| Benton County, Washington | |
Location in the state of Washington |
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Washington's location in the U.S. |
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| Founded | March 8, 1905 |
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| Seat | Prosser |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
1,760 sq mi (4,558 km²) 1,703 sq mi (4,411 km²) 57 sq mi (148 km²), 3.24% |
| Population - (2010) - Density |
175,177 103/sq mi (39.7/km²) |
| Website | www.co.benton.wa.us |
Benton County is a county located in the south-central portion of the U.S. state of Washington. The Columbia River makes up the north, south, and east boundaries of the county. In 2010, its population was 175,177.[1] The county seat is Prosser, and its largest city is Kennewick. It was named after Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton.
Benton County was created out of Klickitat County on March 8, 1905.[2]
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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,760 square miles (4,558.4 km2), of which 1,703 square miles (4,410.7 km2) is land and 57 square miles (147.6 km2) (3.24%) is water.
The area of south-central Washington occupied by Benton County has been known primarily as an agricultural hub since its settlement by white Americans. The rise of viticulture has had a profound impact on the agricultural and tourism industries over the past two decades, and has in many ways reshaped the reputation of the region. Prominent wineries and tasting rooms located in the area include but are not limited to:
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 7,937 |
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| 1920 | 10,903 | 37.4% | |
| 1930 | 10,952 | 0.4% | |
| 1940 | 12,053 | 10.1% | |
| 1950 | 51,370 | 326.2% | |
| 1960 | 62,070 | 20.8% | |
| 1970 | 67,540 | 8.8% | |
| 1980 | 109,444 | 62.0% | |
| 1990 | 112,560 | 2.8% | |
| 2000 | 142,475 | 26.6% | |
| 2010 | 175,177 | 23.0% | |
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 142,475 people, 52,866 households, and 38,063 families residing in the county. The population density was 84 people per square mile (32/km²). There were 55,963 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile (13/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 86.25% White, 0.93% Black or African American, 0.82% Native American, 2.20% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 7.01% from other races, and 2.69% from two or more races. 12.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.1% were of German, 11.0% English, 9.1% United States or American and 8.4% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000. 86.4% spoke English and 10.3% Spanish as their first language.
There were 52,866 households out of which 38.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.60% were married couples living together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.00% were non-families. 23.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.17.
In the county, the population was spread out with 29.70% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 10.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 98.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $47,044, and the median income for a family was $54,146. Males had a median income of $45,556 versus $27,232 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,301. About 7.80% of families and 10.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.30% of those under age 18 and 6.90% of those age 65 or over.
| Grant County | Franklin County | |||
| Yakima County | Walla Walla County | |||
| Benton County, Washington | ||||
| Klickitat County | Morrow County, Oregon | Umatilla County, Oregon |
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