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CITY

Ferndale

Washington · 17,559 residents (2025 est.) · 7.026 sq mi
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The short version

Ferndale has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $87,579. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 83% since 2000. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $549,300.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 35.1
US median: 38.9
Average education
37% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 121%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
15,999
+83%since 2000
from 8,758 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,277 / sq mi
+83%since 2000
from 1,247 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
35.1
+10%since 2000
from 32.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:17,559 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K8K11K14K17K1990201020202024Ferndale
202416K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$87,579
+32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,375 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$41,409
+159%since 2000
from $15,982 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
56.4%
+20.0 ptssince 2009
from 36.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
12.8%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 13.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.432
+3%since 2010
from 0.418 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade13.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Information11.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade10.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services6.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration4.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food2.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.7%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$549,300
+121%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $136,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,477
+43%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $567 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
67.6%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 65.6% in 2000
32.4% rent
Vacancy rate
5.7%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
32.4%
+6.7 ptssince 2009
from 25.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
55.3%
+20.2 ptssince 2009
from 35.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
6.3
+68%since 2000
from 3.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
68
RELATED:See current rent listings in Ferndale on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic82.2%(7,195)
Black0.7%(63)
Hispanic / Latino9%(790)
Asian2.4%(212)
Other0%
Diversity Score28.9%(2,533)
2024
White, non-Hispanic70%(11,199)
Black0.6%(89)
Hispanic / Latino12.6%(2,008)
Asian8.4%(1,338)
Other8.5%(1,365)
Diversity Score60%(9,599)
Diversity Score
60
+107%since 2000
from 29 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
36.9%
+18.1 ptssince 2000
from 18.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
93.2%
+8.3 ptssince 2000
from 84.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
13.1%
+7.2 ptssince 2000
from 5.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.6 min
+90%since 2000
from 11.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
76.3%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 78.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.7%
−6.1 ptssince 2009
from 10.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.5%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
15.2%
+10.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.7%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
7.1%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.1%
−6.4 ptssince 2011
from 9.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
64.8%
−1.6 ptssince 2011
from 66.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
44.1%
−15.9 ptssince 2009
from 60.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.3%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Female
51.7%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Foreign born
15.9%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 15.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.5%
−47.8 ptssince 2009
from 53.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.7%
−0.3 ptssince 2012
from 14.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.0%
−79.6 ptssince 2013
from 87.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
94.1%
+11.6 ptssince 2017
from 82.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
79.9%
−2.5 ptssince 2016
from 82.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
6.0%
−2.4 ptssince 2016
from 8.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Ferndale to nearby cities

FERNDALE VS
Birch Bay
Income$86,854−1%
Home value$477,200−13%
Population10,837−38%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FERNDALE VS
Bellingham
Income$66,755−24%
Home value$627,500+14%
Population96,395+449%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FERNDALE VS
Lynden
Income$103,233+18%
Home value$596,600+9%
Population16,881−4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FERNDALE VS
Anacortes
Income$91,951+5%
Home value$696,700+27%
Population18,080+3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Ferndale, Washington?

Ferndale, Washington has about 15,999 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Ferndale, Washington?

The typical household in Ferndale, Washington earns about $87,579 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Ferndale, Washington expensive?

In Ferndale, Washington, the median home is worth about $549,300, and the typical rent is about $1,477 a month.

How educated are people in Ferndale, Washington?

About 36.9% of adults age 25 and over in Ferndale, Washington hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Ferndale, Washington?

About 12.8% of people in Ferndale, Washington live below the federal poverty line.

Has Ferndale, Washington grown since 1990?

Yes, Ferndale, Washington has grown since 1990. The population has added about 10,601 residents, a change of about 196 percent over that period.

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

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