This article covers the population and steets in Yakima City, Washington. The city is a part of Yakima County, Washington, and is the county seat. It has a population of 91,196 people, making it the eighth-largest in the state. Most people were of European descent, though significant numbers of African-Americans and Asian-Americans homesteaded here. In recent years, the Yakima Valley has experienced a large influx of Latino immigrants, with many coming from the state of Michoacan in central Mexico.
In addition to the city's two incorporated areas, Yakima County has many unincorporated areas. These include Fruitvale, Liberty, Pomona, and Harwood. These communities are home to a large Hispanic population. The county's population has been growing steadily for several decades. The city's population grew from 27,221 residents in 1940 to 38,486 in 1950 and 45,588 in 1960.
By 1910, the population of Yakima City was 14,082 people. Though formerly known as a saloon and gambling town, the city had become a thriving community. The city now had eighteen churches and dozens of lodges and fraternal orders. It also had a Commercial Club, dedicated to promoting the city's welfare. This group eventually developed into the Chamber of Commerce.
A number of Latino candidates ran for office in Yakima. Graciela Villanueva, a Latina who worked as a recruiter for the Yakima Valley Farm Worker Clinic, lost the election in 2013 to a woman with an Anglo name. She had been appointed to the city council in 2008, but lost the primary in 2013 to a white, Anglo candidate. Sonia Rodriguez True, a conservative talk show host with a history of driving under the influence, won the election in 2013.