printmedia"/>

===Television===
{{Further|Category:Television stations in Tri-Cities, Washington}}
The Tri-Cities is part of the Yakima [[List of United States television markets|television market]] which, as of the 2017 [[Nielsen Media Research|Nielsen DMA Rankings]], was recorded as having 230,950 TV households.<ref>{{cite web |author=LyonsPR |url=https://www.lyonspr.com/latest-nielsen-dma-rankings/ |title=Latest Nielsen DMA Rankings &#124; Lyons Broadcast PR |publisher=Lyonspr.com |date=January 18, 2017 |access-date=2019-01-22 |archive-date=April 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412071947/https://www.lyonspr.com/latest-nielsen-dma-rankings/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="nocable">{{cite web |url=https://nocable.org/dma/810-yakima-pasco-richland-kennewick-wa |title=Yakima-Pasco-Richland-Kennewick, WA Marketing Area Broadcast TV Channels |publisher=Nocable.org |access-date=2019-01-22 |archive-date=January 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123121250/https://nocable.org/dma/810-yakima-pasco-richland-kennewick-wa |url-status=dead }}</ref> Stations and networks which serve this market include [[KFFX-TV]] (a [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] affiliate), [[KUNW-CD|KVVK]] (a [[Univision]] affiliate), [[KEPR-TV|KEPR]] (a [[CBS]] affiliate), [[KNDU]] ([[NBC]]), [[KWSU-TV|KTNW]] ([[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]]), and [[KVEW]] ([[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]).<ref name="nocable"/> All except KFFX and KTNW are satellites of Yakima stations. KFFX is a full-fledged station, while KTNW repeats KWSU-TV in [[Pullman, Washington|Pullman]]

===Radio===
{{Further|List of radio stations in Washington (state)}}
According to the Spring 2018 Nielsen Audio Quarterly Report, the top 10 radio stations (AM and FM) with the highest listenership in Tri-Cities, Washington included [[KEGX|KEGX-FM]] (classic rock; 5.6% share), [[KORD-FM]] (country; 5.6%), [[KUJ-FM]] (chart; 5.6%), [[KIOK|KIOK-FM]] (country; 5.2%), [[KXRX|KXRX-FM]] (classic rock; 5.2%), [[KFLD|KFLD-AM]] (news; 4.3%), [[KEYW-FM]] (adult contemporary; 3.9%), [[KOLW|KOLW-FM]] (chart; 2.6%), [[KJOX (AM)|KJOX-AM]] (sports; 1.7%), [[KALE|KALE-AM]] (adult contemporary; 1.3%).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ratings.radio-online.com/cgi-bin/rol.exe/arb371 |title=Nielsen Audio Ratings |publisher=Ratings.radio-online.com |access-date=2019-01-22 |archive-date=January 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123023240/https://ratings.radio-online.com/cgi-bin/rol.exe/arb371 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Proposed consolidation and naming==
{{Original research|section|date=May 2018}}
Over the years,{{when|date=January 2019}} a number of proposals have been made to consolidate the cities into a united incorporated area. The idea behind this movement, which would make the resulting incorporated area the fourth largest city in the state, is that one larger city would create the presence needed to draw increased attention and focus to the region. Several motions to consolidate have not been passed.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Angel |first1=Jim |last2=Dillon |first2=Cathy |date=June 21, 1985 |title=Merger issue revives |page=A1 |work=Tri-City Herald}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Trumbo |first=John |url=http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2009/01/28/460030/should-the-tri-cities-consolidate.html |title=Should the Tri-Cities consolidate? |work=Tri-City Herald |publisher=McClatchy |date=January 28, 2009 |access-date=December 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204181655/http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2009/01/28/460030/should-the-tri-cities-consolidate.html |archive-date=February 4, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Proposed names for such a consolidated area have included the "Quad-Cities" (accounting for West Richland), "Tri-Cities", or "Three Rivers".{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}  West Richland has separately been proposed to be renamed to "Red Mountain", in an attempt to distinguish itself from Richland.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

