Population236,392 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
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Whatcom County, WashingtonExplore local resources and participating businesses in Whatcom County, Washington.
Whatcom County at a Glance
Population236,392 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatBellingham
Largest City (2026)Bellingham (2026 OFM)
Year Organized1854 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP Code Examples98225, 98226, 98230, 98264
Total Area, Including Water2,504.874 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-5, SR 542, SR 539
Local Area Codes360 / 564
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Whatcom County
Whatcom County was established from part of Island County in 1854. Lumber milling and coal activity shaped communities around Bellingham Bay, while the region's Indigenous histories long preceded those industries and county government. Later economic changes altered the fortunes of individual settlements. The county adopted a home-rule charter in 1978, adding another institutional milestone. These episodes describe different periods of local life, so a fuller account connects civic development with working communities without treating nineteenth-century industry as the beginning of the region.
Begin with a particular bay community or industrial-history topic, then use local interpretation to connect it with the wider county. Seek Tribal sources for the histories and present perspectives of Indigenous communities. A waterfront outing should use a specific public access point rather than a broad place name. Comparing a historical collection with the surrounding landscape can show what changed after earlier mills or mines ceased operating.
What Shapes Us
Place And Character
County institutions and later preservation provide different ways to explore how local places developed within a region whose boundaries and economy changed over time.
The Local Story
Whatcom County was established from part of Island County in 1854. Lumber milling and coal activity shaped communities around Bellingham Bay, while the region's Indigenous histories long preceded those industries and county government.
Explore The County
Begin with a particular bay community or industrial-history topic, then use local interpretation to connect it with the wider county.
Discover the communities and histories connected by the bay.
A Closer Look
Whatcom County
Places and perspectives from Whatcom County
WhatcomTalk · Local
A Look at Whatcom County’s Semi-Pro Football History
Each autumn, the pageantry and athleticism of high school football take center stage on Whatcom County’s grass and…
Read the Story Oct 22, 2026 • Read at sourceAround Whatcom County
Local coverage first, followed by Washington and national updates when needed.
WhatcomTalk · Local
A Look at Whatcom County’s Semi-Pro Football History
Each autumn, the pageantry and athleticism of high school football take center stage on Whatcom County’s grass and…
Oct 22, 2026 • Read at source
WhatcomTalk · Local
Brigadoon Service Dogs Builds Life-Changing Partnerships, One Dog at a Time
Submitted by First Fed There are countless ways dogs enrich our lives, and for service dogs, that connection…
Oct 16, 2026 • Read at source
WhatcomTalk · Local
Paper Whale Announces New Downtown Home at the Public Market
Submitted by Paper Whale Paper Whale, a Bellingham-based nonprofit placemaking agency, announced that it will establish a new…
Oct 7, 2026 • Read at source
WhatcomTalk · Local
‘It’s a Matter of Pride’ Ferndale High School Football Carries on a Tradition
The longtime motto of Ferndale High School football is “It’s a Matter of Pride,” a phrase that carries…
Oct 6, 2026 • Read at source
WhatcomTalk · Local
A Gift for World Homeless Day: PeaceHealth Deepens Its Commitment to The Way Station
Submitted by Unity Care NW Almost two years ago, The Way Station Health & Hygiene Center opened with…
Oct 5, 2026 • Read at source
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Whatcom County government — County offices and public services.
Washington state services — State agencies and programs.
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Alderwood Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 3400 Hollywood Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225. 360-676-6404.
Blaine Elementary School – Elementary; grades 03-05. 836 MITCHELL AVE, BLAINE, WA 98230. 360-332-5213.
North Bell Learning Center – Elementary; grades PK-KG. 5275 Northwest Drive, Bellingham, WA 98226. 360-383-9289.
Intergenerational High School – High; grades 09-12. 1 Bellis Fair Parkway, # 104, Bellingham, WA 98226. 360-927-1119.
Lummi High School – High; grades 09-12. 2334 Lummi View Drive, Bellingham, WA 98226. 360-758-4300.
Lummi Nation Tribal School – Elementary; grades KG-08. 2334 Lummi View Drive, Bellingham, WA 98226. 360-758-4300.
