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ZIP Code 98281

Whatcom, Washington

ZCTA 98281

Juniper

ZIP Code 98281 is in the lowest 10% nationally for FEMA risk score. It also sits in the highest 9% nationally for home price against income. And it sits in the highest 22% nationally for typical home value.

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

$538,070

Higher than 78% of U.S. ZIP codes
Home Price Growth, Past Five Years

58%

Higher than 65% of U.S. ZIP codes
FEMA Risk Score0–100; 0 = lowest modelled risk, 100 = highest, vs places of the same type

27.3

Lower than 90% of U.S. ZIP codes

The boundary of ZIP Code 98281, in Whatcom, Washington.

The basics

Total Population

1,288

Median Age

58.2

Population Density

263.65

Home values & property tax

Median Property Tax

$3,015

Property Tax Rateyearly tax as a share of home value

0.62%

Cost of living & affordability

Home Price vs Incomeyears of income to buy a typical home

6.19×

Higher than 91% of U.S. ZIP codes
Median Income

$78,125

Higher than 59% of U.S. ZIP codes
Median Rent

$1,095

Higher than 56% of U.S. ZIP codes

Home prices & appreciation

Home Price Growth, Past Year

5.5%

Higher than 66% of U.S. ZIP codes
Pandemic Price Run-Up2019–20 low → 2022–23 peak

42%

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

16%

Climate & weather

Summer Avg High (°F)

71.3

Winter Avg Low (°F)

34.2

Avg Temperature (°F)

50.9

Hot Days/yr (>90°F)

0

Freezing Days/yr (<32°F)

51.7

Annual Precipitation (in)

41.8

Annual Snowfall (in)

9.3

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

ZIP Code 98281: frequently asked questions

What is the typical home value in ZIP Code 98281?
The estimated median home value in ZIP Code 98281 today is $538,070, higher than 78% of U.S. ZIP codes.
How much is property tax in ZIP Code 98281?
The median annual property tax in ZIP Code 98281 is $3,015, an effective rate of 0.62% of home value.
Is ZIP Code 98281 expensive to live in?
Homes in ZIP Code 98281 cost about 6.19× the median household income, higher than 91% of U.S. ZIP codes.
What is the average rent in ZIP Code 98281?
The median gross rent in ZIP Code 98281 is $1,095 a month, higher than 56% of U.S. ZIP codes.
How much have home prices grown in ZIP Code 98281?
Home prices in ZIP Code 98281 have moved 58% over the past five years (5.5% in the past year), per the FHFA House Price Index.
How many people live in ZIP Code 98281?
ZIP Code 98281 has a population of 1,288, about 263.65 people per square mile, per the U.S. Census American Community Survey. The median age is 58.2.
What is the weather like in ZIP Code 98281?
ZIP Code 98281 averages 50.9°F year-round, summer highs near 71.3°F, winter lows around 34.2°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It sees about 9.3 inches of snow a year.
Is ZIP Code 98281 at risk of flooding or natural disasters?
ZIP Code 98281's FEMA National Risk Index score is 27.3 (lower than 90% of U.S. ZIP codes). Its greatest modeled natural hazard is earthquake. 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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