Pasco Washington

Pasco Washington

A part of Franklin County in the state of Washington, Pasco is one of the three cities that together make up Tri City in the Southeastern Washington. The Washington State Office of Financial Management estimates a population of 46,494 in Pasco on April 1, 2006. Pasco has been recorded to be growing at the fastest pace in the entire state of Washington for the past several years.

The origin of Pasco started when the Lewis and Clark Expedition camped here in October of 1805, inviting attention of fur tappers and gold traders. In 1880s, Northern Pacific Railway was built near the Columbia River, resulting into early settlements in the area. Eventually, Pasco was officially incorporated on 03 rd of September 1891. The city was named after Cerro de Pasco, a city in the Peruvian Andes. The prospects of the city took a vital turn with completion of Grand Coulee Dam in 1941, which not only brightened the irrigation and farming opportunities, but also decided the site of nuclear power plant at the nearby Hanford site. The entire Tricity grew rapidly though Kennewick and Richland remained favorites for settlers. As Pasco's economy depended highly upon government funding for Hanford-related work, the city projected a relatively higher poverty level and consequent smallest population over time.

Since 1990s, developers started showing interest in residential and commercial development of Pasco, eventually resulting into emergence of 'West Pasco' - local name to city's part sporting new housing tracts, apartments, and shopping centers. Developers foresaw boom due to Hanford-related jobs. The transformation not only comprised growth in terms city's retail and tourism industries, it also resulted into substantial population increase to beat the neighboring city of Richland. Migration from Richland and Kennewick to West Pasco was also witnessed due to its unique central location with all-new housing and business opportunities for a convenient life.

The agricultural predominance in the region allows Pasco to be hub to several food processing companies, including Simplot, ConAgra Foods, Reser's Fine Foods, and Twin City Foods. The local wine industry is especially on a boom to become one among the top players in Washington state. Pasco is also home to the only regional commercial and private airport of Tricity – the Tricity Airport.

Pasco also boasts of a rapidly growing campus of Columbia Basin College with a student body of nearly 7,000 students. Pasco high school is one of the largest public high schools in the state of Washington. Pasco also hosts a multitude of recreational activities and events, including the Pasco Farmers Market from May through October each year, The Fiery Food Festival each September and Tri-City Dust Devils baseball club of the Northwest League. Besides, TRAC (Trade Recreation Agricultural Center) located in West Pasco hosts regional events, including conventions, meetings, sporting events, and concerts. In the scenario, the growth of Pasco is bound to be steadily upwards on the cards.

Pasco Geography & Climate

Pasco is located at 46°14′19″N, 119°6′31″W (46.238507, -119.108534). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 78.3 km² (30.2 mi²). 72.7 km² (28.1 mi²) of it is land and 5.5 km² (2.1 mi²) of it (7.08%) is water.

As Pasco is located in Southeastern Washington, the city lies in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountain Range. As a result, the area is a windswept desert, receiving little precipitation throughout the year. Hot summers and cold winters provide a stark contrast to other areas of the state.

The massive Columbia River borders the south side of the city, separating it from the neighboring cities of Richland and Kennewick.

Pasco Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 32,066 people, 9,619 households, and 7,262 families residing in the city. In 2005, the Washington State Office of Financial Management estimates the number to be 44,190. The population density was 440.9/km² (1,141.9/mi²). There were 10,341 housing units at an average density of 142.2/km² (368.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 52.76% White, 3.22% African American, 0.77% Native American, 1.77% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 37.44% from other races, and 3.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 56.26% of the population. There were 9,619 households out of which 45.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.5% were non-families. 20.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.3 and the average family size was 3.79.

In the city the population was spread out with 35.5% under the age of 18, 11.8% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 15.5% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,540, and the median income for a family was $37,342. Males had a median income of $29,016 versus $22,186 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,404. About 19.5% of families and 23.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.4% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.

Pasco City Government

The City of Pasco exercises the Council-Manager form of government with an elected body of 7 council members, 5 of which are from specific districts within the city, and 2 from at-large. The council semi-annually elects amongst itself a Mayor that runs meetings, signs certain documents, and acts in ceremonial capacity; and a Mayor Pro-Tem that acts in the Mayor's absence. The City Manager is chosen by council as a professional administrator and runs day-to-day operations of the city including management of staff. Council members are considered part-time legislators. Those elected in 2006 and after receive $900 per month and mayors receive $1,100 a month.

The City also has a number of advisory boards appointed by the Council and includes citizen volunteers that giver their time and expertise in dealing with issues including parks, senior citizen issues, planning, code enforcement, etc.

Business in Pasco Washington

Due to the agricultural region in which it sits, several large food processing companies have a presence in the city of Pasco. Simplot, ConAgra Foods, Reser's Fine Foods, and Twin City Foods are just some of the companies that have chosen Pasco in which to base a part of their operations.

Pasco is home to the Tri-Cities Airport a regional commercial and private airport. The Tri-Cities Airport is the only commercial airport in the Tri-Cities area and is served by several major airlines with direct flights to Seattle, Portland, Denver, Salt Lake City, and Las Vegas.

In recent years, the region has become a large player in Washington State's booming wine indsutry. Gordon Brothers Cellars, Kamiak Vineyards, and Preston Premium Wines are just a few of the local Pasco area wineries that contribute to this industry.

Pasco Wa Education

Pasco is served by the Pasco School District and Columbia Basin College.

Pasco High School is currently the city's only public high school, and is one of the largest in the state of Washington. However, due to the rapid growth of the city in recenty years, a second high School was approved via a voter bond and is currently under construction. Chiawana High School will open in Fall 2009. The school recently adopted the Riverhawks as their mascot with school colors of navy blue and silver.

With a rapidly growing campus, Columbia Basin College is the largest public two-year community college in Southeastern Washington with a student body of nearly 7,000 students. The college was founded in 1955 and serves students from the entire Tri-Cities region.

Pasco Wa Recreation

Among all of Pasco's annual activities and events, the most popular is the Pasco Farmers Market, located in downtown Pasco. The market is open from May through October each year, drawing a large regional crowd and providing an outlet for farmers selling fresh produce.

The Fiery Food Festival is another popular event held each September. This one-day event celebrates spicy foods of all varieties, and highlights the thriving Hispanic culture that lives in the city.

Pasco hosts the Tri-City Dust Devils baseball club of the Northwest League. The Dust Devils are a Class A team of the Colorado Rockies. The team plays during summer months during its relatively short season.

Pasco is located along a major stretch of the 22-mile Sacagawea Heritage Trail, an interactive educational and recreational hiking/biking loop that circles the Tri-Cities area.

Pasco has several waterfront parks along the Columbia River, as well as easy river access for boaters, fishers, and skiers at any of the free boat launches.

The TRAC (Trade Recreation Agricultural Center) is a large complex located in West Pasco which hosts regional events, including (but not limited to) conventions, meetings, sporting events, and concerts. The TRAC is located near the booming Road 68 corridor of West Pasco. See Wikipedia, Pasco Washington.