Fisher Elementary School – Elementary; grades KG-05. 501 N 14TH ST, LYNDEN, WA 98264. 360-354-4291.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Peacehealth St Joseph Medical Center – Acute Care Hospitals. 2901 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham, WA 98225. 360-734-5400.
Public Safety
For an emergency, call 911. Use the department website for non-emergency contact information.
Whatcom County sheriff — Law enforcement information and departmental contacts.
Emergency Services
Call 911 for an immediate emergency.
Emergency management — Preparedness resources and local alerts.
National Weather Service — Forecasts and weather warnings; search by location.
Ready.gov — Household emergency planning.
State Parks
Larrabee State Park — Park information, maps and current notices.
Find Washington state parks — Search additional parks and activities.
Discover Pass — Parking pass information.
Trails
Whatcom County parks and trails — Local recreation destinations and maps.
Larrabee State Park maps and visitor information — Review the park map and current trail notices before a visit.
Utilities
Puget Sound Energy — Service, billing and outage information. Confirm whether this provider serves your address.
County services directory — Find local water, sewer and waste service information.
Electricity, gas, water, sewer and waste services can have different providers. Check service boundaries for the specific property.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Central Library – 210 Central Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225. 360-778-7323.
Blaine Library – 610 3Rd Street, Blaine, WA 98230. 360-305-3637.
Deming Library – 5044 Mt. Baker Highway, Deming, WA 98244. 360-592-2422.
Everson Library – 104 Kirsch Drive, Everson, WA 98247. 360-966-5100.
Ferndale Library – 2125 Main Street, Ferndale, WA 98226. 360-384-3647.
Island Library – 2144 South Nugent Road, Lummi Island, WA 98262. 360-758-7145.
Lynden Library – 216 4Th Street, Lynden, WA 98264. 360-354-4883.
Courts
Washington Courts directory — Choose Whatcom County to find superior, district, municipal and juvenile courts.
DMV
Washington — Renew or replace a driver license
Washington — Find a driver licensing office
Washington — Renew or replace vehicle tabs
Transportation
Whatcom Transportation Authority — Routes, schedules, rider information and service-area details.
WSDOT maps — State highway maps and travel planning.
Washington State Ferries — Routes, sailing schedules and service notices.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Whatcom County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Whatcom County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
236,392 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
2,504.874 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with these official Washington resources: Renew or replace a driver license; Find a driver licensing office; Renew or replace vehicle tabs. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
For emergencies, call 911.
Whatcom County sheriff — Use the official department page for non-emergency contacts and services.
Whatcom County government — Find county departments, public meetings and services.
Search USAJOBS for federal positions and the Apprenticeship Finder for apprenticeship opportunities, using location filters to narrow the results. USAGov job-training guidance points to training programs and state resources. Check each listing for current availability, eligibility and application instructions; a search result does not guarantee an opening in the county.
Whatcom County was established from part of Island County in 1854. Lumber milling and coal activity shaped communities around Bellingham Bay, while the region's Indigenous histories long preceded those industries and county government. Later economic changes altered the fortunes of individual settlements. The county adopted a home-rule charter in 1978, adding another institutional milestone. These episodes describe different periods of local life, so a fuller account connects civic development with working communities without treating nineteenth-century industry as the beginning of the region.
Begin with a particular bay community or industrial-history topic, then use local interpretation to connect it with the wider county. Seek Tribal sources for the histories and present perspectives of Indigenous communities. A waterfront outing should use a specific public access point rather than a broad place name. Comparing a historical collection with the surrounding landscape can show what changed after earlier mills or mines ceased operating.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 2,107.918 square miles of land and 396.956 square miles of water in Whatcom County. The county’s total area includes both. These are geographic measurements for that Census vintage, not a measurement of current water levels or public recreation access.
In the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate series, Whatcom County had an estimated 227,452 residents on July 1, 2020, and 236,392 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population increased by 8,940 residents, or about 3.9%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.
Bellingham is the county seat listed for Whatcom County by the National Association of Counties. For an office visit, confirm the specific department’s address before traveling. NACo county profile.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make Time to ExploreBrowse local places by the kind of day you have in mind.
Explore Whatcom County
Featured local businesses
Parks and outdoor places
Larrabee State Park — Plan a visit using the official park information.
Whatcom County parks and trails
Getting around
A New Stop, a Local ConnectionExplore the Listings Below