Bellingham, WA

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2022 Population
226,523
0.886% 1-year growth
US Senator
Patty Murray
Democratic Party
US Senator
Maria Cantwell
Democratic Party
2022 Median Age
37.8
0% 1-year change
2022 Poverty Rate
12.9%
4.15% 1-year decrease
2022 Median Household Income
$77,581
10.8% 1-year growth
2022 Median Property Value
$475,000
19.8% 1-year growth
2022 Employed Population
111,457
1.26% 1-year growth

About

In 2022, Bellingham, WA had a population of 227k people with a median age of 37.8 and a median household income of $77,581. Between 2021 and 2022 the population of Bellingham, WA grew from 224,533 to 226,523, a 0.886% increase and its median household income grew from $70,011 to $77,581, a 10.8% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Bellingham, WA are White (Non-Hispanic) (76.8%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (5.33%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (4.4%), Other (Hispanic) (3.68%), and White (Hispanic) (3.16%).

None of the households in Bellingham, WA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

95.3% of the residents in Bellingham, WA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Bellingham, WA are Western Washington University (3,831 degrees awarded in 2022), Whatcom Community College (1,193 degrees), and Bellingham Technical College (835 degrees).

In 2022, the median property value in Bellingham, WA was $475,000, and the homeownership rate was 63%.

Most people in Bellingham, WA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Bellingham, WA was 2 cars per household.

Bellingham, WA borders Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA.

Population & Diversity

Bellingham, WA is home to a population of 227k people, from which 95.3% are citizens. As of 2022, 9.87% of Bellingham, WA residents were born outside of the country (22.4k people).

In 2022, there were 14.4 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (174k people) in Bellingham, WA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 12.1k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) and 9.96k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Citizenship

95.3%
2022 Citizenship
95.2%
2021 Citizenship

As of 2022, 95.3% of Bellingham, WA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.5%. In 2021, the percentage of US citizens in Bellingham, WA was 95.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Bellingham, WA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Bellingham, WA
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    174k ± 643
  2. Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
    12.1k ± 862
  3. Asian (Non-Hispanic)
    9.96k ± 521
10.1%
Hispanic Population
23k people

In 2022, there were 14.4 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (174k people) in Bellingham, WA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 12.1k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) and 9.96k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

10.1% of the people in Bellingham, WA are hispanic (23k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Bellingham, WA as a share of the total population.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Washington.
Most Common Origin
  1. Mexico
    244,390 ± 11,943 people
  2. India
    101,527 ± 7,771 people
  3. China
    86,360 ± 7,174 people

In 2022, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Washington was Mexico, the natal country of 244,390 Washington residents, followed by India with 101,527 and China with 86,360.

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Foreign-Born Population

9.87%
2022 Foreign-Born Population
22.4k people
9.67%
2021 Foreign-Born Population
21.7k people

As of 2022, 9.87% of Bellingham, WA residents (22.4k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2021, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Bellingham, WA was 9.67%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Bellingham, WA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Vietnam
    5,190 ± 450
  2. Gulf War (2001-)
    2,580 ± 507
  3. Gulf War (1990s)
    2,011 ± 322

Bellingham, WA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.01 times greater than any other conflict.

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Economy

The economy of Bellingham, WA employs 111k people. The largest industries in Bellingham, WA are Health Care & Social Assistance (14,761 people), Manufacturing (11,858 people), and Educational Services (11,472 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($148,750), Utilities ($88,628), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($79,844).

Males in Washington have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $73,054. The income inequality in Washington (measured using the Gini index) is 0.47, which is lower than than the national average.

Occupations

111k
2022 Value
± 2,909
1.26%
1 Year growth
± 3.7%

From 2021 to 2022, employment in Bellingham, WA grew at a rate of 1.26%, from 110k employees to 111k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Bellingham, WA, are Management Occupations (11,866 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (11,865 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (9,202 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Bellingham, WA.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Washington (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Employment by Industries

111k
2022 Value
± 2,909
1.26%
1 Year growth
± 3.7%

From 2021 to 2022, employment in Bellingham, WA grew at a rate of 1.26%, from 110k employees to 111k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Bellingham, WA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (14,761 people), Manufacturing (11,858 people), and Educational Services (11,472 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Bellingham, WA, though some of these residents may live in Bellingham, WA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$55,284
Median earning men ± $2,902
$35,398
Median earning women ± $1,209

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2022 are Public Administration ($84,218), Information ($74,858), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($70,247).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2022 are Public Administration ($57,476), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($52,179), and Construction ($51,994).

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.
Y-Axis
3.62%
Year-over-year growth
Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 3.58M people employed in Washington. This represents a 3.62% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.3%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Washington.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments
  1. 2,582
    Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
  2. 1,474
    Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
  3. 1,456
    Manufacturing

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

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Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Washington went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 58% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.8%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.97%).

Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell are the senators currently representing the state of Washington. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Washington is currently represented by 10 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

US Senators from Washington

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.
Patty Murray
Senator from Washington3
Assumed office on January 3, 1993
Maria Cantwell
Senator from Washington1
Assumed office on January 3, 2001

Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell are the senators currently representing Washington.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Washington over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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US Representatives from Washington

Washington is currently represented by 10 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Washington have changed over time starting in 2008.

