Whatcom County, WA

County

Add Comparison

2019 Population

220,821

1.85% 1-year growth

US Senator

Patty Murray

Democratic Party

US Senator

Maria Cantwell

Democratic Party

2019 Median Age

37.3

0.811% 1-year increase

2019 Poverty Rate

14.1%

5.9% 1-year decrease

2019 Median Household Income

$62,984

6.24% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$345,700

8.57% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

107,180

2.03% 1-year growth

About

In 2019, Whatcom County, WA had a population of 221k people with a median age of 37.3 and a median household income of $62,984. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Whatcom County, WA grew from 216,812 to 220,821, a 1.85% increase and its median household income grew from $59,285 to $62,984, a 6.24% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Whatcom County, WA are White (Non-Hispanic) (78.9%), White (Hispanic) (4.41%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (4.1%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.64%), and Other (Hispanic) (3.56%). 0% of the households in Whatcom County, WA speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

94.9% of the residents in Whatcom County, WA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Whatcom County, WA are Western Washington University (4,117 degrees awarded in 2020), Whatcom Community College (1,252 degrees), and Bellingham Technical College (677 degrees).

In 2019, the median property value in Whatcom County, WA was $345,700, and the homeownership rate was 61.9%. Most people in Whatcom County, WA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 20.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Whatcom County, WA was 2 cars per household.

Whatcom County, WA borders Okanogan County, WA, San Juan County, WA, and Skagit County, WA.

United States Washington Bellingham, WA

Diversity

Whatcom County, WA is home to a population of 221k people, from which 94.9% are citizens. As of 2019, 10.1% of Whatcom County, WA residents were born outside of the country (22.3k people).

In 2019, there were 17.9 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (174k people) in Whatcom County, WA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 9.73k White (Hispanic) and 9.05k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Whatcom County, WA

White (Non-Hispanic)
174k ± 138
White (Hispanic)
9.73k ± 926
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
9.05k ± 624

9.42%

Hispanic Population

20.8k people

9.42% of the people in Whatcom County, WA are hispanic (20.8k people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

10.1%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

22.3k people

10.2%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

22.2k people

As of 2019, 10.1% of Whatcom County, WA residents (22.3k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Whatcom County, WA was 10.2%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.2

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 1.7

In 2019, the median age of all people in Whatcom County, WA was 37.3. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 36, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 48. But people in Whatcom County, WA are getting getting older. In 2018, the average age of all Whatcom County, WA residents was 37.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Washington.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
247,214 ± 12,002 people
India
80,685 ± 6,936 people
China
72,521 ± 6,579 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Washington was Mexico, the natal country of 247,214 Washington residents, followed by India with 80,685 and China with 72,521.

Citizenship

94.9%

2019 Citizenship

95%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 94.9% of Whatcom County, WA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Whatcom County, WA was 95%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
5,757 ± 506
Gulf War (2001-)
2,589 ± 458
Gulf War (1990s)
2,262 ± 311

Whatcom County, WA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.22 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Washington. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Washington, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

View Full Dashboard

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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.

View Full Dashboard

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Washington. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

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

View Full Dashboard

Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Washington across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

View Full Dashboard

Economy

Median household income in Whatcom County, WA is $62,984. In 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Whatcom County, WA was Census Tract 8.04 with a value of $103,333, followed by Census Tract 107.01 and Census Tract 106, with respective values of $88,563 and $87,137.

Males in Washington have an average income that is 1.36 times higher than the average income of females, which is $58,599. The income inequality in Washington (measured using the Gini index) is 0.468, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Whatcom County, WA employs 107k people. The largest industries in Whatcom County, WA are Health Care & Social Assistance (13,596 people), Retail Trade (13,425 people), and Manufacturing (12,016 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($80,273), Public Administration ($62,786), and Management of Companies & Enterprises ($61,354).

Wages

Median Household Income

$62,984

2019 value

± $1,391

6.24%

1 Year Growth

± 3.14%

Households in Whatcom County, WA have a median annual income of $62,984, which is less than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $59,285 in 2018, which represents a 6.24% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Whatcom County, WA compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Washington.

