Yakima is a city in central Washington and the county seat of Yakima County, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 71,845 and a metropolitan of 229,094. Yakima is situated in the Yakima Valley, which is noted for being one of the best apple-producing areas in the world, as well as a prime location for the production of hops. The name originates from the Yakama Native American tribe. The Yakama Indian Reservation is located to the south and southeast of the city of Yakima.
Yakima is located at 46°35'48" North, 120°31'47" West (46.596728° N 120.529657° W).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 53.4 km2 (20.6 mi2). 52.1 km2 (20.1 mi2) of it is land and 1.2 km2 (0.5 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 2.33% water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 71,845 people, 26,498 households, and 16,826 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,378.0/km2 (3,569.9/mi2). There are 28,643 housing units at an average density of 549.4/km2 (1,423.2/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 68.77% White, 1.99% African American, 2.00% Native American, 1.20% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 21.97% from other races, and 3.92% from two or more races. 33.70% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 26,498 households out of which 34.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.2% are married couples living together, 14.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% are non-families. 30.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.63 and the average family size is 3.29.
In the city the population is spread out with 29.4% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 31 years. For every 100 females there are 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $29,475, and the median income for a family is $34,798. Males have a median income of $29,647 versus $23,629 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,920. 22.4% of the population and 17.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 32.3% of those under the age of 18 and 12.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Yakima's growth in the 20th century was fueled primarily by agriculture. The Yakima Valley produces many fruit crops, including apples, peaches, pears, cherries and melons. Many vegetables are also produced, including peppers, corn and beans. Many of the city's residents have come to the Valley out of economic necessity and to participate in the picking, processing, marketing and support services for the agricultural economy. While jobs in agriculture have decreased, the population growth has continued, increasing unemployment, crime, and poverty. Social services have not kept pace with demand, forcing down quality of life for the city's poorest residents. While city officials have attempted to lure new businesses to Yakima, they have largely failed to do so.
The abandonment by retailers and other businesses of Yakima's downtown core is symbolic of the city's overall economic downturn. In the last five years, three major department stores and an entire shopping mall have closed for business. While several theories to "revitalize" the city's downtown have been put forth by civic leaders, none has proven effective. The retail core of the city has now shifted to the city of Union Gap, where a renovated shopping mall and other new retail businesses are flourishing.
A bright spot in the economy of the Yakima Valley is the burgeoning wine industry, due in part to the Yakima Valley soil, which is very similar to the soil conditions of French wineries. Over forty wineries dot the Yakima Valley, covering more than 11,000 acres (45 km2). Yakima is home to several wine-related events each year which draw wine enthusiasts from all over the Pacific Northwest and the world.
The Japanese Army conducts training annually in Yakima. Japanese soldiers train in Yakima because it allows for large-scale live fire maneuvers not available in Japan.
The Yakama people were the first inhabitants of the Yakima Valley. In 1805 the Lewis and Clark Expedition came to the valley and discovered abundant wildlife and rich soil, prompting the settlement of homesteaders. A Catholic Mission was established in Ahtanum, southeast of present-day Yakima, in 1847. The arrival of settlers and their conflicts with the natives resulted in the Yakama Indian War of 1855. The U.S. Army established Fort Simcoe in 1886 near present-day Toppenish as a response to the uprising. The Yakamas were defeated and forced onto the Yakama Indian Reservation.
Yakima County was created in 1865. When bypassed by the Northern Pacific Railroad in December 1884 over 100 buildings were moved with rollers and horse teams to the nearby site of the depot. The new city was dubbed North Yakima and was officially incorporated and named the county seat on January 27, 1886. The name was changed to Yakima in 1918. Union Gap, Washington was the new name given to the original site of Yakima.
Source:
YakimaWashington.com
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