Information on Yakima

An area of rich volcanic soil, Yakima, seat of Yakima County, is located in the south central part of Washington state. It is 145 miles south of Seattle, 204 miles southwest of Spokane, and 185 miles northeast of Portland, OR. The city proper of Yakima is 16.83 square miles and has a population base of 65,500 people, (1999 census). The population swells to 118,987 with the inclusion of the surrounding urban area. In the valley, the agricultural industry provides employment for a large number of migrant workers during the growing season, adding to the cultural diversity of the area. Yakima county ranks seventh in population in Washington state, and encompasses 4,296 square miles.

Yakima area hospitals and health care providers have a reputation as a "mecca for regional first-rate medical facilities and services." This service attracts patients from Central and Southeastern Washington, and Northeastern Oregon. The two major hospitals jointly have a family residency program to aid in recruiting more doctors to the Central Washington area as much of the Yakima Valley remains a designated medically under-served area.

Geography and Climate:
The climate of Yakima Valley is mild and dry, having the characteristics of both maritime and continental climates modified by the Cascade and Rocky Mountains. Summers are dry and hot, while winters are cool with light snowfall. Summer afternoons are hot, but due to the dry air, there is a rapid drop in temperature after sunset. This results in pleasantly cool evenings with lows in the 50s.

Yakima Valley lies within the rain shadow of the Cascades, so the total amount of precipitation is relatively small. A July or August with no measurable rainfall is not uncommon. Snowfall is light with an annual total of 20-25 inches. On average, the last day for freezing is May 13th, and the first is October 1st. The days are sunny 85% of the time in the summer, and winter days have sunshine 32% of the time. There is an average of 290 days of sunshine each year, with a normal total of 7.98 inches of precipitation.

Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce

City of Yakima