East Wenatchee is a city in Douglas County, Washington, on the eastern shore of the Columbia River, directly opposite the city of Wenatchee. With a population of about 14,000, it is the largest incorporated community in Douglas County and forms the eastern half of the Wenatchee Valley, a region famous for apple orchards and known as the "Apple Capital of the World." The city grew substantially in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, annexing much of the East Wenatchee Bench and more than doubling in population between 2000 and 2010. Its position across the river from Wenatchee places it within a shared valley economy built on agriculture, particularly apple and tree-fruit production, along with retail, healthcare, and services. The Wenatchee Valley's agricultural heritage is central to local identity. Orchards blanket the surrounding benches and hillsides, and the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival, held each spring, is a signature regional event that draws visitors from across the Northwest. East Wenatchee shares in this culture while serving as a residential and commercial anchor on the river's east side. Public education is provided by the Eastmont School District, which serves East Wenatchee and the surrounding Douglas County area. The district's schools anchor community life, and the city's neighborhoods are organized around them. Recreation is abundant. The Columbia River provides boating and fishing, and the Apple Capital Loop Trail offers a paved route connecting the valley's riverfronts. The Cascade Range rises to the west, offering skiing, hiking, and mountain access, while the region's sunny, arid climate supports year-round outdoor activity. U.S. Routes 2 and 97 and Pangborn Memorial Airport connect the valley to the wider region.