Back to Explorer

ZIP Code 98281

Whatcom, Washington

FIPS 98281

Juniper

ZIP Code 98281 is in the top 13% nationally for FEMA risk score, but in the bottom 8% nationally for price-to-income ratio. It also sits in the 87th percentile nationally for median home value. And it sits in the top 15% nationally for appreciation 1yr %.

Median Home Value

$483,900

Higher than 87% of U.S. ZIP codes

HPI Growth 5yr %

58%

Higher than 84% of U.S. ZIP codes

FEMA Risk Score

27.3

Lower than 87% of U.S. ZIP codes

The basics

Total Population

1,288

Median Age

58.2

Home values & property tax

Ranked against U.S. ZIP codes.

Median Home Value

$483,900

Higher than 87%

Median Property Tax

$3,015

Effective Tax Rate

1%

Cost of living & affordability

Ranked against U.S. ZIP codes.

Price-to-Income Ratio

6.19

Higher than 92%

Median Rent

$1,095

Higher than 66%

Home prices & appreciation

Ranked against U.S. ZIP codes.

HPI Growth 5yr %

58%

Higher than 84%

Appreciation 1yr %

5.5%

Higher than 85%

Pandemic Gain %

42%

Recession Drop %

-16%

Climate & weather

Ranked against U.S. ZIP codes.

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

Ranked against U.S. ZIP codes.

FEMA Risk Score

27.3

Lower than 87%

EAL Flood/Coastal per $1K

0.01

The full report

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

  • People

  • Work & Money

  • Housing

  • Amenities

  • Environment & Risk

ZIP Code 98281: frequently asked questions

What is the median home value in ZIP Code 98281?
The median home value in ZIP Code 98281 is $483,900, higher than 87% 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 1% 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 92% 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 66% 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.
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 87% 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, EPA. Explore the map →