Editing Sumas, Washington

{{About|the city in Washington state|the former municipality in British Columbia and other uses|Sumas (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = Sumas, Washington
| settlement_type          = [[City]]
| image_skyline            = SumasSign.JPG
| imagesize                = 
| image_caption            = The city's welcome sign, pictured in 2009
| image_map                = Whatcom_County_Washington_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Sumas_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize                  = 250px
| map_caption              = Location of Sumas, Washington
| pushpin_map              = Washington
| pushpin_label            = Sumas
| pushpin_label_position   = bottom
<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = United States
| subdivision_type1        = State
| subdivision_name1        = [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Washington|County]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Whatcom County, Washington|Whatcom]]
<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = 
| leader_title             = 
| leader_name              = 
| established_title        = 
| established_date         = 
<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web |title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_53.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=March 20, 2024}}</ref>
| area_total_km2           = 3.81
| area_land_km2            = 3.80
| area_water_km2           = 0.01
| area_total_sq_mi         = 1.47
| area_land_sq_mi          = 1.47
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?g=160XX00US5368330 |title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2020 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Sumas city, Washington |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=March 20, 2024}}</ref>
| population_total         = 1583
| population_density_km2   = 416.6
| population_density_sq_mi = 1079.1
<!-- General information -->
| timezone                 = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific (PST)]]
| utc_offset               = −8
| timezone_DST             = PDT
| utc_offset_DST           = −7
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft             = 39
| coordinates              = {{coord|48|59|54|N|122|16|12|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
| postal_code_type       = [[ZIP Code]]
| postal_code            = 98295
| area_code              = [[Area code 360|360]]
| area_code_type         = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| blank_name             = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info             = 53-68330
| blank1_name            = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info            = 2412000<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2412000}}</ref>
| website                = {{URL|http://cityofsumas.com}}
| footnotes              = 
}}

'''Sumas''' ({{respell|SOO|mas}}) is a city in [[Whatcom County, Washington]], United States. It had a population of 1,583 as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]]. Sumas is located adjacent to the [[Canada–United States border|Canada–U.S. border]] and borders the city of [[Abbotsford, British Columbia]]. The [[Sumas–Huntingdon Border Crossing|Sumas–Huntingdon port of entry]] at the north end of [[Washington State Route 9|State Route 9]] operates 24 hours a day. Sumas shares [[Nooksack Valley School District]] with the cities of [[Nooksack, Washington|Nooksack]] and [[Everson, Washington|Everson]]. It is the northernmost settlement on Washington State Route 9.

==History==
The area was home to the [[Nooksack Indians]] in the millennia prior to the arrival of the first permanent settler Robert Johnson in 1872.  
<ref name = "HistoryLink">{{cite web |last=Dougherty |first=Phil |date=November 5, 2009 |title=Sumas — Thumbnail History |url=https://www.historylink.org/file/9204 |work=[[HistoryLink]] |accessdate=August 21, 2022}}</ref> It was called "Sumas" meaning "land without trees"<ref name = "HistoryLink"/> or "big flat opening."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bcafn.ca/first-nations-bc/lower-mainland-southwest/sumas-first-nation |title=Sumas First Nation |publisher=British Columbia Assembly of First Nations |accessdate=August 22, 2022}}</ref>  It is derived from a [[Cowichan Tribes|Cowichan tribe]] who also resided in the region.<ref name="OriginNames">{{cite book |last=Meany |first=Edmond S. |title=Origin of Washington geographic names |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015027074981;view=1up;seq=312 |year=1923 |publisher=University of Washington Press |location=Seattle |page=296 |via=[[HathiTrust]]}}</ref><ref name = "HistoryLink"/>

Originally called "Sumas City,"<ref name = "HistoryLink"/> the town was officially incorporated on June 18, 1891.<ref name = "HistoryLink"/><ref name="Incorporation">{{cite web |url=http://www.mrsc.org/library/inctable.aspx |title=Cities and Towns, State of Washington Dates of Incorporation, Disincorporation, and Changes of Classification |publisher=[[Municipal Research and Services Center]] |access-date=February 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131126032207/http://www.mrsc.org/library/inctable.aspx |archive-date=November 26, 2013}}</ref> A post office with that name has been in operation since 1897.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?state=WA |title=Post Offices |publisher=Jim Forte Postal History | access-date=25 August 2016}}</ref>

The town was a railroad hub and briefly supported the [[Mount Baker Gold Rush]],<ref name = "HistoryLink"/> with some gold mining operations still ongoing in the area such as at [[Boundary Red Mountain Mine|Lone Jack Mine]].  It was also known for a large [[rodeo]] in the early 20th Century, the "Sumas Roundup."<ref name = "HistoryLink"/>

The area around Sumas drains into the [[Fraser River]] in Canada, in a broad floodplain. Floods from the [[Nooksack River|Nooksack]] and [[Fraser River|Fraser]] rivers have been recorded ever since the area was settled.<ref name = "HistoryLink"/><ref name = "NooksackFloods">{{cite web |title=Whatcom County, Lower Nooksack River Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan, Nooksack River Flood History |url=https://www.whatcomcounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/25543/Nooksack-River-Flood-History?bidId= |pages=1, 8 |date=June 1995 |publisher=KCM, Inc. |location=Seattle, Washington |accessdate=August 21, 2022}}</ref>  Although not the largest flood to have occurred prior to 1990, the November 10 flood received notoriety as it caused millions of dollars in damage.<ref name = "HistoryLink"/><ref name = "NooksackFloods"/>

