Frosty Candy Mountain, 2008
West Richland’s story
71 years in pictures
Census counts: 1,347 in 1960, 16,295 in 2020. The archive holds 12 old photos and papers going back to 2008 and 3 maps from 1951 on.
- 1955West Richland is settled
Photo: Iop90cwl · CC BY-SA 4.0
Population
19,257
2025 Census estimate · +18.3% since 2020
Typical home
$495K
+0.1% in a year
Household income
$120K
median
Median age
35.5
years
Jobs based here
3,031
A commuter town
TownGrade
B+
#40 of 285 in WA
Is West Richland a good place to live?
A well-rated place to live, with prices to match. Its strongest is health (A): CDC estimates put its residents' health ahead of 85% of the country. West Richland grades B+ overall and ranks 40th of 285 in Washington. Set against the rest, it does better than three quarters of U.S. towns. What holds it back is cost of living (C) — the typical home is worth about $495K, 5.6 years of the Kennewick metro’s $89K median household income. On history, just 2 of Washington’s 397 towns do worse. The biggest park or preserve is Bombing Range Sports Complex, at 24 acres. The town’s July high is 90°F, above both Washington’s towns (77°F) and U.S. towns (85°F).
Figures: health, CDC PLACES · home values, Zillow · incomes, Census ACS, 2020–24 · National Register of Historic Places · OpenStreetMap · NOAA normals, 1991–2020.
What makes West Richland stand out
Where West Richland beats most towns.
A growing town
West Richland has grown 63% since 2010
11,811 counted in 2010 and 16,295 in 2020; an estimated 19,257 in 2025.
Growth hasn’t slowed: 18.3% since 2020, after 38% in the decade before.
U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 counts · Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025
How West Richland grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Washington), ordered by how far West Richland is from typical.
HealthKadlec Regional Medical Center 5.5 miles awayAOpen →WalkabilityEPA walkability 9.3 of 20; 3.5% of households have no carA−Open →Cost of livingHomes are harder to afford than in most townsCOpen →SafetyBetter than most of the towns comparedB+Open →SchoolsGraded on exam and test resultsB+Open →Jobs & incomeIncomes and work beat most townsBOpen →Hazard riskInland flooding tops the listC+Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors1 mile of trail; 1% conserved landCOpen →HistoryIn the bottom fifth of the towns comparedD−Open →Civic life2.4 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsC+Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
How TownRatings grades towns →
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to West Richland: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in West Richland, and how to reach them.
PowerPUD No 1 of Benton County9.1¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterCity of West Richland water systemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet10 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpBy addressTown’s hauler · day by addressTown site
SchoolsRichland School DistrictKiona-Benton City School District2 districts serve West Richland; which school depends on your address and gradeNCES
Register to voteOnlineIn Washington you can register online until 8 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (received 8 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereBenton County AuditorBenton County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jun 2022
ZIP code9935399353 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Sep 30, 2026.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in West Richland.
West Richland fares better on crime within Washington than nationally, owes part of its health edge to its incomes and has more than doubled its jobs in ten years.
HealthA
For health, West Richland earns an A
Against the 5,760 U.S. towns with household incomes like West Richland’s, it is healthier than 67%, a smaller edge than it has nationally: part of it comes with its incomes.
27% of West Richland adults have high blood pressure. This Washington town does better than the Washington average on 6 of 31 CDC measures and worse on 1. Among adults locally, 30% sleep under 7 hours and 71% had a checkup this year.
85%healthier than U.S. townsAHealth Grade
| West Richland | Washington towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 27% | 31% | 35% |
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 30% | 33% | 36% |
| Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES) | 71% | 71% | 79% |
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 18% | 17% | 16% |
31 measures vs. Washington
6 better24 too close to call1 worse
| What stands out | West Richland | WA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults facing food insecurity | 8.4% | 10.2% |
| Fewer adults with high blood pressure | 26.7% | 30.5% |
| More adults with obesity | 34.8% | 30.6% |
Kadlec Regional Medical Center
5.5 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
70th
percentile among WA towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
SchoolsB+
West Richland’s public schools outperform 70% of Washington districts
Public schools: the Richland School District. Below: Two of its 6 schools, each with why it was picked.
70%of WA districts it outscoresB+School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leona Libby Middle SchoolLargest public middle schoolGrades 6–8 | Grades 6–8 | 805 | – |
| Special ProgramsLargest public high schoolGrades PK–12 | Grades PK–12 | 14 | – |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within WA on state tests and graduation
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B
With 0.4 jobs for every working resident, most of West Richland’s workers commute out
Jobs based here grew from 756 in 2013 to 3,031.
For West Richland, the middle household income is $120,000. Jobs based in West Richland grew to 3,031 in 2023, 2,275 more than in 2013. Half commute less than 7 miles. The top destinations are Richland (42%), Kennewick (14%) and Pasco (8%).
7%work in town
| West Richland | Washington towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $120,000 | $98,000 | $80,000 |
| Work from home | 16% | 15% | 11% |
| Average trip to work | 25 minutes | 27 minutes | 25 minutes |
Where working residents work
In West Richland7%
Richland42%
Kennewick14%
Pasco8%
Seattle2%
7 mi
median commute distance
3,031
jobs based in West Richland
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
A−
Walkability grade: more walkable than 75% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
SafetyB+
Crime per resident in West Richland is lower than in 70% of U.S. towns
At 11.3 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, it reports less crime than 89% of Washington’s graded towns.
West Richland’s level of property crime is 6.2 per 1,000 residents. The level of violent crime for West Richland comes to 1.2 per 1,000 residents.
