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Whatcom County, Washington

FIPS 53073

Juniper

Whatcom County is in the highest 9% nationally for FEMA risk score. It also sits in the highest 2% nationally for home price against income. And it sits in the highest 3% nationally for typical home value.

Typical Home Valuemedian home value (ACS), re-priced to today on the FHFA index

$649,120

Higher than 97% of U.S. counties
Home Price Growth, Past Five Years

50%

Lower than 60% of U.S. counties
FEMA Risk Score0–100; 0 = lowest modelled risk, 100 = highest, vs places of the same type

91

Higher than 91% of U.S. counties

The boundary of Whatcom County.

The basics

Total Population

230,503

Median Age

38.4

Population Density

109.35

Home values & property tax

Median Property Tax

$4,087

Property Tax Rateyearly tax as a share of home value

0.7%

Cost of living & affordability

Home Price vs Incomeyears of income to buy a typical home

7.16×

Higher than 98% of U.S. counties
Median Income

$81,784

Higher than 84% of U.S. counties
Median Rent

$1,555

Higher than 93% of U.S. counties

Home prices & appreciation

Home Price Growth, Past Year

2.1%

Lower than 68% of U.S. counties
Pandemic Price Run-Up2019–20 low → 2022–23 peak

43%

2008 Crash: Peak-to-Trough Drophow far prices fell, 2007 → 2011

16%

Climate & weather

Summer Avg High (°F)

72.6

Winter Avg Low (°F)

34.1

Avg Temperature (°F)

51.2

Hot Days/yr (>90°F)

0.7

Freezing Days/yr (<32°F)

51.7

Annual Precipitation (in)

43.7

Annual Snowfall (in)

6.1

Flood & disaster risk

Coastal Flood Loss per $1,000

$0.01

The full report

Six pillars — each with percentile benchmarks, 16-year trends, and per-metric detail.

  • People

  • Work & Money

  • Housing

  • Amenities

  • Climate

  • Environment & Risk

Whatcom County: frequently asked questions

What is the typical home value in Whatcom County?
The estimated median home value in Whatcom County today is $649,120, higher than 97% of U.S. counties.
How much is property tax in Whatcom County?
The median annual property tax in Whatcom County is $4,087, an effective rate of 0.7% of home value.
Is Whatcom County expensive to live in?
Homes in Whatcom County cost about 7.16× the median household income, higher than 98% of U.S. counties.
What is the average rent in Whatcom County?
The median gross rent in Whatcom County is $1,555 a month, higher than 93% of U.S. counties.
How much have home prices grown in Whatcom County?
Home prices in Whatcom County have moved 50% over the past five years (2.1% in the past year), per the FHFA House Price Index.
How many people live in Whatcom County?
Whatcom County has a population of 230,503, about 109.35 people per square mile, per the U.S. Census American Community Survey. The median age is 38.4.
What is the weather like in Whatcom County?
Whatcom County averages 51.2°F year-round, summer highs near 72.6°F, winter lows around 34.1°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It sees about 6.1 inches of snow a year.
Is Whatcom County at risk of flooding or natural disasters?
Whatcom County's FEMA National Risk Index score is 91 (higher than 91% of U.S. counties). Its greatest modeled natural hazard is inland flooding. Expected annual loss from flooding is $0.01 per $1,000 of building value.

Sources: U.S. Census ACS, FEMA National Risk Index, FHFA House Price Index, OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), EPA. Explore the map →

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