==Notable people==

===Arts and literature===
*[[Patricia Briggs]], urban fantasy author
*[[Orson Scott Card]], science fiction writer
*[[Chuck Palahniuk]], novelist (author of ''[[Fight Club (novel)|Fight Club]]'')
*[[Joseph Santos]], artist and painter
*[[Ron Silliman]], poet (born in Pasco, resident of Kennewick 1946–47)

===Business and science and other===
*[[James Albaugh]] - executive vice president, [[The Boeing Company]]
*[[Stephanie Dorgan]] - lawyer and entrepreneur, founder of [[The Crocodile]] nightclub
*[[Jim Mattis]] - 26th United States Secretary of Defense
*[[John Archibald Wheeler]] - theoretical physicist, collaborator with [[Albert Einstein]]
*[[Kayla Barron]] - NASA astronaut
*[[Don Watts (farmer)|Don Watts]] - entrepreneur, philanthropist, and former CEO of [[Watts Brothers Farms]], acquired by [[Conagra Foods]]

===Entertainers and musicians===
*[[Terence Knox]], actor - ''[[Tour of Duty (TV series)|Tour of Duty]]'', ''[[St. Elsewhere]]''
*[[James Otto]], country singer and songwriter
*[[James Wong Howe]], [[Academy Award]]-winning [[cinematographer]]
*[[Talkdemonic|Kevin T. O'Connor]], musician, Talkdemonic
*[[Kristine W]], (Weitz) singer and songwriter, former Miss Washington
*[[Larry Coryell]] - jazz guitarist, RHS class of 1961
*[[Nate Mendel]] - [[Foo Fighters]] bassist
*[[Santino Fontana]], stage actor, director, and composer
*[[Sharon Tate]] - actress, victim of the [[Tate-LaBianca|Manson Family]] murders
*[[Michael Peterson (singer)|Michael Peterson]], country singer and songwriter

===Sports===
*[[Adam Carriker]] — [[Washington Redskins]]
*[[Brian Urlacher]] — [[Chicago Bears]] [[Pro Bowl]] [[linebacker]]
*[[Bruce Kison]] — [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] [[World Series]] [[pitcher]]
*[[Damon Lusk]] — [[NASCAR]] driver
*[[Gene Conley]] — Major League Basketball and Baseball player, RHS
*[[Hope Solo]] — [[United States women's national soccer team]] goalkeeper
*[[Jason Repko]] — [[Minnesota Twins]] outfielder
*[[Jeremy Bonderman]] — [[Seattle Mariners]] All-Star [[pitcher]]
*[[Kimo von Oelhoffen]] — former Defensive Tackle for the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]
*[[Michael Jackson (linebacker)|Michael Jackson]] — [[Seattle Seahawks]] [[linebacker]]
*[[Ray Mansfield]] — [[National Football League]] player, center, [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]
*[[Ray Washburn]] — former [[Major League Baseball]] [[pitcher]]
*[[Travis Buck]] — [[Oakland Athletics]] outfielder
*[[Tyler Brayton]] — [[Carolina Panthers]]
*[[Chad Ward]] - NFL offensive lineman
*[[Shawn O'Malley]] - [[Major League Baseball]] Player
*[[Greg Olson (American football)|Greg Olson]] - [[Oakland Raiders]] offensive coordinator

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=note}}
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.visittri-cities.com/ Visit Tri-Cities] of the Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau
*[http://www.tricityregionalchamber.com/ Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce]
*[http://bentonfranklintrends.org/ Benton-Franklin Trends]

{{Columbia River}}
{{Benton County, Washington}}
{{Franklin County, Washington}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|46|13|25|N|119|08|09|W|region:US-WA_type:city_source:kolossus-frwiki|display=title}}

[[Category:Tri-Cities, Washington| ]]
[[Category:Micropolitan areas of Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Washington (state) populated places on the Columbia River]]
[[Category:Populated riverside places in the United States]]<!--Snake River-->
[[Category:Columbia River]]
[[Category:Snake River]]
[[Category:Populated places on the Yakima River]]
[[Category:Yakima River]]
[[Category:World War II Heritage Cities]]