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Welcome to Kennewick, WA 

Kennewick is located in the southeast portion of Washington state at the confluence of the Columbia, Snake and Yakima Rivers.  Kennewick and the rest of the Tri-Cities comprise an urban area of approximately 185,600 people with almost 250,000 people in the greater two county areas.  Kennewick is located 225 miles southeast of Seattle and 136 miles southwest of Spokane.  Kennewick is the largest of the Tri-Cities and has a solid economy supported by light industry, food processing, retail trade and services.

The area’s climate is favorable for all outdoor activities and comfortable outdoor lifestyle.  The Kennewick area has ample sunny days per year with a pleasant desert climate typified by warm summers with low humidity and moderate winter temperatures.  Kennewick has a distinctly different weather pattern than that of the rainy western side of the state and the colder inland northwest communities.

There are 10 golf courses in the area (two of which are championship courses) that support nearly year round participation.  Summer is long here and the Columbia, Snake and Yakima Rivers provide endless opportunities for water sports, boating, fishing and passive recreation. Kennewick is located in the heart of Washington’s wine country – home to more than 80 area wineries producing award winning and world-class vintages.  Ninety-nine percent of Washington’s wine grapes are grown in and around the Kennewick area and Washington state itself ranks second nationally only to California in total wine production.

Brief History of Kennewick, Washington
Kennewick began as a popular winter camping ground for the Chemnapum Indians, who called it ”Winter Heaven” because of its mild winters.  Indians were able to fish for salmon in the Yakima River and pasture their horses on the surrounding hills. Then in 1883, the Northern Pacific Railroad began operations in the area on their quest for railroad accessg to the coast. They were initially required to transport their trains from Pasco across the Columbia River by cable ferry; the railroad bridge was later completed in 1888.

In 1904, Kennewick became an incorporated city. A creamery and a grape juice company, which thrived due to the availability of the acres of Concorde grape vineyards, were the first industries established soon after incorporation.  Water brought in through irrigation allowed for the agricultural industry to take hold in the small community. Kennewick grew slowly until World War II when the Hanford atomic project in the neighboring Richland caused the population to increase from 1,902 to 15,000.

Our history includes that of Kennewick Man, a 9200 year-old skeleton unearthed in Kennewick’s Columbia Park – a significant discovery receiving national attention.

Today in Kennewick
Kennewick continues to lead the Tri-Cities in size, with over 67,180 residents, and it has a thriving economy supported by light industry, food processing and retail trade.  There is even a revitalization project that is focused on economic growth in the downtown area. Emphasis is being placed on the restoration of storefronts to their original luster, as well as encouraging community and cultural development, in order to bring back much of downtowns original charm and friendly atmosphere. Kennewick is also home to Columbia Center Mall and other shopping complexes, each offering its own contribution and opportunities to the local economy and surrounding communities.

Columbia Park is another reason to visit Kennewick. It lines the Columbia River for 4.6 beautiful miles and includes an 18 hole short course golf course, the Playground of Dreams (children's water feature, dreamland express children's train, and playground equipment), campground, rest rooms, juvenile fishing pond, nature trail, stage area, covered technique shelters and barbecue facilities.

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