$79,606

Average Male Salary in Washington

± $1,492

$58,599

Average Female Salary in Washington

± $1,218

In 2019, full-time male employees in Washington made 1.36 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Washington by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Washington.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Washington

Asian
$74,594 ± $3,333
White
$62,706 ± $1,032
Two or More Races
$50,542 ± $3,350

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Washington workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.19 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Washington.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Washington by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Whatcom County, WA is from Washington.

0.468

2019 Wage GINI in Washington

0.469

2018 Wage GINI in Washington

In 2019, the income inequality in Washington was 0.468 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.222% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more 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.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 8.04
Census Tract 107.01
Census Tract 106

In 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Whatcom County, WA was Census Tract 8.04 with a value of $103,333, followed by Census Tract 107.01 and Census Tract 106, with respective values of $88,563 and $87,137.

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

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

14.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Whatcom County, WA (30.4k out of 216k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

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.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
23,242 ± 1,295
Hispanic
4,021 ± 562
Asian
1,759 ± 308

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Whatcom County, WA is White, followed by Hispanic and Asian.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

107k

2019 Value

± 2,579

2.03%

1 Year growth

± 3.29%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Whatcom County, WA grew at a rate of 2.03%, from 105k employees to 107k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Whatcom County, WA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (11,800 people), Sales & Related Occupations (11,014 people), and Management Occupations (10,115 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Whatcom County, WA.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Whatcom County, WA, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (11,800 people), Sales & Related Occupations (11,014 people), and Management Occupations (10,115 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Whatcom County, WA has an unusually high number of residents working as Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (2.42 times higher than expected), Production Occupations (1.21 times), and Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations (1.17 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Whatcom County, WA, by median earnings, are Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors ($81,556), Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($75,414), and Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($72,734).

Industries

Employment by Industries

107k

2019 Value

± 2,579

2.03%

1 Year growth

± 3.29%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Whatcom County, WA grew at a rate of 2.03%, from 105k employees to 107k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Whatcom County, WA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (13,596 people), Retail Trade (13,425 people), and Manufacturing (12,016 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Whatcom County, WA, though some of these residents may live in Whatcom County, WA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Whatcom County, WA, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (13,596 people), Retail Trade (13,425 people), and Manufacturing (12,016 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Whatcom County, WA has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (2 times higher than expected), Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation (1.35 times), and Other Services, Except Public Administration (1.16 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Whatcom County, WA, by median earnings, are Utilities ($80,273), Public Administration ($62,786), and Management of Companies & Enterprises ($61,354).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Washington to other states, or from other states to Washington.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Washington product (by dollars) was Transport equip. with $105B, followed by Misc. mfg. prods. ($46.1B) and Mixed freight ($35.2B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Washington products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Washington.

$500B

2020 Value in Washington

$980B

Projected 2050 Value in Washington

95.8% growth

In 2020, total outbound Washington trade was $500B. This is expected to increase 95.8% to $980B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Washington trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Washington to other states, or from other states to Washington.

Most Common Trade Partners

Oregon
$34.9B
California
$26.9B
Hawaii
$23.3B

In 2020, the top outbound Washington domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Oregon with $34.9B, followed by California with $26.9B and Hawaii and $23.3B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Washington shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Whatcom County, WA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 60.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (36.4%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.8%). The most partisan county was King County, WA with 75% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

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.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (60.4%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (36.4%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.8%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Whatcom County, WA for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Washington.

Joseph R Biden Jr.

Popular Vote for Whatcom County, WA

60.4% for the Democratic Party

Most Partisan Counties in Washington

King County, WA
75% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
San Juan County, WA
73.7% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Lincoln County, WA
73.2% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in Washington was King County, WA with 75% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in Washington colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from Washington

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.

Patty Murray

Senator from Washington

Assumed office on January 3, 1993

Maria Cantwell

Senator from Washington

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.

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.

