Why Kennewick
Situated in Eastern Washington within Benton County, Kennewick is the most populous of the three communities collectively known as the Tri-Cities, alongside Pasco and Richland. The city lies along the southwest bank of the Columbia River, positioned just southeast of the Columbia's junction with the Yakima River and across from its confluence with the Snake River. Topographically, the land rises from the riverbank toward a series of southern ridges that form part of the same geological feature as nearby Badger Mountain and Rattlesnake Mountain.
Indigenous peoples, including the Umatilla, Wanapum, Nez Perce, and Yakama tribes, inhabited the surrounding region for thousands of years, taking advantage of the relatively mild winter temperatures at low elevation and abundant river fish such as salmon. The long history of human activity in the area was highlighted by the 1996 discovery of Kennewick Man, a 9,300-year-old ancient skeleton found along the Columbia River. Non-Native settlement expanded in the late 19th century as steamboats and the Northern Pacific Railroad connected the community to broader transit routes, leading to Kennewick's formal incorporation in 1904.
Agricultural development expanded rapidly in the 1890s following the construction of irrigation canals and pumps, which transformed the arid landscape into productive land for vineyards, fruit orchards, and strawberry fields. The establishment of the Port of Kennewick in 1915 established river cargo operations via the Celilo Canal, while river spans such as the Blue Bridge and Cable Bridge linked the city with neighboring Pasco. Industrial and population growth surged during the 1940s due to employment created by the Hanford Site project in nearby Richland.
Today, Kennewick's economy encompasses agriculture, research, and corporate operations, serving as a regional center supported by employers like the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Amazon, and Lamb Weston. Notable features include the Toyota Center, an arena that previously hosted ice sports during the 1990 Goodwill Games, and modern commercial expansion concentrated in the Southridge district along U.S. Route 395. The city is easily accessible by highway via Interstate 82, Interstate 182, and U.S. Route 395.
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