Wenatchee, Washington is a city in the state of Washington. As of 2010, there are 33,257 people living in the city. That's above the national average. Its primarily White population is closely followed by Alaskan, American Indian, and Black populations. Despite this, about 27% of the city's population is of Hispanic descent, which is also reflected in its high percentage of Spanish speakers.
Wenatchee has a low unemployment rate, with only 3.2% of residents claiming unemployment. The government accounts for 14.6% of the population, making the city affordable to many residents. The median household income is $53,167, and 55.1% of Wenatchee households are owner-occupied. However, nearly one-fourth of all households are renters. This percentage reflects a significant difference in household income.
The town's original site was nearly a mile north of its present location. It was moved to a new site by the Wenatchee Development Company in 1892. The city grew to become a thriving city, with a flourishing apple industry. During the early days, the city struggled to meet basic civic needs. The streets were unpaved, garbage was left in boxes and outhouses were overflowing with flies. A local newspaper, "The Wenatchee Review," waxed graphically about the conditions of these places.
Wenatchee was first platted in September 1888. The city was officially incorporated on January 7, 1893. A newspaper, The Wenatchee Advance, was founded in 1891 by Frank and Belle Reeves. As of 1900, there were 451 residents in Wenatchee, according to the U.S. Census. The Great Northern Railway connected the city to Seattle in 1893, providing freight services for out-of-state markets.