Later on after my income grows I will start investing in real estate.

I'm still fresh and definitely want to avoid making mistakes that harm my reputation before I grow my legs.

It's come a long way and it's still coming.Once you factor in local external influencers as well such as the Chula Vista Bayfront development (which is actually making good progress in the approval process),  I would argue that IB will only grow in demand. 

It's a win for both of us because he gets under-market rent and my equity begins to grow.

Forbes recently named Wenatchee as the #10 Fastest Growing Job Market in the US.... https://www.forbes.com/places/wa/wenatchee/. 

However I’d like to know if it’s a growing city for both jobs and population.

My goal is to slowly grow a portfolio at 1 to 2 per year until I have 15-20 properties by the time I retire from the government at 50 years old.

Just to note, there is no harm in keeping it under your personal name until you grow.

Is the region growing? 

The area where the house is has been growing like crazy and they keep building more and more businesses around here.