Living here
Everyday life in the Tri-Cities, sorted
Garbage day, bus times, school enrollment, smoke and outage alerts, libraries, help with food and rent, and what’s being built near you. Everything a Kennewick, Pasco or Richland resident looks up, in one place and in English and Spanish.
Right now
- This Afternoon66°FSunny
- Tonight43°FMostly Cloudy☂ 3%
- Monday65°FMostly Cloudy☂ 3%
✓ No active weather alerts for Benton or Franklin County.
Getting settled
Every day
Help & answers
Stay in the loop
The Tri-Cities at a glance
| Topic | The short answer |
|---|---|
| People | 329,100 in Benton (223,200) and Franklin (105,900) counties, April 1, 2026 |
| Rain | About 7.6 inches a year, on roughly 25 days with a tenth of an inch or more |
| Summer | July averages a high of 92.5°F; about 55 days a year reach 90°F and 11 reach 100°F |
| Winter | January averages a low of 27.8°F and a high of 41.4°F |
| Sales tax | 8.1% to 8.9% depending on where you buy (see rates by city) |
| Income tax | Washington has no state personal income tax |
| Phones & time | Area code 509, Pacific time |
| Getting out of town | Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) and the Amtrak station are both in Pasco; BFT buses reach the airport |
Sources: WA OFM population estimates · NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Tri-Cities Airport · WA Department of Revenue rates from Oct. 1, 2026
Common questions
When is my garbage day?
It depends on your city and hauler. Our garbage and recycling guide links each city’s pickup lookup and holiday schedule.
Who provides my electricity?
It depends on your address: Richland runs its own utility, Benton PUD covers Kennewick and much of Benton County, Franklin PUD covers Pasco and Franklin County, and Benton REA serves much of West Richland. Details are in Moving here: utilities.
Do kids ride the bus free?
Yes. Riders 18 and younger ride Ben Franklin Transit free, and so do seniors 65 and older with the free Senior Pass. See bus times and fares.
How do I hear about emergencies?
Sign up for CodeRED alerts and learn the Hanford siren signals on our alerts and outages page. For smoke, check live air quality.
Where can I get help with food or rent?
Food banks, energy and rent assistance, crisis lines and low-cost clinics are listed on Food, housing and help. You can also dial 2-1-1.
How do I enroll my child in school?
Enroll with the district for your address. Our schools page lists every district, how to enroll and the school-year calendars.
Latest local updates
Richland schools consider $103 million bond for February 2027 ballot
Richland School District's board considered placing a $103 million bond, smaller than the one voters rejected in 2024, on the February 2027 special election ballot to fund Chief Joseph Middle School upgrades, new portables at River's Edge High School and districtwide safety improvements.
Pasco’s temporary ban on new data centers set to expire in December
Pasco's moratorium on new data center projects, adopted in June, is scheduled to expire in December, and residents have asked the city council to extend or make it permanent.
The Peacock closes in Kennewick; owners plan new concept in Richland
The Peacock, a coffee-and-cocktail spot on Columbia Center Boulevard, has closed, and its owners are opening a new restaurant and bar called Phoenix & Folly at 50 Comstock St.
Cascade Natural Gas proposes municipal tax increase for Richland customers
Cascade Natural Gas has asked state regulators to raise Richland's municipal gas tax from 8.5% to 9.289%, which would add about $0.76 a month to a typical residential bill starting Oct.
Grading begins on the 213-lot Sunny Meadows subdivision in Kennewick
Fill work has started at 240 E. 49th Ave.
Recently tracked projects
Developer buys 1,000+ acres in West Richland for future Lewis & Clark Ranch project
Tri-Cities Airport plans deicing facility expansion
Benton City Urban Growth Area expansion proposed
Richland Urban Growth Area amendment near Badger Mountain Preserve proposed
Emergency? Call 911. Can’t find what you need? Ask the Hub and we’ll research it.