Information about facts & demographics for Tri-Cities WA (Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, West Richland) is provided that includes information on education, economic and business development, health and human services, utilities, and regional transportation.
Check out the following topics:
Community and Adult Education
This community boasts a significant population with scientific and technical skills due to the historical relationship with the Hanford Site and an economy anchored in high-technology, light and heavy manufacturing, service industry, federal government and agriculture. The ability to obtain advanced college degrees in this community is possible. Some of the educational opportunities are listed below:
K-12 School Districts
There are three K-12 school districts in the Tri-Cities: Kennewick School District, Pasco School District and the Richland School District.
STEM Education in the Tri-Cities
The Washington State STEM Education Foundation, a non-profit organization located in the Tri-Cities, is a national model for generating passionate support for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math in public education. The first STEM-based school to open in the Tri-Cities is Delta High School which is located in Pasco. Leona Libby Middle School in West Richland also offers STEM classes.
Charter College
Charter College is a private college with a branch in Pasco that offers a "fast track" studies program leading to various certificates and degrees.
Columbia Basin College
Columbia Basin College (CBC) in Pasco is a community college that serves the educational needs of the Tri Cities by offering a number of two-year degree programs. Some of these programs allow students to continue their studies at Washington State University - Tri-Cities.
Heritage University
Heritage University has a branch campus at Columbia Basin College and in Kennewick that offers several undergraduate programs. They also have a Master of Education program.
Washington State University - Tri-Cities
Washington State University - Tri-Cities in Richland is a branch campus of Washington State University in Pullman and offers upper-division college courses leading to a Bachelor or Master Degree. Students can also complete work towards a Ph. D. on campus.
Community Education Program
Kennewick School District's Community Education Program offers a variety of online classes for adults on the go in the Tri-Cities.
Private & Religious Based Schools
There are several private and religious based schools in the Tri-Cities that include:- Bethlehem Lutheran Church and School - Kennewick
- Christ the King School - Richland
- Coram Deo Academy - Richland
- Kingspoint Christian School - Pasco
- Liberty Christian School - Richland
- Pacific Northwest Christian College - Kennewick
- St. Joseph Catholic School - Kennewick
- Tri-Cities Prep Catholic High School - Pasco
Community Forums
City-Data Forum: Tri-Cities
City-Data Forum: Tri-Cities is a community forum for the Tri-Cities and a good way to exchange information: ask a question and the locals will respond. This forum gets a lot of questions from those who are considering relocating to the Tri-Cities or have recently moved to the Tri-Cities.
reddit - Tri-Cities: Richland, Kennewick, Pasco & surrounding area
Reddit is a network of communities based on people's interests. Find communities you're interested in, and become part of an online community! There is a reddit forum for Tri-Cities: Richland, Kennewick, Pasco & surrounding area.
Community Newspapers & Business Journals
Note: view the News, Magazines, Radio & TV section for more local media resources.
Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business
The Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business offers comprehensive coverage of business news in Prosser, Benton City, West Richland, Richland, Kennewick and Pasco.
Tri-City Herald - Regional News
The Tri-City Herald is a local newspaper that covers the Tri-Cities and Mid-Columbia region.
Progress Edition: Read the Tri-City Herald's Progress Edition that covers topics related to the Tri-Cities Communities & Lifestyle, Business & Economy, Agriculture & Commerce, and Science & Technology.
tú Decides
tú Decides is the area's first bilingual Hispanic newspaper with a mission to provide all generations of Hispanics with a more balanced perspective and keener insight into the issues of our time. In effect, each reader is given an opportunity to decide for himself-- 'Tu Decides'.
Convention Centers
HAPO Center
The HAPO Center (formerly the TRAC), located at 6600 Burden Blvd. in Pasco, is a large versatile event center.
The HAPO Center offers a versatility that few event venues can offer to both the promoters and to the public. The complex features a 38,184 square foot Exposition Hall & 39,200 indoor concrete floor arena, supported by a spacious Atrium and three conference rooms.
Over 84,000 square feet of exhibit space is available, making The HAPO Center one of the largest event venues in Washington. Each area within the complex is a standalone venue or all the areas may be combined for larger events.
The HAPO Center was also built around the needs of the Equine Community and offers many amenities
such as increased stall capacity, large warm up arena, etc. 
Three Rivers Convention Center
The Three Rivers Convention Center, located at 7016 W. Grandridge Blvd. in Kennewick, offers an expansive 75,000 square feet of space. The Convention Center's sparkling 14,000 square foot foyer is perfect for social activities, receptions, meeting registrations and more.
At full capacity, the Convention Center's show piece, the Great Hall, offers 21,600 square feet of meeting or exhibit space, or divide it to create more personalized settings.
Nine additional meeting rooms are available for breakout and office space, perfect to complement the Great Hall and offer variety to meet the complex needs of multi-day programs.
