One of the Tri-Cities along with Richland and Kennewick, Pasco is a big city that feels more like a small town. “If I had one word to describe this place, it would be 'diverse.' You have all kinds of different people here,” says Arielle Hays, Realtor and Owner of ERA Skyview Realty. Her team brokers about 50 deals in the Tri-Cities annually. “You have West Pasco people that work at the Hanford Cleanup Project; you have North Pasco people in our agricultural community; you have everything in between. Everyone’s so nice and friendly either way. People smile when they see you on the street, and they make eye contact.” These aspects have drawn many new residents to Pasco in the 21st century, and it’s among the fastest-growing cities in America. In 2000, the city’s population was around 32,000. In 2024, it’s estimated to be 82,000. This increase — over 150% — has resulted in hundreds of new homes being built. “People overlooked Pasco for a long time,” Hays says. “Then we saw a lot of newcomers. As prices rose in Richland and Kennewick, people started to realize that you can buy new property here, and it was cheaper.” Many new industries have followed. An Amazon Fulfillment Center opened in 2024, and a Darigold milk processing facility will open in 2025.
The Columbia River provides lots of outdoor recreational activities to the locals of Pasco.
Downtown Pasco offers lots of walkable streets with lots of shopping.
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Historic properties in Old Pasco, new builds in the west
U.S. Route 395 bisects the eastern and western parts of the city. East Pasco, nearest downtown or “Old Pasco,” has traditional homes that can date back to the 1930s and ‘40s. They’re on the lower end of the market since they often need renovations. West Pasco mostly has homes from the 2000s, ‘10s and ‘20s, as this area has been the main focus for residential developers. Neighborhoods on the northern end, such as Broadmoor Estates, are closer to farmland and typically have more acreage than those in southernmost Riverview. Properties nearest the river sell for more, as some lots can have waterside views. The city’s median sale price is $430,000, aligned with neighboring Kennewick but roughly $20,000 cheaper than Richland.
Older Bungalows are a common type of house found in Pasco.
New construction homes are popular in the city of Pasco.
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Richland via Interstate 182, Kennewick via U.S. Route 395
Pasco covers about 35 square miles, and most people drive around the Tri-Cities overall. Commuters to Richland use Interstate 182 West for roughly 10 miles; those heading to Kennewick take either the Cable Bridge or the Pioneer Memorial Bridge south to cross the Columbia River. The Pioneer Memorial Bridge, on U.S. Route 395, is the most popular route and clogs with traffic during rush hour. Tri-Cities Airport is on Pasco’s north side and has nonstops to Los Angeles, Phoenix, Seattle and other metros.
Locals have quick access to air travel via the Tri-Cities Airport.
The Columbia river attracts lots of people to the city of Pasco.
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Downtown Pasco and Court Street
Downtown Pasco employs about 8,000 people through the Pasco School District, Franklin County Courthouse, Pasco City Hall and Lourdes Hospital. Built around Lewis Street, it’s also one of the city’s major shopping and dining hubs. Mexican restaurants and grocers are the most common, but department stores are scattered throughout. Court Street is another commercial corridor to the north, and it hosts fast-food places and local businesses. Both of these commercial areas are on the east side of town, so West Pasco residents might drive to Downtown Richland instead.
Pasco features a public library that offers lots of local resources.
Pasco City hall is located near the heart of downtown Pasco.
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Events in Downtown Pasco
The Tri-Cities have many signature events throughout the year, but Downtown Pasco has several of its own in Peanuts Park. The Cinco de Mayo Celebration has traditional Mexican music and cuisine; the Grand Old 4th of July has a breakfast, parade and fireworks; the Fiery Foods Festival has spicy food and cooking demonstrations in September. From May through October, the Pasco Farmers Market has fresh produce and homemade goods on Saturday mornings.
The Mercando market hosts the local famers market during the summer months.
Pasco features several public parks with lots of local amenities.
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Columbia River parks and activities, Eastern Washington aridity
Connected to the Snake and Yakima rivers nearby, the Columbia River flows on Pasco’s south side and has the city’s most popular green spaces. Wade and Chiawana parks have a combined 150 acres of riverfront views, and public launches cater to boaters, kayakers and paddleboarders. These parks also follow the Sacajawea Heritage Trail, a nearly 25-mile loop around the Tri-Cities that ends at Sacajawea State Park. This park, at the confluence of the Columbia and Yakima rivers, has additional boat launches, and its exhibits highlight Lewis and Clark’s expedition and the Columbia Plateau People.
Pasco and the rest of the Tri-Cities lie in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains, so the area usually receives less than 10 inches of rain. That also causes a desert climate — over 300 sunny days and little humidity. Summers are dry in the 80s and 90s, while winters are bitter in the 30s and 40s. The Chinook Winds, a local weather phenomenon, can increase winter temperatures but can also create gusts of 30 miles per hour.
Locals enjoy walking the trail with views over the Columbia river.
The Sacajawea trail is an iconic walking trail in the city of Pasco.
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Crime levels in Pasco, Washington
In 2023, Pasco had violent crime rates in line with the state average and lower than the national average. Property crime rates were much lower than the state average but were slightly higher than the national average. Rates trend differently from month to month, but violent rates decreased overall from January 2018 to December 2023. Property rates increased in the same time period.
STEM focus in Pasco School District
Pasco School District gets a B-minus from Niche, serving 18,500 students across nearly 30 schools. Many of these are designated STEM schools and give students experience in fields such as cybersecurity, programming and healthcare. All district elementary schools have dual language courses, a new development for the 2024-2025 school year.
Lots of Pasco's students feed in the Columbia Basin College.
The Pasco School District building is a short drive from downtown Pasco.
**Jennifer Craig** *Experienced Realtor | Dedicated to Helping You Achieve Your Real Estate Goals*
Born and raised in the Tri-Cities, WA, I have a deep connection to this vibrant community and a thorough understanding of the local real estate market. With over 11 years of experience as a Realtor, I have helped more than 525 individuals and families build, buy, or sell their homes and land.
My goal is to provide exceptional service and personalized guidance throughout every step of the real estate process, ensuring that each client feels informed and confident in their decisions. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned seller, or looking for investment opportunities, I'm here to help make your real estate journey as smooth and successful as possible.
I would love the opportunity to assist you in navigating the home buying or selling process. Let's work together to make your real estate dreams a reality!
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
