COMPARING TWO PLACES
Whatcom County vs Island County
PLACE A
Whatcom County, Washington
VS
PLACE B
Island County, Washington
Whatcom County is 176% larger than Island County. Island County earns more, with a median household income $8,767 higher.
WHATCOM COUNTYISLAND COUNTYDIFFERENCE
Total population236,39285,657+176% vs Island County
Population density112411−299
Population growth12.8%10.6%+2.1 pts
Median age38.444.8−6.4
Male49.6%50.3%−0.7 pts
Female50.4%49.7%+0.7 pts
Foreign-born9.9%8.0%+1.9 pts
White, non-Hispanic75.7%75.4%+0.3 pts
Black0.9%2.2%−1.2 pts
Hispanic / Latino10.6%8.7%+1.9 pts
Asian4.4%4.9%−0.5 pts
Other8.4%8.8%−0.4 pts
Median household income$81,784$90,551−$8,767
Per capita income$45,361$47,282−$1,921
Poverty rate12.9%7.7%+5.2 pts
Income inequality (Gini)0.4620.420+0.0
Bachelor's degree or higher39.3%36.6%+2.7 pts
Graduate degree14.9%14.4%+0.5 pts
Unemployment rate4.8%4.3%+0.5 pts
Labor force participation63.1%56.0%+7.1 pts
Median home value$585,800$593,300−$7,500
Median gross rent$1,555$1,662−$107
Owner-occupied63.7%74.7%−11.0 pts
Housing vacancy rate9.2%15.8%−6.7 pts
Rent-burdened households57.3%50.2%+7.2 pts
Average commute21.626.2−4.5
Worked from home14.8%14.1%+0.7 pts
Public transit to work1.8%2.1%−0.3 pts
Uninsured5.8%4.5%+1.3 pts
Population, 1990 – 2025