County · Washington
Whatcom County, Washington
Whatcom County, Washington. Whatcom County had 236,392 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.2% since 2020, in line with Washington (+3.8%). It holds 19 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs and 12 census-designated) and 54 census tracts. GEOID 53073.
Whatcom County is the county of the Bellingham, WA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
236,392
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 226,847 · ACS 2020-2024: 230,503
Median household income
$81,784
±$2,688 (90% margin)
Washington: $98,141
Median home value
$585,800
±$9,479 (90% margin)
Washington: $564,600
Median gross rent
$1,555
±$39 (90% margin)
Washington: $1,760
How many people live in Whatcom County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 226,847 residents in Whatcom County. The Census Bureau estimates 236,392 for July 1, 2025, up 4.2% since 2020, in line with Washington (+3.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 230,503 over 2,108 square miles of land.
| Measure | Whatcom County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 230,503 | 7,816,116 | +9,682 |
| Households | 94,021±718 | 3,064,820 | +7,498 |
| Average household size | 2.40±0.02 | 2.50 | −0.09 |
| Housing units | 103,520±83 | 3,306,620 | +6,830 |
Whatcom County's population since 2000
From 166,814 in 2000 to 236,392 in 2025: up 41.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Whatcom County?
Whatcom County holds 19 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 12 census-designated places. The largest is Bellingham with 96,395 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Bellingham | 91,482 | $66,755 |
|---|---|---|
| Lynden | 15,749 | $103,233 |
| Ferndale | 15,048 | $87,579 |
| Birch Bay | 10,115 | $86,854 |
| Sudden Valley | 6,354 | $100,930 |
| Blaine | 5,884 | $84,030 |
| Marietta-Alderwood | 4,015 | $76,019 |
| Peaceful Valley | 3,015 | $59,625 |
| Everson | 2,888 | $80,250 |
| Geneva | 2,652 | $142,188 |
| Sumas | 1,583 | $89,375 |
| Nooksack | 1,471 | $97,159 |
| Point Roberts | 1,191 | $78,125 |
| KendallGEOID 5335135 | 769 | not published |
| CusterGEOID 5316375 | 518 | $93,598 |
| DemingGEOID 5317495 | 339 | not published |
| GlacierGEOID 5326875 | 300 | not published |
| Maple FallsGEOID 5343010 | 291 | $34,574 |
| AcmeGEOID 5300275 | 229 | $67,361 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Whatcom County?
The median resident of Whatcom County is 38.4 years old; 18.5% are under 18 and 18.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 75.7%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 10.6%. 9.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Whatcom County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.4±0.3 | 38.3 | +1.1 |
| Under 18 years | 18.5% | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.9%±0.1 pts | 16.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.6% | 14.4% | +1.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 75.7%±0.3 pts | 63.1% | −3.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.2 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.4%±0.3 pts | 9.7% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.6%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.2%±0.4 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 9.9%±0.5 pts | 15.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 12.5%±0.6 pts | 21.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.3%±0.5 pts | 7.8% | – |
| With a disability | 14.3%±0.7 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.8%±0.6 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.8%±0.5 pts | 92.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 39.3%±1.1 pts | 39.6% | +5.0 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 14.9%±0.7 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.6%±0.5 pts | 2.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Whatcom County earn?
Half of Whatcom County's 94,021 households earn less than $81,784 a year (±$2,688), against $98,141 in Washington. In 2015-2019 the median was $77,514 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $4,270 after inflation. 12.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Whatcom County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $81,784±$2,688 | $98,141 | +$4,270 |
| Mean household income | $109,592±$2,815 | $134,588 | – |
| Per capita income | $45,361±$1,079 | $53,744 | +$5,650 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.9%±1.2 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 13.6%±2.8 pts | 11.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.7%±0.8 pts | 11.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.7%±0.7 pts | 93.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Whatcom County?
Owners occupy 63.7% of Whatcom County's occupied homes and renters 36.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $585,800 by its owner (±$9,479). The median renter pays $1,555 a month including utilities, and 49.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Whatcom County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $585,800±$9,479 | $564,600 | +$160,349 |
| Median gross rent | $1,555±$39 | $1,760 | +$250 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 49.6%±2.7 pts | 40.1% | +3.9 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,307±$46 | $2,445 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 63.7%±1.2 pts | 63.8% | +1.8 pts |
| Housing units | 103,520±83 | 3,306,620 | +6,830 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9%±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.6%±0.9 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 62.8%±1.1 pts | 61.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.3%±0.7 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.4%±0.3 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 11.5%±0.7 pts | 9.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Whatcom County building?
Builders took permits for 1,214 new housing units across Whatcom County in 2025 (607 single-family), 5.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Whatcom County get to work?
69.2% of Whatcom County's workers drive alone and 14.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.8%.
| Measure | Whatcom County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.1%±1.0 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8%±0.6 pts | 5.1% | −0.9 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 69.2%±1.3 pts | 63.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.5%±0.9 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.8%±0.4 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Walked | 3.9%±0.5 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 14.8%±1.1 pts | 19.8% | +8.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.6 min±0.6 | 26.6 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Whatcom County's census tracts?
Whatcom County is divided into 54 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $35,958 (Tract 6) to $120,503 (Tract 103.03).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Whatcom County compare with Washington's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 9th of 39 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 23rd of 39 |
| Residents per square mile | 10th of 39 |
| Median household income | 15th of 39 |
| Median home value | 5th of 39 |
| Median gross rent | 8th of 39 |
| Poverty rate | 13th of 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 5th of 39 |
| Median age | 30th of 39 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Whatcom County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.