West Richland is a city in Benton County, Washington, occupying the west bank of the Yakima River across from Richland and about ten miles west of the Columbia River. It is the fourth-largest municipality in the Tri-Cities metropolitan area, a regional center that also includes Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco. The city's origins are tied directly to the Hanford Site: after the federal government built Hanford during World War II, Richland became a company town where the government owned the housing. Residents who wanted to buy their own homes rather than rent settled on the open land to the west, and the community incorporated as West Richland. That founding impulse still shapes the city, which remains a primarily owner-occupied, single-family community oriented toward the employment centers of Richland and Hanford. The local economy and daily life are anchored by the Hanford Site, a major Department of Energy complex focused on environmental cleanup and science and technology work, along with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in neighboring Richland. The Red Mountain American Viticultural Area lies just west of the city and is among Washington's most regarded wine-growing districts, drawing wineries and tasting rooms that serve both residents and visitors. West Richland combines suburban neighborhoods with direct access to the outdoors. The Yakima River runs along the city's eastern edge, supporting fishing, kayaking, rafting, and bird watching, while low ridges such as Candy Mountain and Red Mountain offer hiking and wide views. The city's park system includes Flat Top Park, the setting for a summer concert series, and the Bombing Range Sports Complex. Annual events such as the Harvest Festival, National Night Out, and the Hogs and Dogs Family Festival give the community a small-town rhythm despite its growth. The blend of newer residential subdivisions, river access, and proximity to the region's two largest employment anchors makes West Richland a convenient base for families and workers in the Tri-Cities.