Whatcom County

Whatcom County, Washington

311 Grand Ave Rm 301
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 676-6777
Fax: (360) 676-6693
www.co.whatcom.wa.us

On the northwestern border of WA, bordered on west by Georgia Strait; organized Mar 9, 1854 (prior to statehood) from Island County. Name Origin: From the Lummi Indian word what-coom or whuks-qua-koos-ta-qua, said to mean 'noisy, rumbling water,' referring to Whatcom Falls on Bellingham Bay.

Area (sq mi): 2503.55 (land 2119.53; water 384.02). Pop per sq mi: 86.60.
Pop 2005: 183,471. State rank: 9. Pop change: 2000-20005 10.00%; 1990-2000 30.50%. Pop 2000: 166,814 (White 86.20%; Black or African American 0.70%; Hispanic or Latino 5.20%; Asian 2.80%; Other 8.10%). Foreign born: 9.80%. Median age: 34.00.
Income 2000: per capita $20,025; median household $40,005; Pop below poverty level: 14.20%. *Personal per capita income 2000-2003: $24,241-$26,617.
Unemployment 2004: 5.70%. Change from 2000: -1.10%. Median travel time to work: 20.80 minutes. Working outside county of residence: 9.10%.

Cities with population over 10,000:

Bellingham (72,992)

Lynden (10,456)

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See other counties in Washington.