1st Advantage MortgageIn Whatcom County, Washington, the typical household earns $81,784 a year and the typical rent is $1,555. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Whatcom County, WA: the basics
- Renting and owning in Whatcom County
- How much Whatcom County households make
- Employment and commuting in Whatcom County
- Regional comparison for Whatcom County
- Towns and communities in Whatcom County
- A Whatcom County household budget, worked through
- Who lives in Whatcom County, in numbers
- What the numbers mean for Whatcom County borrowers
- Four steps for Whatcom County borrowers
- Who licenses lenders for Whatcom County residents
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Whatcom County, WA: the basics
With an estimated 230,503 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Whatcom County ranks 9th of 39 in Washington for population. Packed into 2,108 square miles, that is close to 109 residents for every square mile of land. It is one of the counties that make up the Bellingham, WA metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 19 Census places inside Whatcom County, Bellingham leads by population with about 93,438; 7 of the 19 are incorporated.
Renting and owning in Whatcom County
Renters in Whatcom County pay a median of $1,555 a month, 12% below the Washington figure of $1,760. 60% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 30% spend half or more. With a median value of $585,800, a typical Whatcom County house costs 7.2 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 64%. The median year built is 1989.
| Housing | Whatcom County | Washington statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,555/mo | $1,760/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $585,800 | $564,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 64% | 64% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 60% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 35% | 30% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 6.3% | 5.5% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 9% | 7% | n/a |
High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
How much Whatcom County households make
At $81,784, the typical Whatcom County household income is 25% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 15th among Washington's 39 county-level areas.
| Yearly household income | Whatcom County | Gap to Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.0% | +3.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.9% | +4.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.3% | -1.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 11.8% | -6.7 pts |
About 20% of households earn under $35,000, while 41% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 12.9%, 3 points higher than the state's 9.9%. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Employment and commuting in Whatcom County
The biggest employer of Whatcom County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 24% of workers, followed by professional and administrative services (11%). Compared with Washington, the county leans toward education and health care (24% against 22%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.8% in Whatcom County. About 69% drive to work alone and 9% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Sector | Whatcom County | Compared with Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.9% | +2.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.1% | -3.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.3% | +2.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.9% | +0.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.8% | -1.8 pts |
| Construction | 7.7% | +0.7 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Regional comparison for Whatcom County
Distances run center to center, from Skagit County at 24 miles out to Kitsap County at 91. Snohomish County leads the group on income ($111,246), Chelan County trails ($82,381), and Whatcom County out-earns 0 of the six.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whatcom County | - | $81,784 | $1,555/mo | 64% |
| Skagit County, WA | 24 mi | $89,263 | $1,536/mo | 70% |
| Snohomish County, WA | 55 mi | $111,246 | $1,949/mo | 68% |
| Island County, WA | 61 mi | $90,551 | $1,662/mo | 75% |
| San Juan County, WA | 62 mi | $84,800 | $1,512/mo | 78% |
| Chelan County, WA | 88 mi | $82,381 | $1,226/mo | 65% |
| Kitsap County, WA | 91 mi | $104,158 | $1,822/mo | 70% |
Towns and communities in Whatcom County
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 19 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 73% of Whatcom County residents live in one of the 19. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $59,625 in Peaceful Valley to $142,188 in Geneva. This guide covers each of the 19 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | city | 93,438 | $66,755 | $1,577 | 29 mi |
| Lynden | city | 16,234 | $103,233 | $1,707 | 29 mi |
| Ferndale | city | 15,999 | $87,579 | $1,477 | 34 mi |
| Birch Bay | CDP | 10,837 | $86,854 | $1,222 | 42 mi |
| Blaine | city | 6,100 | $84,030 | $1,450 | 43 mi |
| Sudden Valley | CDP | 6,084 | $100,930 | $1,816 | 25 mi |
| Marietta-Alderwood | CDP | 3,754 | $76,019 | $1,496 | 33 mi |
| Everson | city | 3,040 | $80,250 | $1,294 | 24 mi |
| Peaceful Valley | CDP | 2,858 | $59,625 | $1,477 | 16 mi |
| Geneva | CDP | 2,073 | $142,188 | $1,795 | 27 mi |
| Nooksack | city | 1,794 | $97,159 | $1,721 | 23 mi |
| Sumas | city | 1,512 | $89,375 | $1,585 | 22 mi |
| Point Roberts | CDP | 1,288 | $78,125 | $1,095 | 56 mi |
| Kendall | CDP | 657 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
A Whatcom County household budget, worked through
Here is the Whatcom County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Whatcom County: $6,815
- Housing at the median rent of $1,555 uses 23%
- At 35%, room after rent is $830 a month
- At 45%, room after rent is $1,512 a month
Two-income households and single earners in Whatcom County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Who lives in Whatcom County, in numbers
College graduates make up 39% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 5.8%, against 6.3% for Washington.
| People and households | Whatcom County | Washington | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.4 | 38.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 39.3% | 39.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.2% | 7.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.8% | 6.3% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.4% | 7.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 14.8% | 19.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.9% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.8% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Whatcom County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 36.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 40.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.1% |
| 60+ min | 5.0% |
What the numbers mean for Whatcom County borrowers
Where the Whatcom County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Higher earners. 41% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- Tight rental budgets. With 60% of Whatcom County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Four steps for Whatcom County borrowers
Quick steps for Whatcom County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Ask a Whatcom County credit union about member loans.
Who licenses lenders for Whatcom County residents
Whatcom County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The Washington guide covers state rules in more detail.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Washington guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Whatcom County?
$81,784 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $98,141 for Washington. It ranks 15th of 39 in the state.
What do renters pay in Whatcom County?
$1,555 a month at the median, about 23% of median household income.
Which towns does the Whatcom County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 19 Census places: Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale, Birch Bay, Blaine.
Is the fit check different in Whatcom County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who regulates personal lenders for Whatcom County residents?
The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions licenses consumer lenders in Washington; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.