Whatcom County is a county located in the
U.S. stateA U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Washington. Its name ultimately derives from the Lummi word
Xwotʼqom, meaning "noisy water." As of 2010, the population was 201,140. The county seat is at
BellinghamBellingham is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Whatcom County in the U.S. state of Washington. It is the twelfth-largest city in the state. Situated on Bellingham Bay, Bellingham is protected by Lummi Island, Portage Island, and the Lummi Peninsula, and opens onto the Strait of Georgia...
, which is also the county's largest city. Whatcom County's northern border is the international boundary with the Canadian province of
British ColumbiaBritish Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
; adjoining the county on the north are four of metropolitan
Vancouver'sVancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
suburbs,
DeltaDelta is a district municipality in British Columbia, and forms part of Metro Vancouver. Located south of Richmond, it is bordered by the Fraser River to the north, the United States to the south and the city of Surrey to the east...
,
White RockWhite Rock is a city in British Columbia, Canada, that lies within the Metro Vancouver regional district. It borders Semiahmoo Bay and is surrounded on three sides by the City of Surrey, British Columbia. To the south lies the Semiahmoo First Nation, which is within the city limits of Surrey...
,
SurreySurrey is a city in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is a member municipality of Metro Vancouver, the governing body of the Greater Vancouver Regional District...
,
LangleyThe Township of Langley is a district municipality immediately east of the City of Surrey in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It extends south from the Fraser River to the U.S. border, and west of the City of Abbotsford...
, and, in the central Fraser Valley,
AbbotsfordAbbotsford is a Canadian city located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, adjacent to Greater Vancouver. It is the fifth largest municipality in British Columbia, home to 123,864 people . Its Census Metropolitan Area, which includes the District of Mission, is the 23rd largest in Canada,...
, with several shopping malls and other services in
BellinghamBellingham is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Whatcom County in the U.S. state of Washington. It is the twelfth-largest city in the state. Situated on Bellingham Bay, Bellingham is protected by Lummi Island, Portage Island, and the Lummi Peninsula, and opens onto the Strait of Georgia...
and elsewhere in the county geared to cross-border shopping and recreation. The five crossing points are two at
BlaineBlaine is a city in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. The city's northern boundary is the Canadian border. Blaine is the shared home of the Peace Arch international monument...
(one at the
Peace ArchThe Peace Arch is a monument situated on the Canada – United States border between the communities of Blaine, Washington and Surrey, British Columbia. The Peace Arch, which stands...
, located on the Interstate 5 crossing, and the other a commercial and passenger crossing on the Pacific Highway at State Route 543, both to
Surrey, British ColumbiaSurrey is a city in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is a member municipality of Metro Vancouver, the governing body of the Greater Vancouver Regional District...
), as well as at
LyndenLynden is the second largest city in Whatcom County. Named and established in 1874 on the site of the Nooksack Indian village Squahalish , the town of Lynden began as a pioneer settlement headed by Holden and Phoebe Judson and is today home to one of the largest Dutch American communities in the...
(SR 539, to
Aldergrove)Aldergrove is a small town within the jurisdiction of the The Township of Langley, a municipality within Greater Vancouver. Located at the southeastern edge of both Langley and Greater Vancouver, and nearby to the metropolitan area of Abbotsford, British Columbia just east, Aldergrove has a...
,
Sumas (SR 9, to
AbbotsfordAbbotsford is a Canadian city located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, adjacent to Greater Vancouver. It is the fifth largest municipality in British Columbia, home to 123,864 people . Its Census Metropolitan Area, which includes the District of Mission, is the 23rd largest in Canada,...
), and
Point RobertsPoint Roberts is an unincorporated community in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. It has a post office, with the ZIP code of 98281, whose ZIP Code Tabulation Area had a population of 1,314 at the 2010 census.A geopolitical oddity, Point Roberts is a part of the United States that is not...
(Tyee Drive, to
TsawwassenTsawwassen is a suburban, mostly residential community located on a peninsula in the southwestern corner of the Corporation of Delta, British Columbia, Canada. Tsawwassen provides the only road access to the community of Point Roberts, Washington via 56th Street...
). Whatcom County is contiguous with Bellingham Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Whatcom County was created out of Island County by the Washington Territorial Legislature on March 9, 1854, and originally included present day San Juan and Skagit Counties.
Government
The Whatcom County government is a municipal corporation operating under a County Charter. Voters approved the County Charter in 1978. The Charter acts as a county constitution. Whatcom County is one of only four counties in Washington to use the home rule charter provision of state law. Local government is split between the county, incorporated cities and towns, and special purpose districts. These local governments are established and operate according to state law. These local governments operate independently from the county government.
