West Pasco is a census-designated place (CDP) in Franklin County, Washington, United States. The population was 1,747 at the 2020 census, a significant decrease from 3,739 at the 2010 census.
Based on per capita income, one of the more reliable measures of affluence, West Pasco ranks 47th of 522 areas in the state of Washington to be ranked. It is also the highest rank achieved in Franklin County. The city of Pasco, Washington, as of 2012, was attempting to annex all of West Pasco, although there was some resistance.
Geography
West Pasco is located in southern Franklin County at (46.252607, -119.182730). It is entirely surrounded by the city of Pasco.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP in 2010 had a total area of , all of it land,
100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 552 households in West Pasco, of which 41.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 70.8% were married-couple households, 12.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 11.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 10.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
The modern development of West Pasco accelerated during the mid-20th century, primarily due to the establishment of the Hanford Site as part of the Manhattan Project during World War II. The Hanford Site's role in producing plutonium for nuclear weapons brought a substantial population increase to the Tri-Cities area, including Pasco. To accommodate the growing workforce, residential subdivisions were constructed, and West Pasco began to expand significantly.
In the post-war era, infrastructure development such as roads, schools, and public facilities supported the expanding population. The region's agricultural roots remained strong, with local farms producing a variety of crops, including wheat, potatoes, and later, wine grapes. The Columbia Basin's favorable climate and fertile soil proved ideal for viticulture, and the area has since become one of the premier wine-producing regions in the United States.