Toyota Center & Windermere Theatre
The Toyota Center & Windermere Theatre, located at 7000 W. Grandridge Blvd. in Kennewick, is a multi-purpose facility that annually hosts over 150 meeting room and arena events.
Many great names in the music industry have played the stage at the Toyota Center. It is also the home of the Western Hockey League's Tri-City Americans.
In addition to the
sporting events and concerts, the Toyota Center plays host to consumer and trade shows, banquets, conventions, family shows, meetings and much more.
Economic and Business Development
Chambers of Commerce
The goal of the Chamber of Commerce in each community is to promote business economic growth. The following Chambers of Commerce represent the Tri-Cities:
Pasco Chamber of Commerce
The Pasco Chamber of Commerce strives to bring the area businesses together with each other and
the community to achieve economic security and an overall exceptional quality of life. From business to agriculture to education,
the Chamber is a major supporter of the Greater Pasco Area.
Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
The Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (TCHCC)
is organized for the purpose of advancing the economic, industrial, professional, cultural, agricultural, educational and civic welfare of the Tri-Cities and surrounding communities.
Tri-Cities Regional Chamber of Commerce
The Tri-Cities Regional Chamber of Commerce is working to enhance the Tri-City region, making it an ideal location for families and businesses to prosper. The Chamber has a section About the Tri-Cities that includes quick links to regional facts, phone numbers, tourism, and education.
West Richland Chamber of Commerce
The West Richland Chamber of Commerce invites you to enjoy their growing amenities as you visit area wineries and destination points of interest. West Richland is adjacent to the Red Mountain American Viticultural Area, attracting thousands of tourists and local citizens each year.
Port Districts
A Port district is a municipal corporation, organized under state law and authorized by a majority vote of the residents in the proposed district, and is governed by a locally elected board of commissioners. The following Port Districts represent the Tri-Cities:
Port of Benton
The Port of Benton (Richland) fosters economic development, trade and tourism by providing quality
infrastructure and multimodal transportation at a variety of sites.
Port of Kennewick
The Port of Kennewick is working with economic development partners in West Richland, Richland, Kennewick, Benton City, and Benton County, to foster sustainable business, industrial, and commercial development district-wide.
Port of Pasco
The Port of Pasco is a port of transportation. Vital transportation links are one of the keys to the Port of Pasco facilities. The area's geographic location makes it a hub for the entire Pacific Northwest area.
Tri-Cities Research District
The Tri-Cities Research District is the Pacific Northwest's center of technology invention and advancement. It is recognized as a place where people with ideas create technologies that solve problems and produce commercial value.
Tri-City Development Council (TRIDEC)
The mission of the Tri-City Development Council (TRIDEC) is to increase economic activity throughout Benton and Franklin Counties. TRIDEC is managed by a 39-member board of directors, comprised of representatives from the local business community, private sector leaders, and organizations committed to creating and supporting jobs in our region. When it comes to business we offer better locations and faster permitting! Visit Explore Tri-Cities, WA for more information.
Facts & Demographics
About the Tri-Cities
The Tri-Cities metropolitan area consists of three neighboring cities: Kennewick, Pasco and Richland. A fourth neighboring city, West Richland, is generally included as part of this metropolitan area. The population of the Tri-Cities metropolitan area was 253,540 based on the 2010 Census, making it the fourth largest metropolitan area in Washington State
Kennewick, Richland and West Richland are located in Benton County while Pasco is located in Franklin County (see Tri-Cities Area Maps & Communities).
Benton-Franklin Trends
Benton-Franklin Trends provides information on many indicators such as People, Agriculture, Culture, Recreation & Tourism, Economic Vitality, Education, Environmental Sustainability, Health, Housing, Public Safety, and Transportation that offers residents and visitors a comprehensive view of our community.
City-Data.com
City-Data.com is useful for looking up community profiles for Kennewick, Pasco, Richland and West Richland.
Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) of Washington
The Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) of Washington is useful for looking up City & County Profiles, Directory of City and Town Officials, City & County Codes, News, Press Releases, and Newsletters of Washington Local Governments. Information is available for Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, West Richland, Benton County, and Franklin County.
Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau
Visit the Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau for information about the Tri-Cities that includes
visitor and relocation information.
U.S. Census Bureau - Explore Census Data
The U.S. Census Bureau maintains Explore Census Data which is useful for finding population, housing, economic, and geographic data for any community. Just enter the name of any U.S. community in their search box.
Wikipedia
Wikipedia has information available for Tri-Cities, Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, West Richland, Benton County and Franklin County.
Garbage, Power, Water & Sewer Services
The following is a list of utility service providers for the Tri-Cities.
City of Kennewick
- Garbage - Waste Management
- Power - Benton PUD
- Water & Sewer - City of Kennewick Utilities
City of Pasco
- Garbage - Basin Disposal
- Power - Franklin County PUD
- Water & Sewer - City of Pasco Utilities
City of Richland
- Garbage, Power, Water & Sewer - City of Richland Utilities
City of West Richland
- Garbage, Water & Sewer - City of West Richland Utilities
- Power - Benton Rural Electric Association
Cascade Natural gas
Cascade Natural Gas services the Tri-Cities area.
