Editing Whatcom County, Washington

{{Short description|County in Washington, United States}}
{{other uses|Whatcom (disambiguation){{!}}Whatcom}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county             = Whatcom County
 | state              = Washington
 | ex image           = Whatcom County Courthouse - Bellingham, Washington.jpg
 | ex image size      = 300px
 | ex image cap       = Whatcom County Courthouse in Bellingham
 | flag               = 
 | seal               = WhatcomCountySeal.png
 | coordinates        = {{Coord|48|50|34|N|121|50|11|W|region:US-WA_type:county|display=inline}}
 | founded year       = 1854
 | founded date       = March 9
 | named for          = Chief Whatcom
 | seat wl            = Bellingham
 | largest city wl    = Bellingham
 | area_total_sq_mi   = 2503
 | area_land_sq_mi    = 2107
 | area_water_sq_mi   = 397
 | area percentage    = 16%
 | population_total   = 226847
 | population_as_of   = 2020
 | population_est     = 234954 {{increase}}
 | pop_est_as_of      = 2024
 | density_sq_mi      = 103
 | time zone          = Pacific
 | district           = 2nd
 | website            = {{URL|https://www.whatcomcounty.us/|whatcomcounty.us}}
}}
[[File:Entering-Whatcom-County sign at county line in Washington, 1970.jpg|thumb|right|Sign at county boundary, 1970]]
[[File:Whatcom County, Washington - Sheriff Vehicle.jpg|thumb|right|Sheriff's Department vehicle in [[Bellingham, Washington|Bellingham]]]]

'''Whatcom County''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|w|ɒ|t|k|ə|m}}, {{IPAc-en|ˈ|ʍ|ɒ|t|k|ə|m}}) is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the northwestern corner of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Washington (state)|Washington]], bordered by the [[Lower Mainland]] (the [[Metro Vancouver]] and [[Fraser Valley Regional District]]s) of the Canadian province of [[British Columbia]] to the north, [[Okanogan County, Washington|Okanogan County]] to the east, [[Skagit County, Washington|Skagit County]] to the south, [[San Juan County, Washington|San Juan County]] across [[Rosario Strait]] to the southwest, and the [[Strait of Georgia]] to the west. Its [[county seat]] and largest [[population center]] is the coastal city of [[Bellingham, Washington|Bellingham]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> Whatcom County is coterminous with the Bellingham, WA [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the county's population was 226,847.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/whatcomcountywashington/PST045223 |access-date=November 10, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

The county was created from [[Island County, Washington|Island County]] by the [[Washington Territorial Legislature]] in March 1854. It originally included the territory of present-day San Juan and Skagit counties, which were later independently organized after additional settlement.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 6, 2003 |title=Milestones for Washington State History — Part 2: 1851 to 1900 |url=http://www.historylink.org/essays/output.cfm?file_id=5380 |publisher=[[HistoryLink.org]]}}</ref> Its name derives from the [[Lummi language|Lummi]] word ''Xwotʼqom'', also spelled [x̣ʷátqʷəm], perhaps meaning 'noisy' or 'noisy water' and referring to a waterfall.<ref name="HistoryLink">{{cite web |last=Oakley |first=Janet |date=July 3, 2005 |title=Whatcom County — Thumbnail History |url=https://www.historylink.org/File/7327 |work=[[HistoryLink]] |accessdate=November 5, 2024}}</ref><ref name="bright">{{Cite book |last=Bright |first=William |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5XfxzCm1qa4C&pg=PA564 |title=Native American Placenames of the United States |publisher=University of Oklahoma Press |year=2004 |isbn=9780806135984 |page=564 |accessdate=January 29, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Annie |year=2004 |title=Shifting Shorelines |url=http://planet.wwu.edu/winter06/archives/winter04/shiftingshorelines.htm}}</ref> Whatcom County has a [[Economic diversity|diversified economy]] with a significant agricultural base, including approximately 60% of the nation's annual production of [[Raspberry|raspberries]].<ref>Bellingham County website https://www.bellingham.org/agricultural December 1, 2021</ref>
{{TOClimit|limit=2}}

==History==
The Whatcom County area has had known human habitation for at least twelve millennia. At least three aboriginal tribes have been identified in the area: [[Lummi people|Lummi]] (San Juan Islands, between Point Whitehorn and Chuckanut Bay), [[Nooksack people|Nooksack]] (between Lynden and Maple Falls) and [[Semiahmoo people|Semiahmoo]] (the northern portion, near Blaine).<ref name=CC/>{{failed verification|date=July 2018}}{{unreliable source?|date=July 2018}}