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Education

In 2022, universities in Bellingham, WA awarded 5,979 degrees. The student population of Bellingham, WA in 2022 is skewed towards women, with 8,690 male students and 11,672 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Bellingham, WA are White (3,974 and 67.3%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (658 and 11.1%), Two or More Races (464 and 7.86%), and Asian (372 and 6.3%).

The largest universities in Bellingham, WA by number of degrees awarded are Western Washington University (3,831 and 64.1%), Whatcom Community College (1,193 and 20%), and Bellingham Technical College (835 and 14%).

The most popular majors in Bellingham, WA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (490 and 8.2%), General Psychology (220 and 3.68%), and General Business Administration & Management (180 and 3.01%).

The median tuition cost in Bellingham, WA for a public four year colleges is $3,546 for in-state students and $6,334 for out-of-state students.

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University
Measure

In 2022 in Bellingham, WA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 92.7%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 29.3%. The number of students enrolled in 2022 was 20,362 (42.7% men and 57.3% women).

The line chart  shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

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Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2022 there were 20,362 students enrolled in Bellingham, WA, 42.7% men and 57.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 13,044 records, of which 56.8% were women and 43.2% men.

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Concentrations

Most Common
  1. 220 degrees awarded
  2. 151 degrees awarded
  3. 136 degrees awarded

In 2022, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Bellingham, WA was General Psychology with 220 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Bellingham, WA according to their major.

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Universities

Gender
Race
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
  1. 3,831 degrees awarded
  2. 1,193 degrees awarded
  3. 835 degrees awarded

In 2022, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Western Washington University with 3,831 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

University

In 2022, 2,530 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Bellingham, WA, which is 0.734 times less than the 3,449 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2022 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 3,974 degrees mean that there were 6.04 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 658 degrees awarded.

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Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($3,546) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2022.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,100) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2022.

Public, 4-year or above ($977) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.
Measure

In 2022, 0.975% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.954% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

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Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.
Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2022 were High School or Equivalent (1.41M), Some college (1.4M), and Bachelors Degree (1.33M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Bellingham, WA was $475,000 in 2022, which is 1.68 times larger than the national average of $281,900. Between 2021 and 2022 the median property value increased from $396,500 to $475,000, a 19.8% increase. The homeownership rate in Bellingham, WA is 63%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.8%.

People in Bellingham, WA have an average commute time of 21.9 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Bellingham, WA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Bellingham, WA is $77,581. In 2022, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Bellingham, WA was King County, WA with a value of $116,340, followed by Snohomish County, WA and Kitsap County, WA, with respective values of $104,083 and $93,675.

Property

$475,000
Median Property Value 2022
±$7,046
$57,442
Median Property Taxes
±$1,797

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Bellingham, WA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Bellingham, WA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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Rent vs Own

63%
Homeownership
2022
69%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2022

In 2022, 63% of the housing units in Bellingham, WA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 62.4%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Bellingham, WA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.
Race/Ethnicity
Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2022, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Bellingham, WA was King County, WA with a value of $116,340, followed by Snohomish County, WA and Kitsap County, WA, with respective values of $104,083 and $93,675.

The following map shows all of the counties in Bellingham, WA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

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Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$77,581
Median Household Income
± $2,536
91.2k
Number of Households
± 2,523

In 2022, the median household income of the 91.2k households in Bellingham, WA grew to $77,581 from the previous year's value of $70,011.

The following chart displays the households in Bellingham, WA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Bellingham, WA is from Washington.
0.47
2022 Wage GINI in Washington
0.468
2021 Wage GINI in Washington

In 2022, the income inequality in Washington was 0.47 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.285% growth from 2021 to 2022, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Washington was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Washington in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Washington across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2022
  1. Drove Alone (72%)
  2. Worked At Home (11.3%)
  3. Carpooled (8.19%)

In 2022, 72% of workers in Bellingham, WA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (11.3%) and those who carpooled to work (8.19%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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Commute Time

21.9 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Bellingham, WA have a shorter commute time (21.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.7 minutes). Additionally, 2.37% of the workforce in Bellingham, WA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Bellingham, WA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Car Ownership

2 cars
Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Bellingham, WA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Bellingham, WA have 2 cars.

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Poverty & Diversity

12.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Bellingham, WA (28.5k out of 221k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Bellingham, WA is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Health

94.1% of the population of Bellingham, WA has health coverage, with 48% on employee plans, 17.5% on Medicaid, 13.5% on Medicare, 13.9% on non-group plans, and 1.27% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Washington see 1184 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.68% increase from the previous year (1176 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1175 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 215 patients per year.

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.
1,184 to 1
Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Washington

Primary care physicians in Washington see an average of 1,184 patients per year. This represents a 0.68% increase from the previous year (1,176 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Washington in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

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Health Care Diversity

In 2022, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 20.7% under 18 years, 25.7% between 18 and 34 years, 35.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 17.9% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49% were men and 51% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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Uninsured People

5.93%
Uninsured
48%
Employer Coverage
17.5%
Medicaid
13.5%
Medicare
13.9%
Non-Group
1.27%
Military or VA

Between 2021 and 2022, the percent of uninsured citizens in Bellingham, WA grew by 5.24% from 5.64% to 5.93%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Bellingham, WA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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