Kennewick

Kennewick is a city in Benton County, Washington, United States. It lies on the south bank of the Columbia River, across from Richland, and is part of the Tri-Cities metropolitan area that also includes Pasco. The city serves as a regional commercial center in the southeastern part of the state and is linked to surrounding communities by major highways.

Kennewick was incorporated in 1904. The area was originally inhabited by Native American peoples before non-indigenous settlement grew in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, aided by the railroad and agricultural development. The city developed as a transportation and agricultural hub, with crops historically including apples, hops, and wine grapes.

In 1996, a nearly 9,000-year-old skeletal remains were discovered near Kennewick. Known as Kennewick Man, the find spurred a prolonged discussion at the intersection of archaeology, anthropology, and Native American repatriation, with the remains ultimately studied and returned to associated tribes for reburial decisions in later years.

Today Kennewick has a diversified economy centered on retail, healthcare, education, manufacturing, and services. It supports a growing residential population and functions as a regional hub for commerce and government services, with parks along the Columbia River and a historic downtown. The climate is semi-arid, characterized by hot summers and cool winters, influenced by the inland location of the Columbia Basin.