This area was part of the [[Oregon Country]] at the start of the nineteenth century, inhabited both by fur prospectors from Canada and Americans seeking land for agricultural and mineral-extraction opportunities. Unable to resolve which country should control this vast area, the [[Treaty of 1818]] provided for joint control. In 1827 the [[Hudson's Bay Company]] established Fort Langley near present Lynden.<ref name=CC/>

By 1843, the [[Provisional Government of Oregon]] had been established, although at first there were questions as to its authority and extent.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Brown |first=J. Henry |url=https://archive.org/details/brownspolitical00unkngoog |title=Brown's Political History of Oregon: Provisional Government |publisher=Wiley B. Allen |year=1892 |location=Portland |lccn=rc01000356 |oclc=422191413}}</ref> During its existence, that provisional government formed the area north of the Columbia River first into the Washington Territory, and then (December 19, 1845) into two vast counties: Clark and Lewis. In 1852, a portion of Lewis County was partitioned off to form [[Thurston County, Washington|Thurston County]], and in 1853 a portion of the new county was partitioned off to form [[Island County, Washington|Island County]].

The [[Washington Territory]] was formed as a separate governing entity in 1853.<ref>''Journal of the House of Representatives of the United States'', Volume 48, p. 397, March 3, 1853.</ref> In 1854, that legislature carved several counties out of the existing counties, including Whatcom County on March 9, 1854, with area taken from Island County. The original county boundary was reduced in 1873 by the formation of [[San Juan County, Washington|San Juan County]], and again in 1883 by the formation of [[Skagit County, Washington|Skagit County]].

In 1855 the settlers erected a blockhouse west of Whatcom Creek, to protect against forays from the aboriginal inhabitants who were attempting to defend their homelands. That year the [[Treaty of Point Elliott]] was signed, which assigned the Lummi and Semiahmoo peoples a greatly-restricted reserved area.<ref name=CC/>

The short-lived [[Fraser Canyon Gold Rush]] (1857–58) caused a short-term increase in the county's population, which briefly swelled to over 10,000 before the bubble burst.<ref name=CC/>

In 1857 the federal government began the field work necessary to establish the national border between the United States and Canada, which had been agreed on as the forty-ninth parallel in this area, and which would also mark the north line of Whatcom County. As the work moved east, several of the workers chose to remain in the area as settlers.<ref name=CC/>

==Border crossings==
Whatcom County's northern border is the [[Canada–United States border|Canada–US border]] with the Canadian province of [[British Columbia]]. Adjoining the county on the north (from west to east) are the [[Metro Vancouver Regional District|Metro Vancouver]] suburbs of [[Delta, British Columbia|Delta]], [[Surrey, British Columbia|Surrey]], [[Langley, British Columbia (district municipality)|Langley]], the central [[Fraser Valley Regional District|Fraser Valley]] city of [[Abbotsford, British Columbia|Abbotsford]] and the rural [[Fraser Valley Regional District]].

The border crossing points are (from west to east):<ref>{{Cite web |title=Data – IMTC |url=https://theimtc.com/data/}}</ref> 
* the [[Point Roberts–Boundary Bay Border Crossing|Point Roberts]] Tyee Dr to [[Tsawwassen]], a neighborhood in [[Delta, British Columbia]]
* the [[Peace Arch Border Crossing]], where [[Interstate 5 (Washington)|Interstate 5]] meets [[British Columbia Highway 99]]
* the [[Pacific Highway Border Crossing]] connecting [[Washington State Route 543|State Route 543]] with [[British Columbia Highway 15]], between [[Blaine, Washington|Blaine]] and Surrey
* the [[Lynden–Aldergrove Border Crossing]], where [[Washington State Route 539|SR 539]] connects to [[British Columbia Highway 13]]
* the [[Sumas–Huntingdon Border Crossing]] at [[Sumas, Washington|Sumas]] ([[Washington State Route 9|SR 9]] connecting to Abbotsford, BC)
* An additional unmanned legal crossing connects British Columbia's [[Skagit Valley Provincial Park]] to [[North Cascades National Park]] in Washington State.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 7, 2011 |title=Just across the border, North Cascades National Park beckons |url=https://www.straight.com/life/just-across-border-north-cascades-national-park-beckons}}</ref>

Several shopping malls and other services in Bellingham and elsewhere in the county are geared to cross-border shopping and recreation.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|2503|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|2107|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|397|sqmi}}, or 16%, is covered by water.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_53.txt |access-date=July 16, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

Western Whatcom County is part of the [[Fraser Lowland]], the plain of the [[Fraser River]], most of which is in the [[Lower Mainland]] of [[British Columbia]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2008}} At some periods in the past, one of the [[Fraser River]]'s [[distributary|distributaries]] may have entered Bellingham Bay near Bellingham at or near the modern-day mouth of the [[Nooksack River]].{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

The remainder of Whatcom County is in the [[Cascade Range]], including [[Mount Baker]].
In their foothills is [[Lake Whatcom]], which is drained by [[Whatcom Creek]] into [[Bellingham Bay]].

