Population221,722 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
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Benton County, WashingtonExplore local resources and participating businesses in Benton County, Washington.
Benton County at a Glance
Population221,722 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatProsser
Largest City (2026)Kennewick (2026 OFM)
Year Organized1905 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP Code Examples99320, 99336, 99337, 99345, 99350
Total Area, Including Water1,759.701 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-82, I-182, US 395
Local Area Codes509
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Discover Benton County
Benton County
Benton County was established in 1905 from parts of Yakima and Klickitat counties, with Prosser as its seat. The region's Indigenous and river-trade histories preceded that administrative change. Railway connections and irrigation helped shape Prosser's development, while other county communities followed their own paths. These themes make the county broader than a single city history. They also show why water, transportation and public institutions should be considered together when exploring the working landscape and the relationships among its towns.
Pair Prosser's civic history with one other community or a specific public river destination. Current maps are essential for choosing access points rather than assuming that all riverfront or irrigated land is open. Local museum interpretation can explain the relationship between transport and agriculture. A two-stop route allows the county's different community roles to emerge more clearly than a general drive through the wider region.
What Shapes Us
Place And Character
The Columbia and Yakima river systems provide geographic context, while railway and irrigation development connect the civic story with the agricultural landscape around its towns.
The Local Story
Benton County was established in 1905 from parts of Yakima and Klickitat counties, with Prosser as its seat. The region's Indigenous and river-trade histories preceded that administrative change.
Explore The County
Pair Prosser's civic history with one other community or a specific public river destination. Current maps are essential for choosing access points rather than assuming that all riverfront or irrigated land is open.
Discover the town connections within a river-shaped working landscape.
A Closer Look
Benton County
Places and perspectives from Benton County
Tri-Cities news · Tri-Cities
Nuclear waste made workers sick. Despite a law meant to help, DOE keeps fighting their claims
Lonnie Rouse shuffled into a wood-paneled conference room at the Washington state Capitol in March 2018. It had…
Read the Story Oct 26, 2026 • Read at sourceAround Benton County
Local coverage first, followed by Washington and national updates when needed.
Tri-Cities news · Tri-Cities
Nuclear waste made workers sick. Despite a law meant to help, DOE keeps fighting their claims
Lonnie Rouse shuffled into a wood-paneled conference room at the Washington state Capitol in March 2018. It had…
Oct 26, 2026 • Read at source
Tri-Cities news · Tri-Cities
Heritage receives $2.5M grant to expand nursing education
Toppenish-based Heritage University recently received a $2.5 million federal grant intended to create a new pathway for rural…
Oct 26, 2026 • Read at source
Tri-Cities news · Tri-Cities
Avian influenza detected in Benton County dairy herd
State agriculture officials announced they have found highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, in a Benton County dairy…
Oct 26, 2026 • Read at source
Tri-Cities news · Tri-Cities
Survey: Cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans rises again
The price health insurance companies charge for employer-sponsored plans increased again this year, as did the deductible many…
Oct 25, 2026 • Read at source
Tri-Cities news · Tri-Cities
Largest gas pipeline network in Northwest could grow
The Oklahoma-based company that owns one of the largest gas pipeline networks in the Northwest is beginning to…
Oct 25, 2026 • Read at source
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Benton County government — County offices and public services.
Departments and services — Find the office responsible for your request.
Washington state services — State agencies and programs.
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Finley Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 213504 E COUGAR RD, KENNEWICK, WA 99337. 509-586-7577.
Amistad Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 123 S Kent St, KENNEWICK, WA 99336. 509-222-5100.
Kiona-Benton City Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 913 Horne Drive, Benton City, WA 99320. 509-588-2000.
Paterson Elementary School – Elementary; grades KG-08. 51409 W. Prior Rd., Paterson, WA 99345. 509-875-2601.
Keene-Riverview Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-02. 832 Park Ave., Prosser, WA 99350. 509-786-2020.
Twin Rivers Group Home – High; grades 09-12. 605 MCMURRAY, RICHLAND, WA 99352. 509-734-7120.
Finley Middle School – Middle; grades 06-08. 37208 S FINLEY RD, KENNEWICK, WA 99337. 509-586-7561.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Trios Health – Acute Care Hospitals. 3780 Plaza Way, Kennewick, WA 99338. 509-586-6111.
Prosser Memorial Hospital – Critical Access Hospitals. 723 Memorial Street, Prosser, WA 99350. 509-786-2222.
Kadlec Regional Medical Center – Acute Care Hospitals. 888 Swift Blvd, Richland, WA 99352. 509-946-4611.
Lourdes Counseling Center – Psychiatric. 1175 Carondelet Drive, Richland, WA 99352. 509-943-9104.
Public Safety
For an emergency, call 911. Use the department website for non-emergency contact information.
Benton County sheriff — Law enforcement information and departmental contacts.
Emergency Services
Call 911 for an immediate emergency.
Emergency management — Preparedness resources and local alerts.
National Weather Service — Forecasts and weather warnings; search by location.
Ready.gov — Household emergency planning.
State Parks
Sacajawea Historical State Park — Nearby in Pasco, Franklin County
Find Washington state parks — Search additional parks and activities.
Discover Pass — Parking pass information.
Trails
Benton County parks and trails — Local recreation destinations and maps.
Sacajawea Historical State Park maps and visitor information — Nearby in Pasco, Franklin County
Utilities
Solid Waste Advisory Committee
Benton PUD — Service, billing and outage information. Confirm whether this provider serves your address.
County public works — County infrastructure and public works services.
Electricity, gas, water, sewer and waste services can have different providers. Check service boundaries for the specific property.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Richland Public Library – 955 Northgate Dr, Richland, WA 99352. 509-942-7454.
Benton City Branch Library – 810 Horne Road, Benton City, WA 99320. 509-588-6471.
Keewaydin Park Branch Library – 405 S. Dayton, Kennewick, WA 99336. 509-586-3156.
Prosser Branch Library – 902 7Th Street, Prosser, WA 99350. 509-786-2533.
West Richland Branch Library – 3803 W. Van Giesen, West Richland, WA 99353. 509-967-3191.
Kennewick Branch Library – 1620 S. Union, Kennewick, WA 99338. 509-783-7878.
Courts
Benton County court services — Court information and local contacts.
Washington Courts directory — Choose Benton County to find superior, district, municipal and juvenile courts.
DMV
Washington — Renew or replace a driver license
Washington — Find a driver licensing office
Washington — Renew or replace vehicle tabs
Transportation
Ben Franklin Transit — Routes, schedules, rider information and service-area details.
WSDOT maps — State highway maps and travel planning.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Benton County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Benton County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
221,722 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
1,759.701 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with Commissioners, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
For emergencies, call 911.
Benton County sheriff — Use the official department page for non-emergency contacts and services.
Benton County government — Find county departments, public meetings and services.
Start with Sheriff, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Human Resources, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Veterans Court, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with these official Washington resources: Renew or replace a driver license; Find a driver licensing office; Renew or replace vehicle tabs. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
Search USAJOBS for federal positions and the Apprenticeship Finder for apprenticeship opportunities, using location filters to narrow the results. USAGov job-training guidance points to training programs and state resources. Check each listing for current availability, eligibility and application instructions; a search result does not guarantee an opening in the county.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make Time to ExploreBrowse local places by the kind of day you have in mind.
Explore Benton County
Featured local businesses
Parks and outdoor places
Sacajawea Historical State Park — Nearby in Pasco, Franklin County
Benton County parks and trails
Getting around
A New Stop, a Local ConnectionExplore the Listings Below