Union Gap is a city in Yakima County, Washington, United States. The population was 6,568 at the 2020 census. Union Gap has become the retail hub for the entire Yakima Valley as a result of Valley Mall and other thriving businesses being located here. Part of the city is within the Yakama Nation.
Name
The town is named for a water gap formed by the Yakima River between the Rattlesnake Hills and Ahtanum Ridge. The gap is traversed by U.S. Route 97, Interstate 82, and Thorp Road, and the BNSF Railway.
History
The city of Union Gap was originally named Yakima City and was officially incorporated on November 23, 1883. 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. It was reported that business never ceased, including the bank and the courthouse, during the 4 mile move to the railroad. The new city was dubbed North Yakima. In 1918, North Yakima was renamed to simply Yakima, and the original town to the south was named Union Gap to avoid confusion between the two towns.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, is land and is water.