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CITY

Birch Bay

Washington · 10,837 residents · 17.081 sq mi
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The short version

Birch Bay has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $86,854. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 5,876 residents. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $477,200. With a median age of 44.6, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 44.6
US median: 38.9
Average education
32% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 124%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
10,837
+118%since 2000
from 4,961 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
634 / sq mi
+118%since 2000
from 290 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
44.6
+10%since 2000
from 40.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K4K7K9K12K1990201020202024Birch Bay
202411K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$86,854
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $40,040 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$46,034
+117%since 2000
from $21,204 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
57.5%
+32.1 ptssince 2009
from 25.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
9.4%
+0.1 ptssince 2000
from 9.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.423
−3%since 2010
from 0.435 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade16.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade9.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Information8.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance3.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Other services3.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical3.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing3.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration2.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.5%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$477,200
+124%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $117,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,222
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $780 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
82.1%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 76.0% in 2000
17.9% rent
Vacancy rate
22.0%
−24.1 ptssince 2009
from 46.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
26.5%
−11.1 ptssince 2009
from 37.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
57.4%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 61.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.5
+88%since 2000
from 2.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
73
RELATED:See current rent listings in Birch Bay on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic90.2%(4,475)
Black1%(50)
Hispanic / Latino4.5%(221)
Asian1.2%(61)
Other0%
Diversity Score16.4%(812)
2024
White, non-Hispanic77.4%(8,388)
Black2.2%(240)
Hispanic / Latino8.1%(877)
Asian2.1%(228)
Other10.2%(1,104)
Diversity Score47.9%(5,189)
Diversity Score
48
+192%since 2000
from 16 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
32.0%
+13.7 ptssince 2000
from 18.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.5%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 89.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
12.0%
+6.5 ptssince 2000
from 5.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.4 min
+57%since 2000
from 16.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
77.7%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 80.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.2%
−5.5 ptssince 2009
from 11.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.2%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
15.3%
+12.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.6%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.5%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.7%
−4.5 ptssince 2011
from 8.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
54.6%
−6.3 ptssince 2011
from 61.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.6%
+6.6 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
40.4%
−16.8 ptssince 2009
from 57.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.7%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Female
47.3%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Foreign born
9.9%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 12.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
10.9%
−40.7 ptssince 2009
from 51.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.4%
+1.0 ptssince 2012
from 14.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.8%
−87.1 ptssince 2013
from 91.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.9%
+3.0 ptssince 2017
from 85.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
91.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2016
from 91.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
4.8%
+3.1 ptssince 2016
from 1.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Birch Bay to nearby cities

BIRCH BAY VS
Ferndale
Income$87,579+1%
Home value$549,300+15%
Population17,559+62%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BIRCH BAY VS
Lynden
Income$103,233+19%
Home value$596,600+25%
Population16,881+56%
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BIRCH BAY VS
Bellingham
Income$66,755−23%
Home value$627,500+31%
Population96,395+789%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BIRCH BAY VS
Anacortes
Income$91,951+6%
Home value$696,700+46%
Population18,080+67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Birch Bay, Washington?

Birch Bay, Washington has about 10,837 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Birch Bay, Washington?

The typical household in Birch Bay, Washington earns about $86,854 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Birch Bay, Washington expensive?

In Birch Bay, Washington, the median home is worth about $477,200, and the typical rent is about $1,222 a month.

How educated are people in Birch Bay, Washington?

About 32.0% of adults age 25 and over in Birch Bay, Washington hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Birch Bay, Washington?

About 9.4% of people in Birch Bay, Washington live below the federal poverty line.

Has Birch Bay, Washington grown since 1990?

Yes, Birch Bay, Washington has grown since 1990. The population has added about 8,181 residents, a change of about 308 percent over that period.

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

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