Health & Human Services
Major Hospitals and Health Service Providers
The Tri-Cities has three hospitals and other major health service providers that include:
- Kadlec Medical Center (Richland)
- Trios Health (Kennewick)
- Lourdes Health Network (Pasco)
- Tri-Cities Community Health (Pasco)
- Tri-Cities Cancer Center (Kennewick)
Benton Franklin Community Action Committee (BFCAC)
Benton Franklin Community Action Committee (BFCAC) was established in 1966 to assist low-income families & individuals to identify options and alternatives for self-sufficiency and independence by improving their chances for filling their employment, housing and childcare needs.
BFCAC provides services under approximately forty-two (42) different contracts and networks with community partners to provide a wide variety of services in Benton and Franklin Counties.
Community Resources - WSU Tri-Cities
Washington State University - Tri-Cities has compiled a list of community resources in the Tri-Cities that include Counseling Services, Contact/Help Line, Disaster, Domestic Violence, Food/Clothing/Shelter/Housing, Individual & Family Services, Legal, Medical/Health Services, Sexual Assault, and Transportation.
Health & Human Service Assistance - Dial 2-1-1
If you know someone who needs help with housing, child care, holiday meals, or gift programs for those in need, dial 2-1-1.
United Way collaborates with several local and state-wide organizations to insure the 2-1-1 telephone information and referral system continues in Benton and Franklin counties.
Innovaging - Senior Living Strategies
Innovaging provides a list of senior resources and services for the Tri-Cities.
Internet, Phone & Cable/Satellite TV Services
Internet, phone, and cable/satellite TV services are available in the Tri-Cities that include:
- CenturyLink - Internet, phone, TV from DIRECTV - serves Eastern Washington (Pasco, Connell, Burbank, Walla Walla)
- DIRECTV - satellite TV service
- DISH - satellite TV service (DISH Latino)
- HughesNet - satellite Internet service
- Spectrum Charter - Internet, phone, cable TV (Spectrum Charter Español)
- Ziply Fiber (formerly Frontier) - Internet, phone, streaming TV
Libraries
The Tri-Cities has several public, college, law, medical, research and technical libraries that include the following:
- Benton-Franklin County Law Library
- Columbia Basin College Health Sciences Library (Richland)
- Columbia Basin College Library (Pasco)
- DOE Public Reading Room (WSU Tri-Cities Campus - Richland)
- Kadlec Neurological Resource Center Library (Healthplex, 1268 Lee Blvd in Richland)
- Max E. Benitz Memorial Library (WSU Tri-Cities Campus - Richland)
- Mid-Columbia Libraries (Kennewick, Pasco and West Richland)
- Richland Public Library
Livability & Sustainability
Alliance for a Livable and Sustainable Community
The mission of Alliance for a Livable and Sustainable Community is to promote and advocate livable and sustainable principles and practices in the Tri-City region by bringing stakeholders together to create and maintain a community-wide collaborative effort for improved quality of life for all in our community.
Museums & Interpretive Centers
For information about museums and interpretive centers, historical societies, architectural history, genealogical societies, Hanford history including the B Reactor, historical photo & video collections, and Native American history for the Tri-Cities Washington region then check out Museums & Interpretive Centers.
Regional Transportation
Benton-Franklin Council of Governments
Benton-Franklin Council of Governments serves as the Regional
Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) for the jurisdictions within Benton, Franklin, and Walla Walla Counties in southeastern Washington State. You can find information on future planned road construction projects in the Tri-Cities.
Amtrak Passenger Rail
Amtrak provides connection from Pasco to the daily Empire Builder serving Portland and Chicago.
Ben-Franklin Transit
Ben-Franklin Transit bus routes cover Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, West Richland, Prosser and Benton City. Riding the bus to work, shopping, school or for visiting friends is easy and economical.
Greyhound Bus Lines
Greyhound Bus Lines operates a bus terminal near the Amtrak station in Pasco.
Tri-Cities Airport
The Tri-Cities Airport is a major commercial air carrier airport in Pasco that is served by Delta, Alaska Air/Horizon Air, United and Allegiant with flights to Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Denver, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Mesa, Arizona.
Telephone Directories
There are two telephone directories that serve the Tri-Cities for finding businesses, maps and more: Mid-Columbia Telephone Directory and dexknows. They both offer downloadable apps for iPhone and Android phones.
Washington State Licensing Information
Visit the Washington State Department of Licensing for information on obtaining a Washington driver license, registering your vehicle and boat, transfering a professional license, registering to vote and obtaining a business license.
Note: you are considered a Washington resident when you do any of the following:
- Arrive in Washington and begin establishing a home in the state
- Register to vote
- Receive state benefits
- Apply for any state license
- Seek in-state tuition fees