70%of U.S. towns report more crimeB+Safety Grade
| West Richland | Washington towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 6.2 per 1,000 residents | 15.1 | 9.9 |
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 1.2 per 1,000 residents | 1.5 | 1.6 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
West Richland1.2
Washington2.9
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
West Richland6.2
Washington20.2
U.S.15.5
70th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
89th
percentile among WA towns
23
violent crimes reported in 2025
121
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
Who lives here
More children than Washington overall
Nearly two in five adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree or more in West Richland. Children under 18 are 31% of residents (21% statewide); adults 18 to 34 are 18% of residents (24% statewide). 19,257 people lived in West Richland by the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate, 18% more than in 2020. The age of the median resident in the town is 35.5 years.
35.5median age · WA 38.3
| West Richland | Washington towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | 31% | 22% | 22% |
| Aged 65 or older | 13% | 16% | 18% |
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 39% | 30% | 29% |
| Median age | 35.5 years | 38.6 years | 40.5 years |
West RichlandWashingtonUnited States
Ages · share of residents
16%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma8%
High school19%
Some college21%
Associate’s13%
Bachelor’s26%
Graduate14%
Women and men · all residents
51% women, 49% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±1.9 points. Across Washington, 49.6% of residents are women. Median age: women 36.6, men 34.5.
| West Richland | WA | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 15.8% | 11.5% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 15.1% | 9.9% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 6.8% | 8.5% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 11.6% | 15.2% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 15.7% | 14.3% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 12.4% | 12% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 10.1% | 12% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 7.5% | 10.1% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 5% | 6.5% | 7% |
| No diploma | 8.3% | 7.7% | 10.4% |
| High school | 18.7% | 21.6% | 26% |
| Some college | 21.1% | 21% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 12.5% | 10% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 25.5% | 24% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 13.9% | 15.6% | 14.1% |
Census population estimates, 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Climate
Expect mild winters and hot summers in West Richland
Winters in West Richland are chilly and summers warm, with very little rain.
2″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter28–42°
Spring40–66°
Summer57–87°
Fall41–64°
Oct 24
typical first frost
Apr 6
typical last frost
+0.9°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
HousingCost of living grade C
For cost of living, West Richland earns a C
The typical home value in the town is about $495,000, about the same as a year ago, 16% below the Washington typical home. West Richland’s rent at the middle of the market stands at $1,590 a month. The share of households in West Richland who are owner-occupiers: 83%.
$495KZillow home value
| West Richland | Washington towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 83% | 70% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,590 a month | $1,740 a month | $1,185 a month |
Typical home value
West Richland$495K
Washington$588K
Market temperature
36
days on market
99.4%
sale-to-list price
+0.1%
value change, 1 year
23
homes sold in September
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade C+
Moderate risk in West Richland, with inland flooding at the top
Compared with 56% of U.S. communities, expected storm and flood damage in West Richland is higher. 57% of the town’s expected losses from natural hazards come from inland flooding, followed by wildfires at 14%. Federal aid has come to West Richland households in 2 declared disasters; the latest was in 2009.
56risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingWildfireHeat waves
9
paid flood claims since 1990
2
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA disaster declarations and aid · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
OutdoorsC
Conservation land takes up 1.4% of West Richland
Trails run 1.4 miles in 15 parks and preserves. West Richland’s density of trails comes in at 0.1 miles per square mile. Parks and preserves locally: 15, covering 97 acres.
1.4%conserved
| West Richland | Washington towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miles of trail per square mile | 0.1 miles per square mile | 0.8 | 0.4 |
| Conserved land | 1.4% | 4% | 4.3% |
1.4%
conserved · 201 of 14,168 acres
1.4 mi
of trails · 0.1 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Yakima River Gateway Park | 0.3 mi | 4 |
| 2. Bombing Range Sports Complex | — | 24 |
| 3. Park at the Lakes | — | 20 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Keep exploring
Everything we know about West Richland
19pages on West Richland
The big questions
SchoolsB+Beat 70% of WA districts · 6 schoolsSafetyB+1.2 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthABetter than WA on 6 of 31 CDC measuresCost of livingC$495K typical home · up 0.1% in a yearWork & commuteB$120K median household income · 3,031 jobs hereNatural hazardsC+FEMA risk higher than 56% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
2 within 15 miles of the center of West Richland
Pacific Northwest Christian CollegeCommunity college · Private nonprofit · Kennewick12.9 mi$11,350 tuitionColumbia Basin CollegeUniversity or college · Public · Pasco13.4 mi$6,555 in-state tuition
About 5 of every 100 West Richland residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Washington.
A commuter town
93% of working residents leave West Richland for work
Where West Richland’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
3,031jobs based in West Richland
7%of working residents work in town
7 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
About West Richland
City in Washington, United States
West Richland is a city in Benton County, Washington. The population was 16,295 at the time of the 2020 census. The city is part of the Tri-Cities metropolitan area, whose principal cities (the Tri-Cities) are Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1955
- Area
- 22 sq mi
- Elevation
- 413 ft
- ZIP code
- 99353
- Area code
- 509
West Richland’s neighbors
One town shares a border with West Richland.
RichlandWest Richland
How the neighbors grade
| Town | WA rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Richland | #40 | B+ | C | B+ | B+ | A |
| Richland | #109 | B− | C | C | A− | A |
Questions about West Richland
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is West Richland, WA a good place to live?
By most measures, yes. West Richland grades B+ overall, better than 75% of U.S. towns and #40 of 285 in Washington. It grades A for health, B+ for safety and B+ for schools.
Is West Richland, WA expensive?
Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades C.