Cities & towns
Kennewick, Pasco, Richland and every town around them
Seven cities and a handful of farm towns share two counties and three rivers. Pick a city for its events, parks, places to eat and local news, or compare them below.
The cities by the numbers
| City | County | People (2026) | Change since 2020 | Sales tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennewick | Benton | 89,220 | +6.3% | 8.8% |
| Pasco | Franklin | 85,560 | +11.0% | 8.9% |
| Richland | Benton | 66,290 | +9.5% | 8.8% |
| West Richland | Benton | 18,820 | +15.5% | 8.7% |
| Prosser | Benton | 6,745 | +11.3% | 8.7% |
| Connell | Franklin | 5,075 | -6.7% | 8.3% |
| Benton City | Benton | 3,935 | +13.1% | 8.7% |
Outside city limits the sales tax is 8.1%, or 8.7% inside the Ben Franklin Transit service area. Mesa and Kahlotus are 8.1%.
Sources: WA OFM April 1, 2026 population estimates · WA Department of Revenue rates effective Oct. 1, 2026
How the Tri-Cities fit together
The three big cities sit where the Yakima and Snake rivers meet the Columbia. Richland and Kennewick are on the Benton County side of the Columbia; Pasco is across the river in Franklin County. West Richland is Richland’s neighbor up the Yakima, and most people count it as part of the Tri-Cities.
Three main bridges cross the Columbia to Pasco: the Cable Bridge and the Blue Bridge from Kennewick, and the I-182 bridge from Richland. Prosser and Benton City are up the Yakima Valley along I-82; Connell is north of Pasco on US-395.
Prosser is the Benton County seat and Pasco is the Franklin County seat, so county business such as courts, property records and elections is split between them. Together the two counties make up the Kennewick-Richland metro area.
City by city
Kennewick
Benton County · 89,220 people. The largest city in the two counties: Columbia Park and Clover Island on the river, the main shopping districts, and Southridge in the hills.
Pasco
Franklin County · 85,560 people. Franklin County’s seat and the fastest-growing of the three big cities: historic downtown, the farmers market, Columbia Basin College and the airport.
Richland
Benton County · 66,290 people. Hanford and PNNL’s hometown on the Columbia: Howard Amon Park, the Uptown district, WSU Tri-Cities and Badger Mountain.
West Richland
Benton County · 18,820 people. A growing residential city along the Yakima River, next door to Red Mountain wine country.
Prosser
Benton County · 6,745 people. Benton County’s seat in the Yakima Valley: Vintner’s Village, farm stands and the WSU research station.
Connell
Franklin County · 5,075 people. Wheat country in northern Franklin County and the road to Palouse Falls.
Benton City
Benton County · 3,935 people. A small town on the Yakima River at the foot of Red Mountain’s vineyards.
Smaller communities
- Finley (Benton County): rural community south of Kennewick along the Columbia, with its own school district and Two Rivers Park.
- Plymouth and Paterson (Benton County): Columbia River communities in the Horse Heaven Hills, among vineyards and orchards.
- Mesa (Franklin County): a small city of about 405 people on US-395 north of Pasco.
- Eltopia and Basin City (Franklin County): farming communities between Pasco and Mesa and in the Columbia Basin irrigation district.
- Kahlotus (Franklin County): a town of about 145 in the northeast corner of the county, near the Snake River.
Our coverage follows the county lines: see what we cover. Places just beyond them are in day trips.
Questions people ask
What cities make up the Tri-Cities?
Kennewick, Pasco and Richland. West Richland is usually counted too, and the metro area covers all of Benton and Franklin counties.
Which Tri-City is the biggest?
Kennewick, with 89,220 people in 2026, then Pasco (85,560) and Richland (66,290).
Which city is growing fastest?
Since the 2020 census, West Richland has grown +15.5% and Pasco +11.0%, the fastest in the area. Richland grew +9.5% and Kennewick +6.3%.
Which county is each city in?
Kennewick, Richland, West Richland, Benton City and Prosser are in Benton County. Pasco, Connell, Mesa and Kahlotus are in Franklin County.
Which city should I live in?
Compare schools, utilities and commutes in Moving here: compare the cities.