Connell () is a city in Franklin County, Washington, United States. The population was 5,441 at the 2020 census, and was estimated at 5,071 in 2024.
thumb|left|Ash deposits in Connell from the [[1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens]]
The Northern Pacific Railroad ceased service to the station in 1890, but the Union Pacific Railroad took over the station in 1901, and the town began to grow again. A school district was formed sometime between 1900 and 1904. In 1902 the Franklin County Bank was Incorporated in Connell, and the Connell Land and Improvement Company was established. Also in that year, the county allowed a franchisee to begin piping in water for the town. The attempts to bring water into the town were found lacking and the following year a well was dug that hit water at . In 1903, lots on the west side of the tracks were sold, and a new commercial district began to grow; a number of existing buildings were moved to the new lots.
By this time, the town rivaled Pasco in importance in Franklin County. Unfortunately, much of the business district was destroyed by fire in July 1905. The destroyed sections were quickly rebuilt using brick. Connell was officially incorporated on November 28, 1910. Dryland wheat farming was the lifeblood of Connell through most of the twentieth century.
Present day
The primary industrial base is agricultural chemicals and the Coyote Ridge Corrections Center, a minimum and medium-security correctional facility that is capable of holding 2600 offenders. The community is also home to the North Franklin School District where there is a high school, junior high, grade school and administration offices.
In 1998 the city approved a "water system plan" that would include the purchase of additional water rights to secure water for future growth in residential, commercial and industrial activities. By 2007, the water system plan was completed. New waterlines had been installed to replace aging pipes, reservoirs were upgraded and additional wells were brought into the system.
Continuing the community's infrastructure overhaul, the city also rebuilt Columbia Avenue, the main thoroughfare, and reconstructed its industrial streets, and received a grant award to reconstruct a portion of Clark Street. This roadway connects the downtown to Highway 260 on the west side of town, and serves the junior and senior high schools and administration buildings for the school district. As of January 2022, the mayor was Lee Barrow, and the city administrator was Cathleen Koch.
Geography
thumb|214x214px|CRCC Visitor Entry
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.
The site of the town is located in a depression formed by the convergence of Providence Coulee, coming from the north, Washtucna Coulee from the east, and Esquatzel Coulee to the southeast. Terrain rises a few hundred feet from the floor of the coulees to the higher land surrounding Connell. Ephemeral streams flow through these coulees. U.S. Route 395 passes through Connell, connecting the town with Interstate 90 at Ritzville to the northeast and Interstate 82 at the Tri-Cities to the southwest. State Route 260 begins a few miles west of Connell and passes through the town as it heads east along Washtucna Coulee to Washtucna.
Climate
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Connell has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.
It is the least snowy city in Eastern Washington, on average.