The population has been growing for some time across the Tri-Cities. The state Office of Financial Management tracks population growth in all areas of Washington and releases annual population change reports in July.
The latest estimate suggests that Tri-Cities is still growing at a solid rate. Overall, the state population grew, with more than 8 million residents currently in Washington. According to the report, the Evergreen State has grown by 329,400 residents, or 4.3%, since 2020.
Map used in the 2024 poulation change in Washington press release from the Office of Financial Management shows which counties grew the most in population on a numerical scale. Courtesy: Office of Financial Management
Population change in Tri-Cities
The 2024 population across the Tri-Cities region are:
Benton County: 217,850
Franklin County: 102,300
Richland: 64,190
Kennewick: 87,120
Pasco: 82,220
Each region had growth over the last year, continuing a trend that’s persisted through the 2020s
In 2020, the respective populations were:
Benton County: 206,873 (5.3% growth)
Franklin County: 96,749 (5.74% growth)
Richland: 60,560 (5.87% growth)
Kennewick: 83,921 (3.76% growth)
Pasco: 77,108 (6.48% growth)
The top 25 cities with the most significant numerical population change from 2023 to 2024 include Pasco (11th), Richland (12th), and Kennewick (24th). However, none are in the top 25 for the greatest population growth by percentage in the same period.
In Benton County, the majority of the growth came from people moving in rather than births within the county. According to the report, more than twice as many people moved into Benton County than were born there in the past year.
Map used in the 2024 poulation change in Washington press release from the Office of Financial Management shows which counties had the greatest population increases through move-ins. Courtesy: Office of Financial Management
The opposite occurred in Franklin County, where more than three times as many births occurred in the county than move-ins.
Benton, Franklin counties population changes
Benton County grew outside of Richland and Kennewick, too. Nowhere has had a year-to-year decrease, according to the OFM data.
Benton City had 3,479 residents in 2020. In 2024, it had 3,845.
Prosser had 6,062 residents in 2020. By 2024, it had 6,610.
West Richland had 16,295 residents in 2020. By 2024, it had 18,280.
Unincorporated Benton County had 36,556 residents in 2020. By 2024, it had 37,805.
Growth has also been seen in Franklin County, though two towns strayed from that pattern. Connell and Kahlotus saw population decreases from 2020 to 2021, and neither has reached the population numbers it had 2020.
Connell had 5,441 residents in 2020. By 2024, 5,175.
Kahlotus had 147 residents in 2020. By 2024, 145.
Mesa had 385 residents in 2020. By 2024, 400.
Unincorporated Franklin County had 13,668 residents in 2020. By 2024, 14,360.
This story was originally published July 3, 2024, 5:00 AM.