2 census tracts · pop 13,300 · pop-weighted Eviction Risk Score 5.6/10
· range 4.9–6.1
South Highlands is a white (non-hispanic) neighborhood in Kennewick with 2 census tracts and a population of 13,300 residents. The neighborhood's pop-weighted eviction-risk score of 5.6/10 (Moderate tier) blends state law, county-level filing rates, parent-city politics, and tract-specific rent-to-income ratios + poverty. 38% of renters here pay at least 30% of household income on rent, and 32% are severely cost-burdened (≥50% of income). Average gross rent of $1,442/month sits 16% higher than the Kennewick citywide average ($1,240).
Risk score
5.6
Moderate
2 tracts · population-weighted
South Highlands vs KennewickHow this neighborhood stacks against the citywide average
Single-parent HH, disability, language barriers, age 17- / 65+
Racial/ethnic minority51%ile
Hispanic + non-white share of population
Housing & transport62%ile
Multi-unit structures, mobile homes, crowding, no vehicle
Eviction filings · Princeton Eviction Lab
Court-record eviction history in South Highlands
Aggregated across 1 validated constituent tract. Filing rate is filings per 100 renter households, pop-weighted.
Historic baseline (2000–2018)
12Total filings (sum)
1.79%Avg annual filing rate
1.8%Peak year (2004)
1.79%Latest filed (2004)
Frequently asked
About South Highlands
Q1
What is the eviction-risk score for South Highlands?
South Highlands scores 5.6/10 (Moderate tier) across 2 census tracts. The pop-weighted Eviction Risk Score blends state law, county filing rates, parent-city politics, and tract-specific rent-to-income and poverty signals.
Q2
How does South Highlands compare to Kennewick overall?
South Highlands scores 0.8 points lower than Kennewick overall (6.4/10). Renters spend 38% of income on rent vs 33% citywide. Average rent: $1,442 vs $1,240.
Q3
What is the average rent in South Highlands?
Average gross rent in South Highlands is $1,442/month (pop-weighted across 2 census tracts, ACS 5-year 2023). 38% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Q4
What percentage of South Highlands residents are renters?
16% of South Highlands households are renter-occupied (vs 39% in Kennewick). The neighborhood has 13,300 residents.
Q5
Is South Highlands a high social-vulnerability area?
South Highlands sits in the 59th percentile nationally on the CDC Social Vulnerability Index (moderately vulnerable). The index combines poverty, unemployment, household composition, racial/ethnic minority share, and housing/transportation factors across all US census tracts.
Q6
Which tracts in South Highlands have the highest eviction risk?
The highest-risk constituent tract in South Highlands is census tract 53005011100 (score 6.1/10). Across the 2 tracts in this neighborhood the score ranges from 4.9 to 6.1, a spread of 1.2 points.
Q7
How safe is South Highlands for landlords?
South Highlands carries a moderate-tier eviction-risk profile for landlords (5.6/10). Pop-weighted across 2 constituent tracts, the score blends parent-city rent-control posture, county eviction-process timelines, and tract-specific rent-to-income / poverty signals. Compared to Kennewick as a whole (6.4/10), this neighborhood is lower-risk.
Q8
What is the demographic breakdown of South Highlands?
South Highlands has 13,432 residents (White (non-Hispanic) Neighborhood). Top groups: White (non-Hispanic) (62%), Hispanic / Latino (28.9%), Other / Multiracial (6.2%). Source: ACS 5-year 2023, table B03002.