County government
The Charter establishes the structure of Whatcom County government. The
County CouncilA county council is the elected administrative body governing an area known as a county. This term has slightly different meanings in different countries.-United Kingdom:...
holds legislative powers granted to counties. The council consists of seven members elected for a term of four (4) years. Council members are elected at the general election in November of odd-numbered years. Three council members are elected one year before a Presidential election; four council members are elected one year after a Presidential election. Two members are elected from each of three districts; the seventh member is an at-large member. The County Council also serves as the county board of health.
The executive branch consists of six elected officials, a County Executive and five department heads. The County Executive is similar to a mayor or governor. The Assessor, Auditor, Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff, and Treasurer are elected independently from the County Executive and serve as department heads. These six officials serve four year terms. The county council establishes various departments by ordinance. The county council or county executive appoint department heads. These departments include administrative services, health, medical examiner, planning and development services, parks and recreation, and public works.
The judicial branch consists of a district court and superior court. The district court is a court of limited jurisdiction. The district court handles civil and criminal cases. Criminal cases are limited to adults charged with misdemeanor and/or gross misdemeanor offenses. State law specifies what cases are in the district court's jurisdiction. The district court operates a small claims court to resolve civil cases involving monetary damages not exceeding $5,000. No attorneys are permitted to appear in small claims court. Cases are heard using less formal procedures. The district court has two judges, a court commissioner, and a support staff. The superior court is a court of general jurisdiction. Superior court hears civil cases exceeding $75,000 or requesting nonmonetary remedies. Superior court hears all juvenile criminal cases and all adult felony cases. Superior court also hears appeals from district court and municipal courts. Superior court staff include three judges, three full-time court commissioners, two part-time court commissioners, and support staff. District and superior court judges are elected by the county voters for a term of four (4) years. Court commissioners are appointed by and serve at the discretion of elected judges; commissioners have powers and responsibilities equal to elected judges.
Cities and towns
Incorporated cities and towns provide municipal services. Each city or town has an elected council and mayor.
Special purpose districts
Special purpose districts include cemetery, fire, hospital, library, school, and water and sewer districts. Each special district is governed by officials elected by voters within that jurisdiction.
Fire districts
There are 12 fire districts, 2 city fire departments and 1 regional fire authority providing fire prevention, fire fighting, and emergency medical services. Each fire district is governed by an elected board of commissioners. Most districts have three commissioners. Fire districts receive most of their revenue from property taxes. All of the fire districts and the regional fire authority have volunteer or paid-call firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs), as does the City of Lynden Fire Department. The City of Bellingham is an all-career department. Some of the districts also have full time firefighter/EMTs. All fire districts use
911Year 911 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.-Africa:* Rebellion of the Kutama Berbers against the Fatimid Caliphate...
for emergency calls. Whatcom County has one
911Year 911 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.-Africa:* Rebellion of the Kutama Berbers against the Fatimid Caliphate...
call center located in Bellingham. Fire/EMS calls are processed and dispatched at a second PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) called Prospect that is located at a fire station in Bellingham. Additional dispatching locations provide backup capacity to answer emergency calls.
Whatcom County Fire Districts are:
- Fire District 1 serves Deming
Deming is a census-designated place in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. Named for its first postmaster, George Deming, its population was 353 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Deming is located at ....
, EversonEverson is a city in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. The population was 2,481 at the 2010 census.Everson and the nearby city of Nooksack lie near the foothills of the Cascade mountains in Northwest Washington. Located on the banks of the Nooksack River, the businesses support the...
, NooksackNooksack is a city in Whatcom County, Washington, close to the border with Canada. The population was 1,338 at the 2010 census. This town shares Nooksack Valley School District with Sumas and Everson....
, and Nugents Corner.
- Fire District 4 serves the Northshore area near Lake Whatcom.
- Fire District 5 serves Point Roberts.
- Fire District 7 serves areas near Ferndale
-Demographics:As of the census of 2009, there were 11,681 people, 3,901 households, and 2,303 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,409.1 people per square mile . There were 3,292 housing units at an average density of 529.7 per square mile...
and Cherry Point.
- Fire District 8 serves Bellingham International Airport
Bellingham International Airport is a public airport located three miles northwest of Bellingham, in Whatcom County, Washington, USA. The airport has a single runway. Due to the close proximity to British Columbia, the Bellingham International Airport functions somewhat as a reliever airport to...
, the Lummi Nation, and Marietta.
- Fire District 11 serves Lummi Island
Lummi Island is an unincorporated community in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. Lummi Island is located on the east side of Lummi Island in Puget Sound. Lummi Island has a post office with ZIP code 98262....
