Franklin County's population has grown faster by percentage than any other county in the state since the 2000 census, according to new estimates by the Washington State Office of Financial Management.
Pasco and Kennewick also are among the state's 10 fastest-growing cities based on numbers of residents, and Richland ranked 16th out of 279 cities and towns.
State population growth overall is slowing, according to the estimates, which are prepared annually. The state's population is estimated to have increased by 1.2 percent to 6,668,200 in the last year compared with a peak growth in recent years of 1.9 percent in 2006.
Migration into the state is driven by job opportunities, and Washington's economy remains more attractive than California or Oregon, the states that traditionally have had the most residents moving to Washington. But population gains statewide due to migration still have dropped from 81,000 in 2006 to 39,000 in 2009, said Theresa Lowe, Washington's chief demographer, in a statement.
"Many job seekers are finding it difficult to sell their homes or to relocate to accept employment at the price of paying two mortgages for an extended period," she said.
Franklin County's population has grown 47.3 percent since the 2000 census, making it the fastest growing based on percentage change, the new estimates said. It's estimated to have 72,700 residents, up from 49,347 in 2000. Births accounted for more new residents than people moving into the county.
Benton County has grown from 142,475 people in 2000 to an estimated 169,300, with people moving into the county slightly outpacing births. Benton County ranked fifth in the state.
Pasco is the state's fourth-fastest-growing city based on number of increased residents. Its population increased from 32,066 in 2000 to a current estimate of 54,490. That included 1,769 new residents who live on property annexed into the city.
The fastest-growing city was Seattle, followed by Renton and Auburn, which both had at least half of their population increase attributed to annexation.
Kennewick ranked eighth in the state, with its population growing from 54,751 to an estimated 67,180. More than a third of the increase was based on annexation.
Richland grew from 38,708 residents to an estimated 47,410 people with just 35 new residents from annexation. West Richland ranked 39th, with its population increasing by 3,285 people since 2000 to an estimated 11,670.
Other Mid-Columbia cities had the following estimated population increases from 2000 to 2009:
w Walla Walla -- Up 1,924 to 31,610.
w Sunnyside -- Up 1,435 to 15,340.
w Grandview -- Up 1,028 to 9,405.
w Othello -- Up 748 to 6,595.
w Connell -- Up 474 to 3,430.
w Benton City -- Up 331 to 2,995.
w Prosser -- Up 272 to 5,110.
w Dayton -- Up 80 to 2,735.
w Royal City -- Up 42 to 1,865.
w Waitsburg -- Up 33 to 1,245.
w Kahlotus -- Up 6 to 220.
w Prescott -- Up 6 to 320.
w Washtucna -- Down 25 to 235.
Similar stories:
Pasco's doughnut hole ought to join rest of city
Pasco's doughnut hole ought to join rest of city
The decision to push Pasco's boundaries westward with the new Interstate 182 proved to be a boon to the Tri-Cities over the last 30 years.
The extension of city services to farmlands on the western plateau set the stage for a period of phenomenal growth that helped the Mid-Columbia avoid much of the economic troubles that have plagued the rest of the nation.
It's too bad Pasco and Franklin County didn't figure out a way to expand city limits without creating an island of county land. Any controversy generated by annexing the so-called doughnut hole back then would be long forgotten by now.
Diversification softens hit of Hanford layoffs
Diversification softens hit of Hanford layoffs
Hanford always has been an integral part of the Tri-City economy but officials say the region never has been better prepared for another round of job cuts.
Residents are in the process of being weaned off Hanford jobs, thanks in part to the growth of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, food processing, health care and other services.
Tri-City leaders say this diversified economy will help the area weather the layoffs of 2,000 people at Hanford so far this year and up to another 1,060 more by next fall.
Community copes with 2,000 Hanford layoffs
Community copes with 2,000 Hanford layoffs
Editor's note: Hanford started this year with 12,000 workers and nine months later about 2,000 positions have been cut. Herald reporters and photographers take a closer look at what this means to Tri-Citians and our economy with a daily series of stories that begins today.
The day after the last of almost 2,000 workers were told they were losing their jobs at Hanford, Twigs Bistro and Martini Bar opened at the Columbia Center mall in Kennewick.
Business has been excellent, said general manager Will Willingham. Customers have been filling its 267 seats, with waits of up to 30 minutes on some nights.
Redistricting panel creates new boundaries for 16th District
Redistricting panel creates new boundaries for 16th District
Benton City, Prosser and part of Pasco will get new legislative representation in the 2013 legislative session under a map adopted by the state Redistricting Commission.
The plan was sent to the Legislature about two hours before the commission's drop-dead deadline late Sunday night after days of negotiations centered on how Eastern Washington's legislative districts would be redrawn using population data from the 2010 Census.
The Legislature is not required to approve the plan, and it goes into effect 30 days after the legislative session begins, according to the commission's website.
'Doughnut hole' residents say they don't want to be part of city
'Doughnut hole' residents say they don't want to be part of city
Some county residents wanted to make sure Pasco City Council members know what they think about annexation of their property into the city before discussions begin.
About 13 "doughnut hole" residents told city council members Monday that they didn't want to be part of the city, accompanied by the applause of most of the 40 people present.
Pasco, Franklin County and Franklin Fire District 3 are beginning talks about a planned annexation of about two miles of county land surrounded by city property using a new process that allows an interlocal agreement between all three to set up a schedule and conditions for annexation.
Print
Email Story
