Whatcom County

As of the 2020 Census, Whatcom County, WA, had a population of approximately 226,463. The racial composition was 79.6% White, 9.0% Hispanic or Latino, 5.0% Asian, 3.4% Native American, 1.3% Black, and 5.8% identifying as two or more races. The median household income was around $65,000, and about 14% of the population was below the poverty line. The county's age distribution included 20.2% under 18, 14.8% aged 18-24, 23.5% aged 25-44, 26.1% aged 45-64, and 15.4% aged 65 and older.

As of 2023, Whatcom County, WA has a median home price of approximately $550,000, reflecting a significant increase in recent years. The county's housing market remains competitive, with an average of 20 days on the market for homes. Rental prices average around $1,500 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. The homeownership rate stands at 63%, with a low vacancy rate of about 3%. Property taxes in Whatcom County average around 0.93% of the property's assessed value. The housing stock primarily consists of single-family homes, with a growing number of multi-family units.

For the 2023 Whatcom County, WA elections, key positions include Executive, Council, and various city offices.

Executive race:

• Satpal Sidhu (incumbent)
• Barry Buchanan

County Council District 1:

• Christopher Graham
• Hannah Stone

County Council District 4:

• Kathy Kershner (incumbent)
• Natalie McClendon

Numerical data from the 2021 turnout shows active voter participation:

• Total registered voters: 148,000+
• Total ballots counted: 76,000+
• Voter turnout: 51.3%

These races and turnout figures highlight significant local civic engagement, reflecting a robust democratic process.

As of 2023, in Whatcom County, WA, 93.2% of residents aged 25 and older have at least a high school diploma, and 36.9% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. This shows a relatively well-educated population compared to the national and state averages. Nationally, about 89.7% of adults have completed high school and 35% have earned a bachelor’s degree. In Washington state overall, 91.8% are high school graduates and 36.7% have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Thus, Whatcom County is slightly above both national and state averages for high school education and closely aligned in terms of higher education attainment.

Whatcom County, WA, has a diverse employment landscape. As of recent data, the county's unemployment rate stands at approximately 4.0%. The labor force consists of around 120,000 individuals. Key industries include:

1. Manufacturing: Roughly 12% of the workforce, higher than the national average of 8.5%.
2. Education and Health Services: Around 21%, comparable to the state average but above the national average of 16%.
3. Retail Trade: Approximately 11%, similar to both state and national figures.
4. Agriculture: Higher prevalence locally, with 3%, above the national average of 1.3%.
5. Tourism and Hospitality: Constituting about 10%, slightly above the national average of 8%.

Manufacturing and Agriculture are notably more significant in Whatcom County compared to national averages, reflecting the county's robust local economic activities.

As of recent data, the average household income in Whatcom County, WA stands at approximately $71,000 per year. In comparison, the median household income in the United States is around $68,700 per year, while the Washington state average is higher at approximately $82,000 per year. This positions Whatcom County below the state average but slightly above the national average.

This comparison reveals that Whatcom County residents earn more on average than the typical American household but less than the average household in Washington state.

As of the most recent data, Whatcom County, WA has a mixed crime rate landscape. The overall crime rate stands at approximately 28.4 crimes per 1,000 residents. The violent crime rate is lower, at about 3.1 per 1,000 residents, whereas property crimes are more prevalent, with a rate of 25.3 per 1,000 residents.

Crime Statistics for Whatcom County, WA

Note that these figures are subject to change and should be cross-referenced with up-to-date local crime data for accuracy.