The seat of its namesake county in the heart of its namesake valley, agriculture is at the center of life in Yakima, with produce stands, farm-to-table restaurants and local breweries scattered all over town. The surrounding areas are packed with rolling fields, colorful orchards and various wineries. “Since it’s an agriculture-based community, you can watch all the agriculture move through each season,” says Leah Holbrook, a Yakima resident and managing broker with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Central Washington. “There’s always a beautiful bounty in the summer and autumn.” Major exports include apples, hops and wine. Though Yakima began as a farming hub, the population has grown thanks to low housing prices and cost of living, attracting remote workers from larger cities like Seattle. Once here, locals spend time fishing and swimming on the Yakima River or exploring the walkable historic downtown district.
The rural city of Yakima is surrounded by fertile farmlands in the heart of the Yakima Valley.
Agriculture is at the center of life in Yakima.
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Historic district on 16th Avenue
Yakima’s historic district is just west of downtown, centered on 16th Avenue and home to early 20th-century Craftsman homes. The rest of town is mainly occupied by ranch-style and new traditional homes from the mid- to late-20th century. Homes on the town's east side, towards the Washington Park neighborhood, tend to be on the lower end of the price range. Housing inventory is growing, with 21st-century suburban developments on the town’s west end, including neighborhoods like West Valley. High-density condo and townhouse complexes are concentrated in the northwest corner. and manufactured home communities are around the outskirts. Homes in Yakima sell for a median price of $360,000, lower than the national median of about $406,000 and the statewide median of about $626,000.
Yakima’s median home price of $360,000 is lower than both state and national medians.
Yakima's homes are stunning and very affordable in todays market.
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Swimming and fishing in the Yakima River
The Yakima and Naches Rivers provide many access points for fishing and swimming. Rimrock Lake is also open for fishing year-round, making it a major gathering place in the summer. Mountain biking is popular, and Cowiche Canyon is home to over 30 miles of mountain biking trails. Franklin Park is one of several public green spaces scattered around Yakima, home to well-used pickleball courts and playgrounds. The Franklin Park Summer Sunset Concert Series occurs every Friday in July and August. Upscale ski resorts like Suncadia are within 70 miles, making for a popular winter day trip.
Rimrock Lake offer ample opportunities for swimming and fishing.
Cowiche Canyon is one of many places to mountain bike or take your pet for a walk.
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Walkable downtown with farm-to-table restaurants
Yakima’s Historic downtown district is the center of the local dining scene, characterized by farm-to-table ingredients and locally brewed beer. Wide, walkable sidewalks lead to eateries, cafes, hotels and breweries. Crafted is one of the most well-known local restaurants, opened in 2017 by James Beard-nominated chef Dan Koommoo and his wife Mollie. Farm stands can be found throughout the city, selling local produce, and the Yakima Farmers Market operates downtown every Sunday from May through October. The historic Capitol Theatre stages live performances, including musicals, concerts and ballets. The Yakima Valley Museum tells the history of the city, as well as local indigenous tribes. Outside the city, a wide array of acclaimed wineries serves as one of the main draws for visitors. Many annual events celebrate Yakima’s Agricultural specialties, including the Spring Barrel Tasting wine event in April and the Fresh Hop Ale Festival in October.
Residents can catch live performances at the historic Capitol Theatre.
Downtown Yakima has a plethora of of boutiques and great eateries.
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Getting around on Interstate 82
Interstate 82 is the main thoroughfare of the city, connecting with I-90 to the north for a 144-mile trip to Seattle, the nearest major city. Yakima Transit has nine bus routes, and though train tracks run through the town for industrial purposes, no passenger routes stop here. In mid-2024, the Federal Railroad Administration proposed passenger rail routes that would stop in Yakima and other rural Washington towns, though there haven’t been any updates since then. The Yakima Air Terminal-McAllister Field is the only airport used for industrial operations and small commercial flights to Seattle. The MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital is the only major hospital in the area, with 238 beds.
Yakima is a great bus system to help residents get around.
The Yakima Air Terminal-McAllister Field is the only airport used for industrial operations and small commercial flights to Seattle.
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Athletics and free school lunches at Yakima School District
Yakima School District earns a C-plus from Niche, serving over 15,000 students across 29 schools. The district is known for its extracurriculars and athletic programs, producing notable alumni Cooper Kupp, current NFL wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams and 2022 Super Bowl MVP. The district participates in the Community Eligibility Provision under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program, which means all students are eligible for free breakfast and lunch regardless of household income. Yakima Valley Community College offers over 55 associate degrees and five bachelor's of applied science degrees. The nearby Pacific Northwest University-Health Sciences contributes to the area’s growing medical industry.
Crime rates, according to the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs
Violent crime rates in Yakima are significantly higher than state and national crime rates, while property crime rates fall below state figures but above national rates. Property crime has been falling recently, with robbery dropping about 45% from 2022 to 2023, according to the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, and overall reported crime dropped 17%.
Less rain than coastal cities and risk of floods and wildfires
Yakima experiences four seasons with less rain than in coastal cities like Seattle. “In the summer, it can get over a hundred degrees for a brief time and in the winter, it goes below freezing,” Holbrook says. “But year-round, it’s basically 300 days of sunshine, even in the winter.” There is risk of flooding along the Yakima and Naches Rivers, with the last major flood in 1996. Several creeks run through the city's south edge, contributing to moderate flood risk in that area as well. The city has just under 22 miles of levees designed to prevent flooding. Homeowners within Special Hazard Flood Zones, as designated by FEMA, are required to purchase flood insurance, though it’s also recommended for residents outside of flood zones.
Wildfires are also a risk in the Yakima area, especially around the community's edges. The City of Yakima Fire Department serves the community in cases of emergency, and locals can sign up for emergency notifications through the city’s website. The Yakima Valley Fire Adapted Communities Coalition provides training to help prevent wildfires.
Written By
Andi Sink
Photography Contributed By
Perry Cucinotta
Video By
Jacob McAllister
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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On average, homes in Yakima, WA sell after 40 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Yakima, WA over the last 12 months is $370,990, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Jonathan EhlersBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Central Washington Real Estate
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