Lummi IslandLummi Island lies at the southwest corner of Whatcom County, Washington, USA, between the mainland part of the county and offshore San Juan County. The Lummi Indian Reservation is situated on a peninsula east of the island, but does not include Lummi Island. The island has a land area of...
- Fire District 14 serves areas around SR 542 between Deming
Deming is a census-designated place in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. Named for its first postmaster, George Deming, its population was 353 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Deming is located at ....
and Maple Falls, WashingtonMaple Falls is a census-designated place in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. The population was 324 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
, SR 547State Route 547 is a Washington state highway located in Whatcom County, south of the Canadian border. The long route runs northwest from in Kendall to in Sumas. The highway was originally created in 1984, but a road extending from Kendall to Sumas has been on maps since 1966 along the...
, and Sumas.
- Fire District 16 serves communities along SR 9 south of SR 542.
- Fire District 17 serves Sandy Point.
- Fire District 18 serves southern Lake Whatcom
Lake Whatcom Reservoir is located in Whatcom County, Washington. It is the drinking water source for approximately 85,000 residents in the City of Bellingham as well as Whatcom County. It is approximately 10 miles total in length and 1 mile in width at its widest...
and Glenhaven Lakes.
- Fire District 19 serves Glacier
Glacier is a census-designated place in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. The population was 211 at the 2010 census.Based on per capita income, Glacier ranks 522nd of 522 areas in the state of Washington to be ranked. Glacier is hoping to change this with the opening of the Glacier...
.
- Fire District 21 (North Whatcom Fire Rescue) serves northwest Whatcom County including Birch Bay
-External links:*...
, BlaineBlaine is a city in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. The city's northern boundary is the Canadian border. Blaine is the shared home of the Peace Arch international monument...
, LaurelLaurel is an unincorporated community in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. It lies between the cities of Bellingham and Lynden. Today Laurel is included in the Lynden metropolitan statistical area. Laurel is landlocked.-References:...
, and LyndenLynden is the second largest city in Whatcom County. Named and established in 1874 on the site of the Nooksack Indian village Squahalish , the town of Lynden began as a pioneer settlement headed by Holden and Phoebe Judson and is today home to one of the largest Dutch American communities in the...
°.
° outside Lynden city limits only. The Lynden Fire Department serves Lynden.
- The South Whatcom Regional Fire Authority serves Geneva
Geneva is a census-designated place in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. The population was 2,321 at the 2010 census.Based on per capita income, Geneva ranks 85th of 522 areas in the state of Washington to be ranked...
, Sudden ValleySudden Valley is a census-designated place in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. The population was 6,441 at the 2010 census.Based on per capita income, one of the more reliable measures of affluence, Sudden Valley ranks 97th of 522 areas in the state of Washington to be...
, Chuckanut Drive, Lake Samish and Yew Street Road.
Geography
According to the
U.S. Census BureauThe United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the county has a total area of 2504 square miles (6,485 km²), of which 2120 square miles (5,490.8 km²) is land and 384 square miles (995 km²) (15.34%) is water, including
Lake WhatcomLake Whatcom Reservoir is located in Whatcom County, Washington. It is the drinking water source for approximately 85,000 residents in the City of Bellingham as well as Whatcom County. It is approximately 10 miles total in length and 1 mile in width at its widest...
, which empties into
Bellingham BayBellingham Bay is a bay located on the northern Pacific coast of Washington state in the United States. It is separated from the Strait of Georgia on the west by the Lummi Peninsula, Portage Island, and Lummi Island. It is bordered on the east by Bellingham, Washington, to the south-east by the...
by way of Whatcom Creek. Physiographically, Whatcom County is an extension of the
Fraser ValleyThe Fraser Valley is the section of the Fraser River basin in southwestern British Columbia downstream of the Fraser Canyon. The term is sometimes used to refer to the Fraser Canyon and stretches upstream from there, but in general British Columbian usage of the term refers to the stretch of the...
or "
Lower MainlandThe Lower Mainland is a name commonly applied to the region surrounding and including Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. As of 2007, 2,524,113 people live in the region; sixteen of the province's thirty most populous municipalities are located there.While the term Lower Mainland has been...
" area of
British ColumbiaBritish Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, which is essentially the lowland delta plain of the Fraser River - at some times in the past one of the
Fraser RiverThe Fraser River is the longest river within British Columbia, Canada, rising at Fraser Pass near Mount Robson in the Rocky Mountains and flowing for , into the Strait of Georgia at the city of Vancouver. It is the tenth longest river in Canada...