A small part of the county, [[Point Roberts, Washington|Point Roberts]], about {{convert|5|sqmi|km2|0}}, is an extension of the Tsawwassen Peninsula, which is bisected by the [[Canada–United States border|Canada–US border]] along the 49th parallel. The highest point in the county is the peak of the active volcano [[Mount Baker]] at {{convert|10778|ft|m|0}} above sea level. The lowest points are at sea level along the [[Salish Sea]], an arm of the Pacific Ocean.

===Geographic features===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[Bellingham Bay]]
*[[Birch Bay]]
*[[North Cascades|Cascade Mountains]]
**[[Chuckanut Mountains]]
**[[Mount Baker]], highest point in Whatcom County
**[[American Border Peak]]
**[[Sumas Mountain]]
**[[Mount Shuksan]]
*[[Chilliwack River]]/Chilliwack Lake
*[[Eliza Island]]
*[[Lake Whatcom]]
*[[Lummi Island]]
*[[Lummi Bay]]
*[[Nooksack River]]
*[[North Lookout Mountain]], known locally as Galbraith Mountain
*[[Portage Island]]
*[[Semiahmoo Bay]]
**[[Semiahmoo Spit]]
*[[Skagit River]]/[[Ross Lake (Washington)|Ross Lake]]
*[[Sumas River]]
{{div col end}}

===National protected areas===
* [[Mount Baker National Recreation Area]]
* [[Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest]] (part)
* [[North Cascades National Park]] (part)
* [[Ross Lake National Recreation Area]] (part)
* [[Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail]] (part)

===State protected areas===
* [[Birch Bay State Park]]
* [[Lake Terrell Wildlife Refuge]]
* [[Larrabee State Park]]
* [[Lookout Mountain, Washington|Lookout Mountain]] ([[Washington Department of Natural Resources|DNR]])
* [[Lummi Island]] (part) ([[Washington Department of Natural Resources|DNR]])
* [[Stewart Mountain]] ([[Washington Department of Natural Resources|DNR]])
* [[Lake Whatcom]] Watershed

===Major highways===
*[[Interstate 5]] connecting with [[Seattle]], [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]], [[Sacramento, California|Sacramento]], Los Angeles, [[San Diego]] and points south.
*[[Washington State Route 20|SR 20]] connecting [[U.S. Route 101|US 101]] and [[Sidney, British Columbia]] with [[Newport, Washington]] via the North Cascades Highway. Farthest north highway thru the Cascade Mountains in USA. Note that this highway does not connect to most of Whatcom County – Instead, a person would have to travel south to Sedro-Woolley in Skagit County to connect to Highway 20.
*[[Alaska Marine Highway]] connecting Alaska highways to the [[Interstate Highway System]].

===Adjacent counties===
*[[Metro Vancouver Regional District]], British Columbia – north
*[[Fraser Valley Regional District]], British Columbia – northeast
*[[Cowichan Valley Regional District]], British Columbia – west
*[[Capital Regional District]], British Columbia – west
*[[Okanogan County, Washington|Okanogan County]] – east
*[[San Juan County, Washington|San Juan County]] – southwest
*[[Skagit County, Washington|Skagit County]] – south

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 352
|1870= 534
|1880= 3137
|1890= 18591
|1900= 24116
|1910= 49511
|1920= 50600
|1930= 59128
|1940= 60355
|1950= 66733
|1960= 70317
|1970= 81950
|1980= 106701
|1990= 127780
|2000= 166814
|2010= 201140
|2020= 226847
|estyear=2024
|estimate=234954
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2024">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 17, 2025}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=January 8, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |access-date=January 8, 2014 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/wa190090.txt |access-date=January 8, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{Cite web |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226035610/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=February 26, 2015 |access-date=January 8, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010–2020<ref name="QF" />
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 201,140 people, 80,370 households, and 48,862 families resided in the county.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US53073 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213023219/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US53073 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=March 6, 2016 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|95.5|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. The 90,665 housing units averaged {{convert|43.0|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US53073 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213162203/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US53073 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=March 6, 2016 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 85.4% White, 3.5% Asian, 2.8% American Indian, 1.0% Black or African American, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 3.3% from other races, and 3.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 7.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 20.8% were German, 12.8% were Irish, 12.6% were English, 8.0% were Dutch, 6.9% were Norwegian, and 4.4% were [[Americans|American]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US53073 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213034736/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US53073 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=March 6, 2016 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

