You are here: Home > Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Bellingham and Whatcom County
Want to ask additional questions? Contact me.
How many people live in Whatcom County?
Approximately 170,000. Of this total, Bellingham is the largest city with about 80,000 people. Sudden Valley, a planned community with its own Lake Whatcom marina and golf course, is part of Bellingham.
Are there other cities in Whatcom County besides Bellingham?
Yes. Ferndale lies to the north about 10 miles. Blaine is near the Canadian border approximately 12 miles north of Ferndale. Lynden lies to the east and north of Bellingham, again about 12 miles. Other smaller burgs include Everson, Nooksack, Deming, Sumas, Maple Falls, and Glacier. These last two are very near Mt. Baker.
What is Mt. Baker and how tall is it? Mt. Baker is a "sleeping" volcano. It is 10,750 feet high. It is one of the many volcanos that make up the Pacific Rim "ring of fire." Its topmost area is covered by glaciers year-round. While snoozing, it occasionally reminds us of its potential for activity when steam is seen emitting from the caves near its summit or when seismologic readings detect earthquakes deep in the earth's crust. Mt. Baker is a mecca for skiers (racing and cross-country) and snowboarders. The annual "Ski to Sea" race on Memorial Day begins on Mt. Baker.
Have you been watching the news about Mt. St. Helens? This is one ACTIVE volcano. However, even this grand old lady is unlikely to affect our weather in Whatcom County. Why? Because the prevailing winds tend to be from west to east and we are north of it. Our local volcano, and the larger Mt. Rainier just north of Mt. St. Helens, are considered dormant, even though both have active steam caves at their respective summits. Think of St. Helens as a newsworthy place to visit between "burps" or minor eruptions!
What educational resources are available?
Whatcom County is home to nationally known Western Washington University, Whatcom Community College, Bellingham Technical School, Northwest Indian College, WSU Cooperative Extension Whatcom County (all of which you can connect via the web by clicking on City of Bellingham Education website, and outstanding public school systems for Bellingham, Ferndale, Blaine, Lynden, Nooksack, and Mt. Baker, all of which are available online.
I've heard it rains a lot in Washington state. How true is that? If you are on the Olympic Peninsula in the rain forest, it is VERY true! If you are on the east slopes of the Cascade mountain range, you will see flora that suggests very little rainfall--especially in the warmer months of the year and snow in the wintertime!
Here in Bellingham, we get our share of rain, but it tends not to stay gray and overcast like Seattle and Everett to the south, large cities in the "convergence zone." Our wet season tends to occur in the winter months of November through February. Some years are drier than others; for example, in 2002, we received very little rain until the end of December, and with reservoirs low, we were quite happy to see some of what the natives call "liquid sunshine."
Our summers (June through September) tend to be quite dry. The months in between winter and summer can get moisture in varying amounts. Keep in mind as well that our rain is not at all like the downpours that drench one to the skin in the midwestern or southern states. One could characterize our rain as more misty or light rain. It doesn't stop our outdoor activities; few people use umbrellas. We just pop on light rain gear and continue whatever we were planning to do!
Where is Lake Whatcom?
Lake Whatcom is the water source for the city of Bellingham and is located to the east and a bit north of the city. It also serves as a playground for boaters, kayakers, canoeists, swimmers, paddle boat enthusiasts, water skiers, and little people who like to make sand castles on the shore. Many beautiful homes rim the lake, and public access is also possible via Bloedel Donovan Park, which also encompasses ball fields for sportsters of all ages.
I've heard that everyone moving to or already living in Whatcom County is retired. Is that true? Not exactly. The percentage of retired persons in the county has not changed in the past several years. However, the age group that has grown most rapidly are 32-45 year olds. Given the number of new schools added in the past 5 years, we are confident that this age group is most likely to include singles and married couples with or without children.
What is the average price of homes in Whatcom County? Median home prices have climbed rapidly since 2001 and in 2006 are slowing their rate of increase. In Bellingham, median home prices are hovering around $312,000. However, some neighborhoods include homes well above that number, and still other areas include properties that can be had for far less. In spite of the obvious increase in prices, our area is still considered a bargain compared with areas further south.
For out-of-towners, the biggest difficulty with the Whatcom County market between 2002-2005 was the short time most homes were on the market. For the first half of 2003 in Bellingham, for example, properties were averaging only 11 days (!) on the market. More recently, homes are averaging at least 60 days on the market. This means that buyers who are not yet here permanently are in a better position to find a home than was the case in previous years.
Income averages in Bellingham/Whatcom County seem lower than I would have expected, given the price of homes. That is because fully 20% of all the people living in Bellingham/Whatcom County are students! They are either in very low-level jobs, or not working at all! Their numbers pull down the average income levels that are reported. Another factor is the number of persons who are in business for themselves and thus are not counted when salaries are noted.
How can I stay safe when driving in an unfamiliar area? Our county has far less crime than many areas of the country; nevertheless, it is always wise to be pro-active when considering one's personal safety. If you carry a cell phone when driving, dial 911 to connect to a local police dispatcher who can alert a squad car that you need help. If you are approached or followed by an unmarked police car with or without the lights flashing, that person may not be a police officer! Do NOT stop. Instead, dial 911 and tell the dispatcher you are being followed by an unmarked police car and continue driving to a place where there are lights and people. The dispatcher will send real police officers to your aid.
If you do not routinely carry a cell phone and you are followed by someone, drive to the nearest fast food restaurant, gas station, or food store--any place with a well-lighted parking area and groups of people. Use your car alarm (if you have one) to alert others to your need for help and make lots of noise. Criminals dislike crowds and attention-getting noise.
Have you a question about Bellingham/Whatcom County that I have not answered here?
Contact me, and I may add your question and its answer to this list.
Search all Bellingham/Whatcom County Listings
Printable version
