Moving to Naches, Washington

by btobers · Published July 2, 2019 · Updated November 18, 2024

Naches, Washington is a small city located in the Yakima Valley of Central Washington. It is situated between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River, giving it a unique geography that provides plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities. The area experiences hot summers and cold winters, with rainfall occurring mainly during the winter months.

The city was first established in 1853 by settlers from Missouri and has since grown to become an important hub in Central Washington. It was once home to several major logging companies but now relies on agriculture and tourism as its main economic drivers. Naches is known for its apple orchards, which produce some of the best apples in Washington State.

Politics in Naches are dominated by local government, with a Mayor-Council system of government overseeing local affairs. In recent years, there has been an effort to increase public participation in local politics through voter initiatives and referendums.

The city’s economy is mainly supported by agriculture and tourism, with many visitors coming to enjoy the outdoor recreation opportunities that abound around Naches. There are also several businesses located within the city limits that provide jobs for residents. The schools in Naches are overseen by the Naches School District, which provides quality education to students from pre-K through 12th grade.

One of the most prominent landmarks in Naches is Mount Rainier National Park, which lies just east of town and offers stunning views of Mount Rainier itself as well as other nearby peaks such as Mount Adams and Mount St Helens. Other notable landmarks include Indian Head Rock, a large rock formation that stands near the Yakima River; Beezley Hills Park; Clear Lake; and several historic churches dating back to pioneer days.

Population: 643. Estimated population in July 2024: 681 (+5.9% change)
Males: 325 (50.5%), Females: 318 (49.5%)

Yakima County

Zip code: 98937

Demographics

Median resident age: 34.5 years
Median household income: $42,083
Median house value: $93,600

Population by Race

Races in Naches:

White Non-Hispanic (84.6%)
Hispanic (10.9%)
Other race (6.7%)
Two or more races (4.7%)
American Indian (2.2%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: German (26.6%), English (12.8%), Irish (10.9%), French Canadian (4.8%), Dutch (4.7%), French (4.5%).

Elevation: 1470 feet

Land area: 0.4 square miles

Population by Education

Naches, Washington is a small town located in Yakima county with a population of around 1,500 people. The town is situated at the base of the Cascade Mountains and is surrounded by breathtaking views of the majestic peaks. The majority of residents are Caucasian, with a smaller population of Hispanic and Native American individuals. The median age in Naches is about 39 years old and the median household income is just over $41,000 per year. The town has a rural feel to it due to its location in the mountains, but there are plenty of amenities available for residents. There are several churches, grocery stores, restaurants, and even an elementary school for the local children to attend. Naches also offers a variety of recreational activities such as hiking trails, fishing spots, and camping sites nearby. Many residents enjoy taking advantage of these activities during their free time to explore nature’s beauty or simply relax away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Naches has also become increasingly popular among tourists due to its close proximity to many popular ski resorts in Washington State which attract visitors from all over the United States each year. In addition to this tourism industry bringing money into the local economy, Naches also benefits from its agricultural sector which produces crops such as apples and grapes that are exported all over the world.

For population 25 years and over in Naches

High school or higher: 77.7%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 9.6%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.1%
Unemployed: 4.2%
Mean travel time to work: 21.0 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Naches town

Never married: 20.5%
Now married: 63.0%
Separated: 3.0%
Widowed: 5.3%
Divorced: 8.1%

5.8% Foreign born (3.9% Latin America, 1.2% Europe).

Population change in the 1990s: +66 (+11.4%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Naches:

PROVIDENCE YAKIMA MEDICAL CENTER (about 15 miles; YAKIMA, WA)
YAKIMA VALLEY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 15 miles; YAKIMA, WA)
KITTITAS VALLEY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (about 23 miles; ELLENSBURG, WA)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Naches:

YAKIMA AIR TERMINAL/MCALLISTER FIELD (about 17 miles; YAKIMA, WA; Abbreviation: YKM)
PANGBORN MEMORIAL (about 57 miles; WENATCHEE, WA; Abbreviation: EAT)
GRANT CO INTL (about 101 miles; MOSES LAKE, WA; Abbreviation: MWH)

Other public-use airports nearest to Naches:

BOWERS FIELD (about 24 miles; ELLENSBURG, WA; Abbreviation: ELN)
TIETON STATE (about 30 miles; RIMROCK, WA; Abbreviation: 4S6)
DE VERE FIELD (about 33 miles; CLE ELUM, WA; Abbreviation: 2W1)

Amtrak station near Naches:

18 miles: YAKIMA (BURGER KING, I-82 AT EXIT 33) – Bus Station. Services: public restrooms, public payphones, full-service food facilities.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Naches:

YAKIMA VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 12 miles; YAKIMA, WA; Full-time enrollment: 2,906)
CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (about 23 miles; ELLENSBURG, WA; Full-time enrollment: 7,420)
WENATCHEE VALLEY COLLEGE (about 55 miles; WENATCHEE, WA; Full-time enrollment: 2,074)
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON-SEATTLE CAMPUS (about 91 miles; SEATTLE, WA; Full-time enrollment: 32,742)
PACIFIC LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY (about 101 miles; TACOMA, WA; Full-time enrollment: 3,265)
GREEN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 109 miles; AUBURN, WA; Full-time enrollment: 4,568)
COLUMBIA BASIN COLLEGE (about 116 miles; PASCO, WA; Full-time enrollment: 3,529)

Schools

Public high school in Naches:

NACHES VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 516; Location: 101 W. FIFTH STREET; Grades: 09 – 12)

Private high school in Naches:

NILE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 34; Location: 351 FLYING H LOOP; Grades: KG – 12)

Public primary/middle school in Naches:

NACHES VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 769; Location: 32 SHAFER AVENUE; Grades: 03 – 08)