County · Washington
Benton County, Washington
Benton County, Washington. Benton County had 221,722 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 7.2% since 2020, faster than Washington (+3.8%). It holds 6 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 45 census tracts. GEOID 53005.
Benton County is one of the 2 counties of the Kennewick-Richland, WA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
221,722
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 206,873 · ACS 2020-2024: 212,905
Median household income
$89,874
±$2,080 (90% margin)
Washington: $98,141
Median home value
$407,800
±$7,426 (90% margin)
Washington: $564,600
Median gross rent
$1,306
±$35 (90% margin)
Washington: $1,760
How many people live in Benton County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 206,873 residents in Benton County. The Census Bureau estimates 221,722 for July 1, 2025, up 7.2% since 2020, faster than Washington (+3.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 212,905 over 1,700 square miles of land.
| Measure | Benton County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 212,905 | 7,816,116 | +15,387 |
| Households | 78,046±560 | 3,064,820 | +5,925 |
| Average household size | 2.70±0.02 | 2.50 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 83,101±67 | 3,306,620 | +6,860 |
Benton County's population since 2000
From 142,475 in 2000 to 221,722 in 2025: up 55.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Benton County?
Benton County holds 6 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Kennewick with 88,366 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Kennewick | 83,921 | $73,576 |
|---|---|---|
| Richland | 60,560 | $95,813 |
| West Richland | 16,295 | $119,892 |
| Finley | 6,152 | $92,231 |
| Prosser | 6,062 | $76,985 |
| Benton City | 3,479 | $63,542 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Benton County?
The median resident of Benton County is 36.3 years old; 26.1% are under 18 and 15.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 64.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 25.6%. 11.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Benton County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.3±0.2 | 38.3 | +0.5 |
| Under 18 years | 26.1%±0.1 pts | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.9%±0.1 pts | 16.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 25.6% | 14.4% | +3.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 64.6%±0.3 pts | 63.1% | −5.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.6%±0.2 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 3.0%±0.2 pts | 9.7% | +0.5 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.9%±0.3 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 11.4%±0.7 pts | 15.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 21.6%±0.9 pts | 21.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.5%±0.5 pts | 7.8% | – |
| With a disability | 15.1%±0.8 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.9%±0.6 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.4%±0.8 pts | 92.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 33.2%±1.1 pts | 39.6% | +2.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.9%±0.8 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.0%±0.4 pts | 2.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Benton County earn?
Half of Benton County's 78,046 households earn less than $89,874 a year (±$2,080), against $98,141 in Washington. In 2015-2019 the median was $84,946 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $4,928 after inflation. 11.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Benton County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $89,874±$2,080 | $98,141 | +$4,928 |
| Mean household income | $113,863±$2,618 | $134,588 | – |
| Per capita income | $42,435±$913 | $53,744 | +$1,967 |
| People below the poverty line | 11.0%±1.1 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 13.5%±2.3 pts | 11.6% | −4.0 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.8%±1.0 pts | 11.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.2%±0.8 pts | 93.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Benton County?
Owners occupy 67.6% of Benton County's occupied homes and renters 32.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $407,800 by its owner (±$7,426). The median renter pays $1,306 a month including utilities, and 39.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Benton County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $407,800±$7,426 | $564,600 | +$117,602 |
| Median gross rent | $1,306±$35 | $1,760 | +$107 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.0%±3.2 pts | 40.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,993±$46 | $2,445 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 67.6%±1.2 pts | 63.8% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 83,101±67 | 3,306,620 | +6,860 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.0%±1.5 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 63.0%±1.3 pts | 61.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 8.5%±0.7 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.0%±0.4 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.5%±0.5 pts | 9.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Benton County building?
Builders took permits for 1,663 new housing units across Benton County in 2025 (1,012 single-family), 7.5 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Benton County get to work?
73.5% of Benton County's workers drive alone and 12.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.3%.
| Measure | Benton County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.6%±0.8 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3%±0.6 pts | 5.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 73.5%±1.5 pts | 63.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.5%±1.1 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.1%±0.4 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Walked | 0.9%±0.3 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.9%±1.0 pts | 19.8% | +8.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.2 min±0.6 | 26.6 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Benton County's census tracts?
Benton County is divided into 45 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $29,249 (Tract 112.02) to $190,750 (Tract 108.19).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Benton County compare with Washington's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 10th of 39 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 8th of 39 |
| Residents per square mile | 9th of 39 |
| Median household income | 9th of 39 |
| Median home value | 21st of 39 |
| Median gross rent | 13th of 39 |
| Poverty rate | 26th of 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12th of 39 |
| Median age | 33rd of 39 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Benton County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.