Yakima County, Washington

Mountain Goats near the glaciers of Goat Rocks Wilderness

• Mount Adams, 12,281 feet (3,743 m)
• Gilbert Peak, 8,184 feet (2,494 m)
• Mount Aix, 7,766 feet (2,367 m)
• Tieton Peak, 7,768 feet (2,368 m)
• Cascade Mountains
• Rattlesnake Hills
• Horse Heaven Hills

• Yakima River
• Columbia River
• Naches River
• Tieton River
• Bumping River
• American River

• Interstate 82
• U.S. Route 12
• U.S. Route 97

• Pierce County - northwest
• Lewis County - west
• Skamania County - southwest
• Kittitas County - north
• Klickitat County - south
• Grant County - northeast
• Benton County - east

As of the census of 2010, there were 243,231 people, 80,592 households, and 58,790 families living in the county.[13] The population density was 56.6 people per square mile (21.9 people/km²). There were 85,474 housing units at an average density of 19.9 units per square mile (7.7 units/km²).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 63.7% White, 4.3% American Indian, 1.1% Asian, 1.0% Black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 26.1% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 45.0% of the population.[13] In terms of ethnicity, 15.8% reported German, 8.0% English, 7.3% Irish, and 3.6% American ancestry.[15]

Of the 80,592 households, 42.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 27.1% were non-families, and 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.46. The median age was 32.2 years.[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $42,877 and the median income for a family was $48,004. Males had a median income of $37,029 versus $29,824 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,325. About 16.8% of families and 21.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.9% of those under age 18 and 11.9% of those age 65 or over.[16]

As of the census of 2000, there were 222,581 people, 73,993 households, and 54,606 families living in the county. The population density was 52 people per square mile (20 people/km²). There were 79,174 housing units at an average density of 18 units per square mile (6.9 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 65.60% White, 0.97% Black or African American, 4.48% Native American, 0.95% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 24.43% from other races, and 3.48% from two or more races. 35.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 13.2% were of German, 6.4% United States or American, 5.9% English and 5.4% Irish ancestry.

There were 73,993 households, out of which 39.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.2% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96 and the average family size was 3.44.

In the county, 31.8% of the population was under the age of 18, 9.8% was from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.1 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,828, and the median income for a family was $39,746. Males had a median income of $31,620 versus $24,541 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,606. About 14.8% of families and 19.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.2% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.

Washington ranks second in the United States in the production of wine, behind only California.[18] The Yakima Valley AVA was established in 1983 in the state's oldest agricultural region. It is Washington's third largest officially designated American Viticultural Area (AVA), and is responsible for more than 40% of the state's wine production.

Located within the larger Columbia Valley AVA, the Yakima Valley AVA is sub-divided into the three smaller wine regions, each with distinctive growing conditions. They are Red Mountain AVA, Snipes Mountain AVA, and Rattlesnake Hills AVA.[19] Of the viticultural region's 665,000 acres (269,000 ha), nearly 11,120 acres (4,500 ha) were planted in 2008.[18]

Common agricultural pests here include the Green Peach Aphid (Myzus persicae), the Spotted Cutworm (Xestia c-nigrum), and the Beet Leafhopper (Circulifer tenellus) in potato.[20]