Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is located in the northwest corner of North America and made of three states: Washington, Oregon and Idaho. The region also includes the province of British Columbia, Canada.
Just the Facts, Please
The majority of the population is concentrated along the I-5 corridor which includes the cities of Portland, OR Seattle, WA and Vancouver, B.C. As of 2004 the current population density has reached 9 million people in those areas. The eastern parts of the region are less densely populated and consist of rural areas and agricultural communities and has a population of 4-5 million.
Climate
The Pacific Northwest is split by the Cascade Mountain range which divides the region into two different climate zones. In the western portion the winters are wet and mild having an average temperature in the 50's; with the summers averaging a comfortable temperature in the high 70's to mid 80's. The eastern region is arid, has colder and drier winters with hot summers. The area also has an average of 300 days of sunshine.
Economy
The area economies are as diverse as thier climates. The I-5 corridor house company headquarters such as: Microsoft, Boeing, Weyerhauser and Starbucks. The eastern part of the region produces the majority of the country's wheat, potatoes and alfalfa.
Tri-Cities
About the Community
Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland have much to offer. from recreational, cultural and historical activities to affordable housing and quality schools.
Find out what the Tri-Cities has to offer! Select one of the secondary navigation from above
Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau
Yakima Valley Visitors Center
Tri-City Development Council
Schools
Largely because of the high level of education of many of the scientists and engineers who have relocated here, educational standards and expectations are very high, and educational achievement is well above the national average.
In the Richland School District, for example, scores on standardized tests are consistently 20 to 50 percent above national averages, and 70 percent of high school graduates go on to college. For three consecutive years, the district received Gold Medal Awards for educational excellence from Expansion Management magazine, and numerous teachers and students have won national recognition for their achievements, especially in science and math. Special programs are offered for gifted children and for children with special needs. Secondary schools offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, including a science club and science bowl team, a drama club and a literary magazine, a math team, jazz and marching bands, a choir, and an orchestra.
An educational network for the Tri-Cities region includes links to web sites for all the school districts, which in turn contain links to some individual schools within the district.
| District | Elementary | Middle | High School | Alternative | Private |
| Richland | 8 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Kennenwick | 14 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Pasco | 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Burbank | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Benton City | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Finley | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Private Schools
Bethlehem Lutheran School
Christ the King School
Liberty Christian School of the Tri-Cities
St. Joseph's Catholic School
Adult Education
Both degree and extensive non-degree courses of study are available at area colleges:
Columbia Basin College
Washington State University at Tri-Cities
City University
Housing
Many houses and rental accommodations are available in Richland, Pasco, and Kennewick and in the adjoining communities of West Richland, Benton City, Finley, and Burbank. In deciding where to live, consider your preference in school districts and convenience to your work location and the places you will frequent most.
Additional information is available on-line by searching for real estate at http://www.tri-citylinks.com/.
Homes listed by owners as well as real estate agents can be found on the Tri-City Herald's Home Search page, located at:
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/homesearch/welcome.html
Tri-City Realtor's Association
Tri-City Apartment Association
Home Builders Association of the Tri-Cities
Health Care
The Tri-Cities has an impressive range of health care services and facilities. A full range of services, from routine checkups to surgical procedures and emergency treatment, is accessible from any location in the area. There are also major surgical and emergency facilities in Seattle and a heart surgery and treatment center in Spokane, relatively close to the area.
A directory of area health care services with links to web sites for hospitals and specialized treatment facilities can be found at http://www.tri-city.com/Main/Area_Heal.html
Major hospitals
Kadlec Medical Center
Kennewick General Hospital
Lourdes Health Network
Recreation
Recreational areas accessible in the area and within a few hours of driving include facilities along the Columbia and Snake rivers, where boating and fishing are very popular, and several state parks.
The area's three rivers provide 500 miles of waterways suitable for fishing, water skiing, sailing, and wind surfing, and there are bicycle and walking paths along the Columbia River. Swimmers have access to nine area pools in addition to the rivers, and there are 76 tennis courts in the area. Skiers and other winter sports enthusiasts can reach 10 ski areas within two hours of driving.
The Hanford Reach is a free-flowing stretch of the Columbia River that extends through the Hanford Reservation, just north of Richland. The Hanford Reach was recently designated as a national monument.
Not far to the southwest is the breathtaking Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and to the west are Mt. Adams, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, and the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. To the northwest is Mt. Rainier National Park. Closer to home, wine country. For details and advice on planning your tour.
Commerce
The Tri-Cities area boasts a well-established infrastructure, capable of supporting business, industry and lifestyle. With an active Chamber of Commerce, an involved community of concerned citizens, an award- winning K-12 educational system, a two-year community college and a four-year university, and three major medical facilities, the Tri-Cities is a wonderful place to live, work and play.
West Richland Chamber of Commerce
Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce
Pasco Chamber of Commerce
Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau
TRIDEC
Tri-City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Worship
Christianity is the primary religion in the Tri-Cities area, and there are places of worship for all Christian denominations as well as for most other religions. A very extensive listing of places of worship is available on-line at http://www.whitepages.com
Arts and Entertainment
Performing Arts
Tri-Cities hosts a ballet company, a theater group, a symphony orchestra, and a light opera troupe.
Camerata Musica
Three Rivers Folk Life Society
Spokane Opera House
Seatle Art and Entertainment
Libraries
The Richland Public Library
Mid-Columbia Library-West Richland Branch
Consolidated Libraries of Washington State University, Tri-Cities
Museums and Art Galleries
Franklin County Historical Museum
Dining
The Tri-Cities area offers plenty of restaurants ranging from fast food to elegant dining. An extensive guide to area restaurants is available on-line at http://www.mytri-cities.com