Education

In 2020, universities in Whatcom County, WA awarded 6,178 degrees. The student population of Whatcom County, WA is skewed towards women, with 8,612 male students and 11,707 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Whatcom County, WA are White (4,243 and 70.1%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (549 and 9.07%), Two or More Races (443 and 7.32%), and Asian (338 and 5.59%).

The largest universities in Whatcom County, WA by number of degrees awarded are Western Washington University (4,117 and 66.6%), Whatcom Community College (1,252 and 20.3%), and Bellingham Technical College (677 and 11%).

The most popular majors in Whatcom County, WA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (565 and 9.15%), General Psychology (203 and 3.29%), and Environmental Science (176 and 2.85%).

The median tuition cost in Whatcom County, WA for a public four year colleges is $5,401 for in-state students and $8,125 for out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
203 degree-majorss awarded
Environmental Science
169 degree-majorss awarded
Sociology
145 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Whatcom County, WA was General Psychology with 203 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Western Washington University
4,117 degrees awarded
Whatcom Community College
1,252 degrees awarded
Bellingham Technical College
677 degrees awarded

$5,401

Median In-State Public

In 2020, the Whatcom County, WA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Western Washington University with 4,117 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

2,560

Degrees Awarded to Men

3,618

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 2,560 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Whatcom County, WA, which is 0.708 times less than the 3,618 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the institutions in Whatcom County, WA by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
4,243 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
549 degrees awarded
Two or More Races
443 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Whatcom County, WA was White students. These 4,243 degrees mean that there were 7.73 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 549 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Whatcom County, WA was $345,700 in 2019, which is 1.44 times larger than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $318,400 to $345,700, a 8.57% increase. The homeownership rate in Whatcom County, WA is 61.9%, which is lower than the national average of 64.1%. People in Whatcom County, WA have an average commute time of 20.6 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Whatcom County, WA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$345,700

2019 Median

± $5,347

$318,400

2018 Median

± $5,571

In 2019, the median property value in Whatcom County, WA grew to to $345,700 from the previous year's value of $318,400.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Whatcom County, WA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Whatcom County, WA the largest share of households have a property value in the $300k - $400k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$62,984

Median Household Income

± $1,391

86.5k

Number of Households

± 2,191

In 2019, the median household income of the 86.5k households in Whatcom County, WA grew to $62,984 from the previous year's value of $59,285.

The following chart displays the households in Whatcom County, 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.

Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Whatcom County, WA distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Whatcom County, WA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

Rent vs Own

61.9%

2019 Homeownership

62%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 61.9% of the housing units in Whatcom County, WA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 62%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 64.1%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Whatcom County, WA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

20.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Whatcom County, WA have a shorter commute time (20.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 2.73% of the workforce in Whatcom County, WA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (76.3%)
Carpooled (8.56%)
Worked At Home (6.1%)

In 2019, 76.3% of workers in Whatcom County, WA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.56%) and those who worked at home (6.1%).

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.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Health

93.8% of the population of Whatcom County, WA has health coverage, with 46.6% on employee plans, 17.5% on Medicaid, 12.6% on Medicare, 15.4% on non-group plans, and 1.6% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Washington was $7,913 in 2014. This is a 4% increase from the previous year ($7,609).

Primary care physicians in Whatcom County, WA see 1106 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.912% increase from the previous year (1096 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1373 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 214 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Wahkiakum County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (14.8%). Additionally, Pend Oreille County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (41.6%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,106 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Whatcom County, WA

Primary care physicians in Whatcom County, WA see an average of 1,106 patients per year. This represents a 0.912% increase from the previous year (1,096 patients).

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

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

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

$7,913

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Washington

$4,328

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$5,851

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$8,997

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Washington (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4%, from $7,609 to $7,913.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

6.25%

Uninsured

46.6%

Employer Coverage

17.5%

Medicaid

12.6%

Medicare

15.4%

Non-Group

1.6%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Whatcom County, WA declined by 3.75% from 6.49% to 6.25%.

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