Benton County, Washington
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Benton County, Washington | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Washington |
|
 Washington's location in the U.S. |
|
| Statistics | |
| Founded | March 8, 1905 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Prosser |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
1,760 sq mi (4,558 km²) 1,703 sq mi (4,411 km²) 57 sq mi (148 km²), 3.24% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
142,475 83/sq mi (32/km²) |
| Website: www.co.benton.wa.us | |
Benton County is a county located in the south-central portion of the U.S. state of Washington. The Columbia River makes up the north, south, and east boundaries of the county. In 2000, its population was 142,475. The county seat is Prosser, and its largest city is Kennewick. It was named after Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton.
Benton County was created out of Klickitat County on March 8, 1905.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,760 square miles (4,559 km²), of which, 1,703 square miles (4,411 km²) of it is land and 57 square miles (148 km²) of it (3.24%) is water.
[edit] Adjacent counties
- Grant County, Washington - north
- Franklin County, Washington - northeast
- Walla Walla County, Washington - east
- Umatilla County, Oregon - south/southeast
- Morrow County, Oregon - south/southwest
- Klickitat County, Washington - west/southwest
- Yakima County, Washington - west
[edit] Wineries
The area of south-central Washington occupied by Benton County has been known primarily as an agricultural hub since its settlement by white Americans. The rise of viticulture has had a profound impact on the agricultural and tourism industries over the past two decades, and has in many ways reshaped the reputation of the region. Prominent wineries and tasting rooms located in the area include but are not limited to:
[edit] Tri-Cities tasting rooms
- Badger Mountain (organic) Vineyard, Kennewick
- Bernard Griffin Winery, Richland
- Bookwalter Winery, Richland
- Goose Ridge Vineyards, Richland
- Powers Winery, Kennewick
- Tagaris Winery and Taverna, Richland