's lower arms entered
Bellingham BayBellingham Bay is a bay located on the northern Pacific coast of Washington state in the United States. It is separated from the Strait of Georgia on the west by the Lummi Peninsula, Portage Island, and Lummi Island. It is bordered on the east by Bellingham, Washington, to the south-east by the...
near
BellinghamBellingham is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Whatcom County in the U.S. state of Washington. It is the twelfth-largest city in the state. Situated on Bellingham Bay, Bellingham is protected by Lummi Island, Portage Island, and the Lummi Peninsula, and opens onto the Strait of Georgia...
via what is now the mouth of the
Nooksack RiverThe Nooksack River is a river in the northwest part of the U.S. state of Washington. It drains an area of the Cascade Range around Mount Baker, near the Canadian border. The lower river flows through a fertile agricultural area before emptying into Bellingham Bay and, via the Strait of Juan de Fuca...
. A very small part of the county,
Point RobertsPoint Roberts is an unincorporated community in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. It has a post office, with the ZIP code of 98281, whose ZIP Code Tabulation Area had a population of 1,314 at the 2010 census.A geopolitical oddity, Point Roberts is a part of the United States that is not...
, about 5 square miles (13 km²), is an extension of the Tsawwassen Peninsula, which is bisected by the international boundary along the 49th Parallel. The highest point in the county is the peak of the active volcano
Mount BakerMount Baker , also known as Koma Kulshan or simply Kulshan, is an active glaciated andesitic stratovolcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc and the North Cascades of Washington State in the United States. It is the second-most active volcano in the range after Mount Saint Helens...
at 10778 feet (3,285 m) above sea level. The lowest points are at sea level along the
Pacific OceanThe Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
.
Geographic features
- Bellingham Bay
Bellingham Bay is a bay located on the northern Pacific coast of Washington state in the United States. It is separated from the Strait of Georgia on the west by the Lummi Peninsula, Portage Island, and Lummi Island. It is bordered on the east by Bellingham, Washington, to the south-east by the...
- Birch Bay
- Cascade Mountains
The North Cascades are a section of the Cascade Range of western North America. They span the border between the Canadian province of British Columbia and the U.S. state of Washington and are officially named in Canada as the Cascade Mountains...
- Chuckanut Mountains
The Chuckanut Mountains , or Chuckanuts, are located on the northern Washington state coast of Puget Sound, just south of Bellingham, Washington. Being a part of the Cascade Range, they are the only place where the Cascades come west down to meet the sea...
- Mount Baker
Mount Baker , also known as Koma Kulshan or simply Kulshan, is an active glaciated andesitic stratovolcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc and the North Cascades of Washington State in the United States. It is the second-most active volcano in the range after Mount Saint Helens...
, highest point in Whatcom County
- American Border Peak
American Border Peak is a mountain just south of the US-Canada border, in the North Cascades of Washington state, with a corresponding sister peak, Canadian Border Peak, just north along a col connecting to it across the border. It is located within the Mount Baker Wilderness, part of the Mount...
- Sumas Mountain
Sumas Mountain is a mountain located in Whatcom County, Washington, 15 miles northeast of Bellingham and southwest of Vedder Mountain. Located in the Skagit Range the mountain is notable for its high biodiversity and year-round hiking trails. It is sometimes referred to as American Sumas to...
- Mount Shuksan
Mount Shuksan is a glaciated massif in the North Cascades National Park. Shuksan rises in Whatcom County, Washington immediately to the east of Mount Baker, and south of the Canadian border. The mountain's name Shuksan is derived from the Lummi word [šéqsən], said to mean "high peak". The highest...
- Chilliwack River/Chilliwack Lake
- Eliza Island
Eliza Island is located in the western part of Bellingham Bay in the state of Washington, USA. It lies just east of the southern part of Lummi Island, in Whatcom County. Eliza Island has a land area of 0.571 km² . There was a population of ten persons as of the 2000 census.The island was named...
- Lake Whatcom
Lake Whatcom Reservoir is located in Whatcom County, Washington. It is the drinking water source for approximately 85,000 residents in the City of Bellingham as well as Whatcom County. It is approximately 10 miles total in length and 1 mile in width at its widest...
- Lummi Island
Lummi Island lies at the southwest corner of Whatcom County, Washington, USA, between the mainland part of the county and offshore San Juan County. The Lummi Indian Reservation is situated on a peninsula east of the island, but does not include Lummi Island. The island has a land area of...
- Lummi Bay
- Nooksack River
The Nooksack River is a river in the northwest part of the U.S. state of Washington. It drains an area of the Cascade Range around Mount Baker, near the Canadian border. The lower river flows through a fertile agricultural area before emptying into Bellingham Bay and, via the Strait of Juan de Fuca...
