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CITY · 2020 ACS

Bellingham

Washington · 91,482 residents · 28.198 sq mi
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The short version

Bellingham has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $56,198. Population has grown 36% since 2000. 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $405,700. At a median age of 33.7, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 27% less than the Washington median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 33.7
US median: 38.8
More educated
45% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 81%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
91,482
+36%since 2000
from 67,171 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,244 / sq mi
+36%since 2000
from 2,382 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
33.7
+11%since 2000
from 30.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
48K61K73K85K98K1990201020202024Bellingham
202493K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$56,198
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,530 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,419
+66%since 2000
from $19,483 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
37.6%
+15.4 ptssince 2009
from 22.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
20.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2000
from 20.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade10.1%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade5.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services3.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.7%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration2.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$405,700
+81%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $148,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,133
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $613 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
44.3%
−3.9 ptssince 2000
from 48.2% in 2000
55.7% rent
Afford Score
7.2
+58%since 2000
from 4.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Bellingham on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic85.9%(57,684)
Black0.9%(622)
Hispanic / Latino4.6%(3,111)
Asian4.2%(2,832)
Other0%
Diversity Score23.7%(15,914)
2020
White, non-Hispanic74.8%(68,442)
Black1.4%(1,253)
Hispanic / Latino9.3%(8,476)
Asian5.9%(5,425)
Other5.5%(5,059)
Diversity Score48.5%(44,330)
Diversity Score
48
+105%since 2000
from 24 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
45.4%
+12.4 ptssince 2000
from 33.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
94.2%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 88.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
18.2%
+7.0 ptssince 2000
from 11.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.0 min
+57%since 2000
from 12.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
68.1%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 67.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
12.1%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.5%
−5.3 ptssince 2011
from 9.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
64.6%
−1.6 ptssince 2011
from 66.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
39.6%
−24.7 ptssince 2009
from 64.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.4%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
Female
51.6%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 52.3% in 2009
Foreign born
9.4%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.9%
−81.4 ptssince 2013
from 86.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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Compare Bellingham to nearby cities

BELLINGHAM VS
Ferndale
Income$87,579+56%
Home value$549,300+35%
Population17,559−82%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BELLINGHAM VS
Lynden
Income$103,233+84%
Home value$596,600+47%
Population16,881−82%
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BELLINGHAM VS
Birch Bay
Income$86,854+55%
Home value$477,200+18%
Population10,837−89%
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BELLINGHAM VS
Anacortes
Income$91,951+64%
Home value$696,700+72%
Population18,080−81%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Bellingham, Washington?

Bellingham, Washington has about 91,482 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Bellingham, Washington?

The typical household in Bellingham, Washington earns about $56,198 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Bellingham, Washington expensive?

In Bellingham, Washington, the median home is worth about $405,700, and the typical rent is about $1,133 a month.

How educated are people in Bellingham, Washington?

About 45.4% of adults age 25 and over in Bellingham, Washington hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Bellingham, Washington?

About 20.0% of people in Bellingham, Washington live below the federal poverty line.

Has Bellingham, Washington grown since 1990?

Yes, Bellingham, Washington has grown since 1990. The population has added about 39,204 residents, a change of about 75 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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