Tri-Cities Economy Overview

The Tri-Cities economy continues to out-perform its neighbors and is a bright spot in our state and across the nation.  Our local economy added 3,400 new jobs during 2009 while the state lost jobs.  The Tri-Cities is one of only three metropolitan areas in the country to be recognized for positive job growth in each month of 2009 and 2010 according to Garner Economics and U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics Reports. 

Labor Force/Employment

The Tri-Cities is second in the nation for over-the-year nonfarm employment increases.  In October of 2009, Manpower Inc. called the Tri-Cities the second best city for employment in the United States. 

The Tri-Cities has a highly educated workforce - 82.3% of the population has a high school, college or graduate education and there are more scientists and engineers per capita residing here than anywhere else in the nation.

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Major Industry Employers

The region's economy is anchored in agriculture, bio and high technology, manufacturing, service industry and government. 

Major employers include Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Lockheed Martin, Bechtel National, CH2M Hill, ConAgra Foods Lab Weston, Amazon.com, Tyson Fresh Meats, URS Corporation, and Ferguson Enterprises.

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Housing

The Tri-Cities experienced a 6.7 percent overall increase in housing starts for 2009.  Also, in 2009, Pinkmagazine.com reported that the Tri-Cities had the fastest rising residential market in the nation - up 4.5%.

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Income

The average household income for the Tri-Cities region has increased 21.5% since 2000.  Currently, the average household income is $67,635.

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Cost of Living

The Tri-Cities offers an annual cost savings of 20-24% over national average costs.  For the past two years, the Tri-Cities has the lowest Cost of Living in Washington state.

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