- North Lookout Mountain
Galbraith Mountain is the common name for North Lookout Mountain, located between the communities of Sudden Valley and Bellingham, Washington. A area was owned by the Trillium Corporation until April 1, 2010, when the company surrendered the property to Polygon Financial Partners instead of...
, known locally as Galbraith Mountain
- Portage Island
Portage Island is an island in the western part of Bellingham Bay in Whatcom County, Washington, USA. It is separated from the Lummi Peninsula by Portage Bay and from the central part of Lummi Island by Hale Passage, in Whatcom County. Portage Island has a land area of 3.803 km² . There was no...
- Semiahmoo Bay
Semiahmoo Bay is the southeastern section of Boundary Bay on the Pacific coast of North America. The name "Semiahmoo" is a Coast Salish word for "half moon".From the north to south, the following communities and places are located on its shore:...
- Semiahmoo Spit
Semiahmoo Spit is a spit that protrudes from the westernmost expanse of shore along Drayton Harbor in the city of Blaine, WA located in Whatcom County, WA.-Geomorphology and geography:...
- Skagit River
The Skagit River is a river in southwestern British Columbia in Canada and northwestern Washington in the United States, approximately 150 mi long...
/Ross LakeRoss Lake is a large reservoir in the North Cascade mountains of northern Washington state, USA, and southwestern British Columbia, Canada. The lake runs approximately north-south, is 23 miles long, up to 1.5 miles wide, and the full reservoir elevation is 1,604 feet above sea level .The U.S...
- Sumas River
The Sumas River is a tributary of the Fraser River in the Canadian province of British Columbia and the U.S. state of Washington.-Course:The Sumas River originates in Whatcom County, Washington just north of the Nooksack River and west of Sumas Mountain...
Major highways
- Interstate 5
Interstate 5 is the main Interstate Highway on the West Coast of the United States, running largely parallel to the Pacific Ocean coastline from Canada to Mexico . It serves some of the largest cities on the U.S...
connecting with VancouverVancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, Seattle, PortlandPortland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, Los AngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, San Diego and points south.
- SR 20 connecting US 101
U.S. Route 101, or U.S. Highway 101, is an important north–south U.S. highway that runs through the states of California, Oregon, and Washington, on the West Coast of the United States...
and Sidney, British ColumbiaSidney is a town located at the northern end of the Saanich Peninsula, on Vancouver Island in the Canadian province of British Columbia. It is one of the 13 Greater Victoria municipalities. It has a population of approximately 11,300. Sidney is located just east of Victoria International Airport,...
with Newport, WashingtonNewport is a city in, and the county seat of, Pend Oreille County, Washington. The population was 2,126 at the 2010 census.-History:Newport was given its name in 1890 because it was selected as a landing site for the first steamboat on the Pend Oreille River. Newport was officially incorporated on...
via the North Cascades Highway. Farthest north highway thru the Cascade Mountains in USA. Note that this highway does not connect to most of Whatcom County - Instead, a person would have to travel south to Sedro-Woolley in Skagit County to connect to Highway 20.
- Alaska Marine Highway
The Alaska Marine Highway or the Alaska Marine Highway System is a ferry service operated by the government of the U.S. state of Alaska. It has its headquarters in Ketchikan, Alaska....
connecting Alaska highways to the Interstate Highway SystemThe Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, , is a network of limited-access roads including freeways, highways, and expressways forming part of the National Highway System of the United States of America...
.
Adjacent counties
Whatcom County also has land borders with two administrative units of
British ColumbiaBritish Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada, which together comprise the region known as the
Lower MainlandThe Lower Mainland is a name commonly applied to the region surrounding and including Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. As of 2007, 2,524,113 people live in the region; sixteen of the province's thirty most populous municipalities are located there.While the term Lower Mainland has been...
, and also a water border with the
Gulf IslandsThe Gulf Islands are the islands in the Strait of Georgia , between Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia, Canada....
, which form Electoral Area G of the
Capital Regional DistrictThe Capital Regional District is a local government administrative district encompassing the southern tip of Vancouver Island and the southern Gulf Islands in the Canadian province of British Columbia...
.
- Metro Vancouver
- Fraser Valley Regional District
- Capital Regional District
The Capital Regional District is a local government administrative district encompassing the southern tip of Vancouver Island and the southern Gulf Islands in the Canadian province of British Columbia...
(water boundary with Gulf Islands only, across Strait of GeorgiaThe Strait of Georgia or the Georgia Strait is a strait between Vancouver Island and the mainland coast of British Columbia, Canada. It is approximately long and varies in width from...
