Coordinates: 46°22′N 119°16′W / 46.367°N 119.267°W / 46.367; -119.267Country United StatesState WashingtonLargest cityKennewick (83,921)Other cities - Pasco (77,108)
 - Richland (60,560)
 - West Richland (16,295)
 - Prosser (6,062)
 - Connell (5,450)
 - Benton City (3,360)
 - Mesa (488)
 - Kahlotus (190)Area • Total2,942.5 sq mi (7,621 km)Highest elevation3,527 ft (1,075 m)Lowest elevation265 ft (81 m)Population • Total311,469 • Rank165th in the U.S. • Density95/sq mi (37/km)Time zoneUTC-8 (PST) • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)

The Kennewick–Pasco–Richland metropolitan area—colloquially referred to as the Tri-Cities metropolitan area, and officially known as the Kennewick–Richland, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area—is a metropolitan area consisting of Benton and Franklin counties in Washington state, anchored by the cities of Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland (the Tri-Cities). As of July 1, 2022, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates the population of the metropolitan area to be 311,469, making it the third-largest metropolitan area located entirely in Washington, after the Seattle metropolitan area and the Spokane metropolitan area. Although it is located outside of the metropolitan area, the CDP of Burbank (located in Walla Walla County) is part of the Tri-Cities urban area.

The Tri-Cities metro area is a constituent piece of the Kennewick-Richland-Walla Walla combined statistical area, which consists of the Tri-Cities (Benton and Franklin Counties) along with the Walla Walla metropolitan area (Walla Walla County).

Counties

• Benton
• Franklin

Communities

Over 50,000 inhabitants

• Kennewick (principal city)
• Pasco
• Richland (principal city)

10,001 to 50,000 inhabitants

• West Richland

5,001 to 10,000 inhabitants

• Prosser
• Connell

5,000 inhabitants or fewer

• Benton City
• Mesa
• Kahlotus

Unincorporated places

Ghost towns

• Ainsworth
• Berrian
• Cactus
• East White Bluffs
• Gibbon
• Hanford (depopulated in March 1943)
• Horse Heaven
• Hover
• Wahluke
• White Bluffs (depopulated in March 1943)
• Yellepit

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1910	13,090		—
1920	16,780		28.2%
1930	17,089		1.8%
1940	18,360		7.4%
1950	64,933		253.7%
1960	85,412		31.5%
1970	93,406		9.4%
1980	144,469		54.7%
1990	150,033		3.9%
2000	191,822		27.9%
2010	253,340		32.1%
2020	303,622		19.8%
2022 (est.)	311,469		2.6%

As of 2020, there were 303,622 people and 100,336 households residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 60% White, 32% Hispanic, 3% Asian, 2% Black, 0% Native, and 0% Islander.

The median income for a household in the MSA was $70,545. The per capita income for the MSA was $31,610.