On November 15, 2021, another [[November 2021 Pacific Northwest floods|regional flood event]] resulted in catastrophic flooding in Sumas. Approximately 85 percent of homes in the city were damaged and hundreds of residents were rescued after a partial evacuation.<ref>{{cite news |last=Clarridge |first=Christine |date=November 17, 2021 |title=Sumas residents turn to repairs as officials monitor flooding in Canada |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/weather/sumas-residents-turn-to-repairs-as-as-officials-monitor-flooding-in-canada/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=November 18, 2021}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|1.48|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all of it land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-12-19|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=2012-01-25}}</ref>

Because of the limits of technology when the border with Canada was surveyed, the border west of the [[Cascade Range]] lies above the [[49th parallel north|49th parallel]]; the most extreme offset (three city blocks) is at Sumas, which is thus the northernmost incorporated place in the contiguous United States.<ref>{{cite news |last=Judd |first=Ron |date=February 13, 2015 |title=Canada, Seattle's neighbor to the north? Nope, better check your map |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/pacificnw/2025567375_0215northernexposurexml.html |work=[[The Seattle Times]] |access-date=June 21, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hopper |first=Tristin |date=February 26, 2017 |title=The town that should be Canadian: How a surveying error put Sumas, Washington on B.C. soil |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-town-that-should-be-canadian-how-a-surveying-error-put-sumas-washington-on-b-c-soil/wcm/95903a11-0c1b-45cb-84db-5893f33d7ef0 |work=[[National Post]] |access-date=June 21, 2017}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=left
|1900= 319
|1910= 902
|1920= 854
|1930= 647
|1940= 650
|1950= 658
|1960= 629
|1970= 722
|1980= 712
|1990= 744
|2000= 960
|2010= 1307
|2020= 1583
|estyear= 
|estimate= 
|estref= 
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 21, 2014}}</ref>
}}

[[File:Border crossing at Sumas Washington.JPG|thumb|upright|Sumas border crossing]]

===2010 census===
At the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]],<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-12-19}}</ref> there were 1,307 people, 482 households and 329 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|883.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 531 housing units at an average density of {{convert|358.8|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 83.7% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.5% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 2.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.5% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 6.6% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 4.2% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 15.8% of the population.

There were 482 households, of which 39.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.7% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.27.

The median age in the city was 30.6 years. 28.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.2% were from 25 to 44; 21.3% were from 45 to 64; and 10.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.2% male and 50.8% female.

===2000 census===
At the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 960 people, 346 households and 236 families living in the city. The population density was 687.5 per square mile (264.8/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 401 housing units at an average density of 287.2 per square mile (110.6/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the city was 86.15% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 3.23% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 4.17% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 4.79% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.67% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 7.81% of the population.

There were 346 households, of which 39.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.42.

35.0% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.0 males.

The [[median household income]] was $29,297 and the median family income was $36,250. Males had a median income of $30,227 compared with $20,268 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $13,497. About 13.9% of families and 18.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 23.1% of those under age 18 and 14.9% of those age 65 or over.

==Notable residents==

* [[Gale Bishop]], professional basketball player<ref>{{cite news |last=Allende |first=Mike |date=December 27, 2003 |title=Local basketball legend dies |page=A1 |work=The Bellingham Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91073882/local-basketball-legend-dies/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=December 23, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Harry Delmar Fadden]], sailor and U.S. Medal of Honor recipient
* [[Casey Bauman]], NFL Quarterback.

==Municipal services==
The City of Sumas provides electricity to residents and businesses purchased from the 
Bonneville Power Administration, as well as offering water, sewer, and analog cable service 
including a mix of major Seattle networks, Canadian broadcast TV, expanded cable channels, and Showtime.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cityofsumas.homestead.com/utilityrateinfo.html |title=Utility Rates and Fees |date=29 February 2016 |website=City Of Sumas |access-date=20 April 2016}}</ref>

==Education==
The city  is served by the [[Nooksack Valley School District]]<!--UNI 05670-->.<ref>{{cite map |author=U.S. Census Bureau Geography Division |date=January 14, 2021 |title=2020 Census – School District Reference Map: Whatcom County, WA |page=2 |scale=1:140,000 |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st53_wa/schooldistrict_maps/c53073_whatcom/DC20SD_C53073.pdf |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |accessdate=March 16, 2025}}</ref> [[Nooksack Valley High School]] is the district's comprehensive high school.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Wikivoyage inline|Sumas}}
* [http://cityofsumas.com City website]
{{Geographic Location (8-way)
 | Centre =Sumas    
 | North = [[Abbotsford, British Columbia]]     
 | Northeast = [[Chilliwack, British Columbia]]
 | East =[[Peaceful Valley, Washington]]  
 | Southeast =[[Concrete, Washington]]
 | South =[[Everson, Washington]]<br/>[[Nooksack, Washington]]
 | Southwest =[[Lynden, Washington]]
 | West =[[Blaine, Washington]]      
 | Northwest = [[Langley, British Columbia (district municipality)|Langley, British Columbia]]
 | image =     
}}
{{Whatcom County, Washington}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Whatcom County, Washington]]
[[Category:Cities in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Washington (state) placenames of Native American origin]]