)
State protected areas
- Birch Bay State Park
Birch Bay State Park, near Blaine in Whatcom County, Washington, is part of the Washington State Park System. It's , with of shoreline on Birch Bay and 14,900' along Terrell Creek allows camping, picnicking, fishing, hiking, crabbing, clamming, and boating....
- Lake Terrell Wildlife Refuge
- Larrabee State Park
Larrabee State Park is a state park in Washington, located six miles south of the city of Bellingham. It was the first state park to be created in Washington.- History :...
- Lookout Mountain (DNR
The Washington Department of Natural Resources manage over of forest, range, agricultural, and commercial lands for the people of Washington State. DNR also manages of aquatic areas which include shorelines, tidelands, lands under Puget Sound and the coast, and navigable lakes and rivers...
)
- Lummi Island
Lummi Island lies at the southwest corner of Whatcom County, Washington, USA, between the mainland part of the county and offshore San Juan County. The Lummi Indian Reservation is situated on a peninsula east of the island, but does not include Lummi Island. The island has a land area of...
(part) (DNRThe Washington Department of Natural Resources manage over of forest, range, agricultural, and commercial lands for the people of Washington State. DNR also manages of aquatic areas which include shorelines, tidelands, lands under Puget Sound and the coast, and navigable lakes and rivers...
)
- Stewart Mountain (DNR
The Washington Department of Natural Resources manage over of forest, range, agricultural, and commercial lands for the people of Washington State. DNR also manages of aquatic areas which include shorelines, tidelands, lands under Puget Sound and the coast, and navigable lakes and rivers...
)
- Lake Whatcom
Lake Whatcom Reservoir is located in Whatcom County, Washington. It is the drinking water source for approximately 85,000 residents in the City of Bellingham as well as Whatcom County. It is approximately 10 miles total in length and 1 mile in width at its widest...
Watershed
National protected areas
- Mount Baker National Recreation Area
Mount Baker National Recreation Area is a United States National Recreation Area located in northern Washington about 15 miles south of the Canadian border within the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest....
- Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
The Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in Washington extends more than along the western slopes of the Cascade Range from the Canadian border to the northern boundary of Mount Rainier National Park. Forest headquarters are located in the city of Everett....
(part)
- North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park is a U.S. National Park located in the state of Washington. The park is the largest of the three National Park Service units that comprise the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. Several national wilderness areas and British Columbia parkland adjoin the...
(part)
- Ross Lake National Recreation Area
Ross Lake National Recreation Area is a US National Recreation Area located in north central Washington just south of the Canadian border. It is the most accessible part of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex which also includes North Cascades National Park and Lake Chelan National...
(part)
- Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (part)
Primary and Secondary Education
Whatcom County residents are served by a number of public and private schools. These schools provide preschool, primary (K-5), and secondary (6-12) education. Public schools are operated by eight school districts. Each school district is an independent local government managed by an elected school board. Seven districts serve the western portion of Whatcom County. One district serves the southeast corner of Whatcom County. The remaining portion of the county is national forest or national park land, which has no permanent residents.
These districts are:
- Bellingham School District
Bellingham School District No. 501 is a public school district in Whatcom County, Washington, USA and serves the city of Bellingham.As of October 2004, the district has an enrollment of 10,763 students....
serves Bellingham, Chuckanut, Lake Samish, and Sudden Valley.
- Blaine School District
Blaine School District No. 503 is a public school district in Whatcom County, Washington, USA and serves the communities of Blaine and Point Roberts.As of October 2004, the district has an enrollment of 2,272 students.- Mascot :...
serves Blaine, Birch Bay, and Point Roberts.
- Concrete School District serves the county's southeast corner including Newhalem
Newhalem is a small, unincorporated community in northwestern Washington, USA, located in the western foothills of the North Cascades along the Skagit River. It is located within Whatcom County....
and Diablo.
- Ferndale School District
Ferndale School District is a primary and secondary education school district located in Ferndale, WashingtonIn recent years, Ferndale High School and Windward High School in Ferndale have excelled in music and sports...
serves Ferndale, Custer, Lummi Island, and the Lummi Nation.
- Lynden School District
Lynden School District is a public primary and secondary education school district located in Lynden, Washington. The Lynden School District operates one high school, two middle schools, and three elementary schools...
serves Lynden and surrounding areas.
- Meridian School District
Meridian School District is a public primary and secondary education school district located in Laurel, Washington. The district serves an area north of Bellingham and south of Lynden. The Meridian School District takes its name from the Meridian area. The main highway in the area is Guide Meridian...
serves rural communities between Bellingham and Lynden.
