Othello, WA Properties | Real Property Associates, Inc.

Back

Othello is a city in Adams County, Washington, located in the heart of the Columbia Basin Project roughly 100 miles southwest of Spokane. The community was incorporated on May 23, 1910, but its modern identity was shaped by the arrival of Columbia Basin irrigation water in the mid-twentieth century, which converted the surrounding sagebrush desert into some of the most productive irrigated farmland in the Pacific Northwest. The 2020 census counted 8,549 residents, a substantial increase over the prior decade. Othello is best known as a powerhouse of potato processing: potato plants established on the edge of town in the 1960s turned the city into one of the nation's leading producers of frozen potato products, with roughly fifteen percent of American frozen french fries processed locally and about 1.5 billion pounds of potatoes handled annually. The processing industry, together with the surrounding farms, anchors the local economy and draws a diverse agricultural workforce, giving Othello a notably youthful and dynamic demographic profile. The city's location near the Potholes Reservoir, formed by O'Sullivan Dam as part of the Columbia Basin Project, provides abundant outdoor recreation, and the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge lies just to the north. The city's growth reflects steady demand for agricultural labor and an expanding food-processing sector. As the largest city in Adams County, Othello anchors a network of smaller farm communities, with schools, medical facilities, and retail drawing residents from across the surrounding countryside. Its position on the state's east side places it within reach of Moses Lake, the Tri-Cities, and the agricultural heart of central Washington.

Population 8,549

County Adams County

Active Listings 77

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Othello, Washington in?

Othello is in Adams County, Washington, in the heart of the Columbia Basin Project in the central part of the state, roughly 100 miles southwest of Spokane. It is the largest city in Adams County.

What is Othello, Washington known for?

Othello is known as a major center of potato processing. Potato plants established on the edge of town in the 1960s helped make it one of the nation's leading producers of frozen potato products, with roughly fifteen percent of American frozen french fries processed locally.

What reservoir is near Othello, Washington?

The Potholes Reservoir, formed by O'Sullivan Dam as part of the Columbia Basin Project, lies near Othello. It offers excellent bass, walleye, perch, and crappie fishing along with boating, and Potholes State Park provides camping and shoreline access.

What school district serves Othello, Washington?

How far is Othello, Washington from Spokane?

Othello is roughly 100 miles southwest of Spokane. State Routes 17 and 26 connect the city to Moses Lake and Interstate 90 to the north and to the Tri-Cities and the Columbia River to the south.

City Guide

About Othello

Real Estate & Housing

Housing in Othello is predominantly single-family and moderately priced for Washington, reflecting its agricultural and industrial economy. The stock includes older mid-century homes in the central neighborhoods and newer subdivisions built to accommodate a growing workforce. Many homes sit on standard city lots, while the surrounding countryside offers larger acreage for those seeking rural properties. The market serves a mix of farm families, food-processing employees, and service workers, with a higher share of owner-occupied homes than in larger west-side cities.

Neighborhoods

Othello is organized around a compact downtown and a grid of residential streets that fan outward toward the surrounding farmland. Older neighborhoods near the center hold mid-century homes, while newer subdivisions ring the city's edges, reflecting decades of population growth tied to the food-processing industry. The community lacks the large master-planned developments of the Puget Sound region, instead growing incrementally around schools, parks, and the downtown core.

Lifestyle in Othello

Life in Othello is shaped by agriculture and community. The food-processing plants and surrounding farms set the rhythm of employment, while schools, churches, and civic events anchor public life. The city's growing, diverse population brings a range of cultural traditions to the Columbia Basin. Residents enjoy ready access to fishing and boating on the Potholes Reservoir and quiet, small-city living, with larger urban amenities available in Moses Lake and the Tri-Cities.

Schools & Education

Othello is served by the Othello School District, which operates elementary, middle, and high schools for the city and the surrounding Adams County area, including McFarland Middle School and Othello High School. The district serves a growing and diverse student population tied to the region's agricultural economy. Its schools are central to community life, and the district's programs support the needs of a working agricultural community.

Getting Around

Othello sits at the junction of State Routes 17 and 26 in Adams County, providing connections to Moses Lake and Interstate 90 to the north, and to the Tri-Cities and the Columbia River to the south. The city is roughly 100 miles southwest of Spokane, and regional highways link it to the broader agricultural areas of the Columbia Basin. Most travel is by private vehicle, with freight and agricultural trucking a constant presence on the area's roads.

Parks & Recreation

The Potholes Reservoir, formed by O'Sullivan Dam, is the region's premier recreation area, offering excellent bass, walleye, perch, and crappie fishing along with boating and water sports. Potholes State Park provides camping, hiking, and shoreline access. The Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, just north of the city, protects wetlands and desert habitat for birding and wildlife viewing, and the surrounding Columbia Basin offers open space for hunting and outdoor recreation.

MARKET SNAPSHOT