Whatcom County, Washington
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Whatcom County is a county located in the state of Washington. As of 2000, the population is 166,814. The county seat is at Bellingham. It is named after Chief Whatcom of the Nooksack tribe of Native Americans.
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Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 6,484 km² (2,504 mi²). 5,490 km² (2,120 mi²) of it is land and 995 km² (384 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 15.34% water.
Geographic features
Major highways
Adjacent counties
- Okanogan County, Washington - east
- Skagit County, Washington - south
- San Juan County, Washington - southwest
Whatcom County also shares a border with British Columbia, Canada. Within British Columbia Whatcom County adjoins two administrative units -- Greater Vancouver Regional District and Fraser Valley Regional District.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 166,814 people, 64,446 households, and 41,116 families residing in the county. The population density is 30/km² (79/mi²). There are 73,893 housing units at an average density of 13/km² (35/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 88.41% White, 0.69% Black or African American, 2.82% Native American, 2.78% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 2.49% from other races, and 2.66% from two or more races. 5.21% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 64,446 households out of which 30.40% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.20% are married couples living together, 8.80% have a female householder with no husband present, and 36.20% are non-families. 25.60% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.40% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.51 and the average family size is 3.03.
In the county, the population is spread out with 24.10% under the age of 18, 14.20% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 11.60% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $40,005, and the median income for a family is $49,325. Males have a median income of $37,589 versus $26,193 for females. The per capita income for the county is $20,025. 14.20% of the population and 7.80% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 14.20% of those under the age of 18 and 8.30% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Cities and towns
- Acme
- Bellingham -- http://www.cob.org -- http://www.bellingham.net/
- Birch Bay -- http://www.birchbay.net/
- Blaine -- http://www.ci.blaine.wa.us/ -- http://www.blaine.net/
- Custer
- Deming
- Everson -- http://www.eversonnooksackchamber.org/eversonhome.htm
- Ferndale -- http://www.ci.ferndale.wa.us/
- Geneva
- Glacier
- Kendall
- Lynden -- http://www.lyndenwa.org/ -- http://www.lynden.net/
- Maple Falls
- Marietta-Alderwood
- Nooksack -- http://www.cityofnooksack.com/
- Peaceful Valley
- Point Roberts -- http://www.pointrobertsusa.com/ -- http://www.pointrobertschamber.com/
- Point Roberts is a geographic oddity; even though it is part of the United States, the only way to reach it without passing over water is by going through Canada.
- Sudden Valley
- Sumas -- http://cityofsumas.homestead.com/
External link
- Whatcom County official website (http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us)