- Mount Baker School District serves communities along the Mount Baker Highway and Nooksack River.
- Nooksack Valley School District
The Nooksack Valley School District in Whatcom County, Washington, U.S.A. is a school district named after the Nooksack River. It has five schools and some 1,870 students as of 2006....
serves Everson, Nooksack, and Sumas.
Numerous private schools operate in Whatcom County including Lynden Christian Schools, Bellingham Christian Schools, and the Waldorf School.
Higher Education
Whatcom County hosts five institutions of higher education. Two universities and two colleges are located in Bellingham. One college is located on the Lummi Nation (Lummi Reservation) west of Bellingham.
Bellingham Technical CollegeBellingham Technical College is located in the Pacific Northwest town of Bellingham in Washington State. Just a mile northwest of downtown Bellingham, the campus resides about north of Seattle and south of Vancouver, British Columbia...
is a public technical and vocational college located in Bellingham.
Trinity Western UniversityTrinity Western University is a private, Christian liberal arts university located in Langley, British Columbia, Canada.The school was founded in 1962 as Trinity Junior College, and now enrolls approximately 4000 students and sits on a campus....
(TWU) is a private, Christian university based in
Langley, BCThe Township of Langley is a district municipality immediately east of the City of Surrey in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It extends south from the Fraser River to the U.S. border, and west of the City of Abbotsford...
about 25 miles north of Bellingham. TWU operates a branch campus in Bellingham offering undergraduate courses and supports TWU's bachelors degree completion program.
Western Washington UniversityWestern Washington University is one of six state-funded, four-year universities of higher education in the U.S. state of Washington. It is located in Bellingham and offers bachelor's and master's degrees.-History:...
(Western) is the third largest public university in Washington. Western offers bachelors and masters degrees through seven colleges. Western enrolls over 15,000 students.
Whatcom Community CollegeWhatcom Community College , known as Whatcom, is a community college located in Bellingham, Washington, the county seat of Whatcom County. Whatcom, a public associate degree-granting college, has course and program offers in the liberal arts, professional/technical, basic education and...
is a public community college offering academic certificate programs and associates degrees.
Northwest Indian CollegeNorthwest Indian College, operated by the Lummi tribe of Native Americans, is located in Bellingham, Washington. Its President is Cheryl Crazy Bull, a member of the Sicangu Lakota from the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota.-History:...
is a college supported by the Lummi Nation and serves the Native American community. Northwest Indian College is located on the Lummi Nation (Lummi Reservation) about five miles west of Bellingham.
Agriculture
Whatcom County is the top producer of
raspberriesThe raspberry or hindberry is the edible fruit of a multitude of plant species in the genus Rubus, most of which are in the subgenus Idaeobatus; the name also applies to these plants themselves...
in the state. According to the
Seattle Times, in 2004 Whatcom County growers produced 46 million pounds of raspberries, 85% of the state's crop. Given that the state itself is the #1 producer of raspberries in the country, with over 87.8% of the crop in 2002, this makes Whatcom County responsible for almost 75% of the nation's raspberry production.
Demographics
As of the
censusA census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 166,814 people, 64,446 households, and 41,116 families residing in the county. The
population densityPopulation density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 79 people per square mile (30/km²). There were 73,893 housing units at an average density of 35 per square mile (13/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.41%
WhiteRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.69%
BlackRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or
African AmericanRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.82%
Native AmericanRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.78%
AsianRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.14%
Pacific IslanderRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.49% from
other racesRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.66% from two or more races. 5.21% of the population were
HispanicRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or
LatinoRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 15.5% were of German, 9.2%
EnglishThe English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, 8.2%
DutchThe Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
, 7.9%
IrishIrish Americans are citizens of the United States who can trace their ancestry to Ireland. A total of 36,278,332 Americans—estimated at 11.9% of the total population—reported Irish ancestry in the 2008 American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau...
, 7.0% Norwegian and 6.6%
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
or American ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 64,446 households out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.20% were
married couplesMarriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.20% were non-families. 25.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the county, the population was spread out with 24.10% under the age of 18, 14.20% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 11.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $40,005, and the median income for a family was $49,325. Males had a median income of $37,589 versus $26,193 for females. The
per capita incomePer capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $20,025. About 7.80% of families and 14.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.20% of those under age 18 and 8.30% of those age 65 or over.
Noteworthy residents
( Also see
List of People from Bellingham, Washington )
- Steve Alvord
Steven Lee Alvord is a former professional American football defensive tackle and defensive end in the National Football League and World League of American Football. In his four-year pro career he played for the St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals of the NFL, and the Barcelona Dragons of the WLAF...
