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Overview Location and Land Area  The City of Yakima is located in south central Washington State, in an area of rich volcanic soil. Yakima is centrally located 145 miles southeast of Seattle, Washington; 201 miles southwest of Spokane, Washington; and 185 miles northeast of Portland, Oregon. The city is at an elevation of 1,068 feet above sea level, and occupies an area of 24.23 square miles. It is the county seat of Yakima County.
Yakima County is the second-largest county in Washington State at 4,296 square miles, or approximately 2.75 million acres. The county has a latitude of 46° 34’ north, and a longitude of 120° 32’ west. Three entities own over 1.7 million of the total acres of Yakima County. The Yakama Nation owns 1,074,174 acres; the U.S. Forest Service, 503,726 acres; and a U.S. military reservation, 165,787 acres. Population, 2005 Yakima County ranks seventh in population in Washington State. | Yakima County | 229,300 | | City of Yakima | 81,470 | | Unincorporated | 87,070 |
 Climate
The Yakima valley’s climate is mild and dry, having the characteristics of both maritime and continental climates modified by the Cascade and Rocky Mountains. The summers are dry and hot, and winters are cool with light snowfall. The maritime influence is strongest in the winter when the prevailing westerlies are stronger and steadier. The modifying influence of the Pacific Ocean is less evident in summer. Summer afternoons are hot, but due to the dry air, there is a rapid fall in temperature after sunset. This results in pleasantly cool evenings with minimums in the 50s (degrees F). The valley lies within the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains, so the total amount of precipitation is relatively small. The months of November, December and January each receive about one inch of precipitation, for nearly half the annual total. Late June, July and August are very dry with only half an inch total for the period. A July or August with no measurable rainfall is not uncommon. Snowfall is light with an annual total of 20 to 25 inches. The most snowfall in a 24-hour period was 18.9 inches, the maximum snow depth recorded was 27 inches, both records occurring in November 1996. Yakima County’s average rainfall per year is 7.98 inches. | | Coolest | Warmest | Average | | | Temperature | Temperature | Rainfall | | | (degrees F) | (degrees F) | (inches) | | January | 19 | 36 | 1.44 | | February | 26 | 46 | 0.74 | | March | 29 | 54 | 0.65 | | April | 34 | 63 | 0.50 | | May | 42 | 72 | 0.48 | | June | 49 | 79 | 0.60 | | July | 53 | 87 | 0.14 | | August | 51 | 85 | 0.36 | | September | 44 | 77 | 0.33 | | October | 35 | 64 | 0.47 | | November | 28 | 48 | 0.97 | | December | 23 | 39 | 1.30 |
Historic Timeline | 1805 – | Lewis and Clark expedition | | 1847 – | Catholic mission established in the Ahtanum area | | 1850 – | Permanent parties of settlers begin arriving | | 1856 – | Army garrisons established at Fort Simcoe | | 1865 – | Military units arrive to quell Indian hostilities | | 1865 – | Yakima County officially established | | 1870 – | Census reports 432 pioneers in Yakima County | | 1880 – | Nearly 3,000 people reported in Yakima County | | 1884 – | Northern Pacific extends iron horse service to the valley | | 1886 – | North Yakima incorporated and named the county seat | | 1889 – | Water mains, fire plugs and hydrants installed to sell water to residents; Sunset Telephone Company begins operating | | 1890 – | Electricity turned on | | 1891– | Electric light and water works companies consolidated | | 1900 – | Nearly 15,000 residents reported in the area | | 1907 – | Organization started for first street car; Depression era begins | | 1908 – | Street car system reorganized under the Yakima Valley
Transportation Company | | 1910 – | The properties of Yakima Water, Light & Power are sold | | 1913 – | Water and power systems are segregated | | 1918 – | The prefix “north” is dropped from the city’s name | | 1994 – | Yakima is named an All America City. | | Today – | Yakima is ranked 25th most livable city in the United States! |
Housing Monthly Rental Rates | | House | Duplex | Apartment | | Studio | | | $325 | | One bedroom | $396 | $360 | $440 | | Two bedrooms | $401 | $527 | $519 | | Three bedrooms | $862 | $734 | $625 |
Source: Average costs are based on information available for the City of Yakima, data gathered
from Home Source, (509) 452-2720 Single-Family Home Market | | Listings | Average Price | | 2 bedrooms | 200 | $102,304 | | 3 bedrooms | 444 | $68,370 | | 4 bedrooms | 176 | $217,921 | | All homes on market | 898 | $168,178 |
Sales Price Listings
Less than $50,000............................................................................. 13
$50,000 – $74,999............................................................................ 74
$75,000 – $99,999............................................................................ 88
$100,000 – $149,999...................................................................... 158
$150,000 – $199,999...................................................................... 158 Building Permits, 2004 | | Permits Issued | Value of Permits | | City of Yakima | 1,124 | $54,379,605 | | Yakima County | 1,286 | $95,637,883 |
Media Newspapers | | Published | Circulation | | Yakima Herald Republic | daily | 41,726 | | Yakima Business Journal | monthly | 8,000 | | Valley Press | weekly | 20,000 | | Central WA Senior Times | monthly | 13,000 | | Chamber Update | monthly | 1,400 | | (Chamber members only) | | | | Penny Press | weekly | 19,000 | | Yakima Valley-Business Time | bi-monthly | 7,000 | | Thrifty Nickel | weekly | 24,000 | | Viva! | weekly | 10,000 |
 Radio Stations
Approximately 21 radio stations broadcast in the Yakima County area in a wide range of formats including religious, country, news/talk, and rock and roll. Television Stations The Yakima area hosts approximately nine local television stations with national affiliations, one cable company, one wireless company, and a variety of satellite services. Churches There are over 250 churches in Yakima County. The variety includes divisions of Christianity, Catholicism and non-denominational practices. Yakima County also has Jewish and Buddhist temples. A Giving Community The United Way of Yakima County raises support for 63 programs at 43 human service agencies and community funds. In 2002 donations totalled $2,075,000; in 2003, $2,060,000.
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