Yakima Real Estate Agents, Yakima Homes for Sale, Yakima Condos, King County, Washington, WA

Yakima Real Estate Overview

Yakima is a city in central Washington and the county seat of Yakima County. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 71,845. 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.

History

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. North Yakima was officially incorporated and named the county seat on January 27, 1886. The name was changed to Yakima in 1918.

The Yakima Region

Cities surrounding Yakima include Selah, White Swan, Moxee City, Cowiche, Wiley City, Ahtanum, Wapato and Toppenish. Two unincorporated areas, West Valley and Terrace Heights, are sometimes unofficially considered part of Yakima and rely on many city services, despite not having yet been officially annexed. The population of the Yakima metropolitan area according to the Census Bureau 2004 estimate is 229,094.

Bodies of Water

The primary irrigation source for the Yakima Valley, The Yakima River runs through Yakima from its source at Lake Keechelus in the Cascade Range to the Columbia River at Richland. In Yakima, the river is used for both fishing and recreation. A 10-mile walking and cycling trail, a park, and a wildlife sanctuary are all found at the river's edge.

The Naches River forms the northern border of the city. Several small lakes flank the northern edge of the city, including Myron Lake and Lake Aspen. These lakes are popular with swimmers during Yakima's hot summers.

Sports

Yakima is home to the Yakima Bears baseball team of the short season class A Northwest League, and the Yakima Sun Kings of the Continental Basketball Association.

Transportation

Roads and Highways

Interstate 82 is the primary way of reaching Yakima, but U.S. Highway 12 uses the city as a terminus. U.S. Highway 97 joins I-82 at Yakima for approximately 40 miles. Washington State Route 24 terminates at Yakima and is the primary means of reaching Moxee City and many of the area's agricultural areas. Washington State Route 821 terminates at Yakima and is also called Canyon Road because it passes through the Yakima River canyon. It is an alternate route to Ellensburg which bypasses the I-82 summit at Manastash Ridge.

Airport

Yakima's airport, McAllister Field, operates commercial air flights via Horizon Airlines to Seattle. Numerous private aircraft call the Yakima Airport home and several freight companies operate out of the airport.

Interesting Facts

Approaching the city from the west on Interstate 82, there is a sign that reads "Welcome to Yakima: The Palm Springs of Washington". While this is not an official city slogan and the sign is privately-owned, the sign has been known to cause both laughter and embarrassment among area residents.

Common Yakima Nicknames

Yakicrack 
Yakivegas 
Crackima 
Yaktown 
Palm Springs of Washington 
Yakeema (most common mispronunciation

Yakima Neighborhoods

Ahtanum, Brace, Brownstown, Buena, Chinook Pass, Cowiche, Fruitvale, Gleed, Grandview, Granger, Harrah, Kittetas, Mabton, Miller Park, Moxee, Naches, Northeast Yakima, Outlook, Parker, Prosser, Selah, Sunnyside, Suntides, Terrace Heights, Tieton, Toppenish, Union Gap, Wapato, West Valley, White Pass, White Swan, Wiley, Zillah.

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Also: Yakima, Washington Official Website