, defensive tackle in the NFL from 1987-88.
- Douglas Spink, known zoophile and convicted cocaine smuggler.
- Ryan Stiles
Ryan Lee Stiles is an American actor, comedian, director, and voice actor whose work is often associated with improvisational comedy. He is best known for his improv and co-production work on the American and British versions of Whose Line Is It Anyway? and the role of Lewis Kiniski on The Drew...
– Emmy AwardAn Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
-nominated actor and comedian.
- Hilary Swank
Hilary Ann Swank is an American actress. Swank's film career began with a small part in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and then a major part in The Next Karate Kid , as Julie Pierce, the first female protégé of sensei Mr. Miyagi...
– multiple Academy Award-winning actress.
Cities
Incorporated cities, in order of population (largest to smallest).
- Bellingham
Bellingham is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Whatcom County in the U.S. state of Washington. It is the twelfth-largest city in the state. Situated on Bellingham Bay, Bellingham is protected by Lummi Island, Portage Island, and the Lummi Peninsula, and opens onto the Strait of Georgia...
- Ferndale
-Demographics:As of the census of 2009, there were 11,681 people, 3,901 households, and 2,303 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,409.1 people per square mile . There were 3,292 housing units at an average density of 529.7 per square mile...
- Lynden
Lynden is the second largest city in Whatcom County. Named and established in 1874 on the site of the Nooksack Indian village Squahalish , the town of Lynden began as a pioneer settlement headed by Holden and Phoebe Judson and is today home to one of the largest Dutch American communities in the...
- Blaine
Blaine is a city in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. The city's northern boundary is the Canadian border. Blaine is the shared home of the Peace Arch international monument...
- Everson
Everson is a city in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. The population was 2,481 at the 2010 census.Everson and the nearby city of Nooksack lie near the foothills of the Cascade mountains in Northwest Washington. Located on the banks of the Nooksack River, the businesses support the...
- Sumas
- Nooksack
Nooksack is a city in Whatcom County, Washington, close to the border with Canada. The population was 1,338 at the 2010 census. This town shares Nooksack Valley School District with Sumas and Everson....
Census-designated places
- Acme
Acme is a census-designated place in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. The population was 246 at the 2010 census.Acme is located in the South Fork Valley between the northern Cascade Mountains and Lake Whatcom...
- Birch Bay
-External links:*...
- Custer
Custer is a census-designated place in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. The population was 366 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Custer is located at ....
- Deming
Deming is a census-designated place in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. Named for its first postmaster, George Deming, its population was 353 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Deming is located at ....
- Geneva
Geneva is a census-designated place in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. The population was 2,321 at the 2010 census.Based on per capita income, Geneva ranks 85th of 522 areas in the state of Washington to be ranked...
- Glacier
Glacier is a census-designated place in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. The population was 211 at the 2010 census.Based on per capita income, Glacier ranks 522nd of 522 areas in the state of Washington to be ranked. Glacier is hoping to change this with the opening of the Glacier...
- Kendall
Kendall is a census-designated place in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. The population was 191 at the 2010 census.-History:Kendall was founded in 1887 by F.B. Hardmen...
- Maple Falls
Maple Falls is a census-designated place in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. The population was 324 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
- Marietta-Alderwood
Marietta-Alderwood is a census-designated place in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,906 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Marietta-Alderwood is located at ....
- Peaceful Valley
Peaceful Valley is a census-designated place in Whatcom County, Washington, United States, near Kendall. The population was 3,324 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Peaceful Valley is located at ....
- Point Roberts
Point Roberts is an unincorporated community in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. It has a post office, with the ZIP code of 98281, whose ZIP Code Tabulation Area had a population of 1,314 at the 2010 census.A geopolitical oddity, Point Roberts is a part of the United States that is not...
- Sudden Valley
Sudden Valley is a census-designated place in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. The population was 6,441 at the 2010 census.Based on per capita income, one of the more reliable measures of affluence, Sudden Valley ranks 97th of 522 areas in the state of Washington to be...
Other communities
- Bakerview
- Blue Canyon
- Chuckanut
- Clearbrook
- Clipper
- Glenhaven
- Laurel
Laurel is an unincorporated community in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. It lies between the cities of Bellingham and Lynden. Today Laurel is included in the Lynden metropolitan statistical area. Laurel is landlocked.-References:...
- Newhalem
Newhalem is a small, unincorporated community in northwestern Washington, USA, located in the western foothills of the North Cascades along the Skagit River. It is located within Whatcom County....
- Pleasant Valley
- Saxon
- Snug Harbor
- Strandell
- Van Buren
- Welcome
- Wickersham
See also
External links