Of the 80,370 households, 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 39.2% were not families, and 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.43, and the average family size was 2.97. The median age was 36.6 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $49,031 and for a family was $64,586. Males had a median income of $47,109 versus $34,690 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,407. About 7.8% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 14.9% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US53073 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213033858/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US53073 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=March 6, 2016 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 166,814 people, 64,446 households, and 41,116 families resided in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|79|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. The 73,893 housing units averaged {{convert|35|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The [[Race (United States Census)|racial makeup]] of the county was 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. About 5.21% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of people of European ancestry, 15.5% identified as [[German people|German]], 9.2% as [[English people|English]], 8.2% as [[Dutch people|Dutch]], 7.9% as [[Irish American|Irish]], 7.0% as [[Norwegian people|Norwegian]], and 6.6% as United States or American ancestry.

Of the 64,446 households, 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.20% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.20% were not families. About 25.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county, the population was distributed as 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 were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,005, and for a family was $49,325. Males had a median income of $37,589 versus $26,193 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $20,025. About 7.80% of families and 14.20% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 14.20% of those under age 18 and 8.30% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
The Whatcom County government is a county corporation operating under a charter approved in 1978; it functions as a county constitution. Whatcom County is one of seven Washington counties to use the [[home rule charter]] provision of state law.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=http://www.whatcomcounty.us/1270/History |access-date=August 19, 2017 |website=Whatcom County Official Website}}</ref> Local government is split between the county, incorporated cities and towns, and special-purpose districts. These local governments are established and operate according to state law, and operate independently from the county government.

===County government===
The charter establishes the structure of Whatcom County government. The [[Whatcom County Council]] holds legislative powers granted to counties. The council consists of seven members elected for a term of four years. Council members are elected at the general election in November of odd-numbered years. Three council members are elected one year before a presidential election; four council members are elected one year after a presidential election. One member is elected from each of the five districts; two members are elected [[at-large]], which favors candidates who can command a majority of voters. The county council also serves as the county board of health.<ref>{{Cite web |title=County Council - Whatcom County, WA - Official Website |url=http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/council/index.jsp |access-date=August 19, 2017 |website=co.whatcom.wa.us}}</ref>

The executive branch consists of six elected officials, a [[Whatcom County Executive|county executive]], and five department heads. The county executive is similar to a mayor or governor. The assessor, auditor, prosecuting attorney, [[Whatcom County Sheriff's Office (Washington)|sheriff]], and treasurer are elected independently from the county executive and council. These six officials serve four-year terms.<ref name="elected">{{Cite web |title=County Elected Officials |url=http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/contact/officials.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080527175237/http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/contact/officials.jsp |archive-date=May 27, 2008 |access-date=August 19, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=County Code and Charter |url=http://srch.mrsc.org:8080/code/template.htm?view=main |access-date=August 19, 2017}}</ref> The county council establishes various departments by ordinance. The county council or county executive appoint department heads. These departments include administrative services, health, medical examiner, planning and development services, parks and recreation, and public works.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Complete List of County Departments & Offices |url=http://www.whatcomcounty.us/contact/departments.jsp |access-date=August 19, 2017 |website=Whatcom County Official Website}}</ref>

The judicial branch consists of a district court and superior court. The district court is a court of limited jurisdiction that handles civil and criminal cases. Criminal cases are limited to adults charged with misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor offenses. State law specifies what cases are in the district court's jurisdiction. The district court operates a small claims court to resolve civil cases involving monetary damages not exceeding $5,000. No attorneys are permitted to appear in small claims court. Cases are heard using less formal procedures.<ref name="dc">{{Cite web |title=District Court |url=http://www.whatcomcounty.us/districtcourt/ |access-date=August 19, 2017 |website=Whatcom County Official Website}}</ref> The district court has two judges, a court commissioner, and a support staff.

The superior court is a court of general jurisdiction.<ref name=elected/><ref name=dc/> Superior court hears civil cases exceeding $75,000 or requesting non-monetary remedies.<ref name="sc">{{Cite web |title=Whatcom County Superior Court |url=http://www.whatcomcounty.us/superiorcourt/ |access-date=August 19, 2017}}</ref> Superior court hears all juvenile criminal cases and all adult felony cases. Superior court also hears appeals from district court and municipal courts.<ref name=sc/> Superior court staff include three judges, three full-time court commissioners, two part-time court commissioners, and support staff. District and superior court judges are elected by the county voters for a term of four years. Court commissioners are appointed by elected judges; commissioners have powers and responsibilities equal to elected judges.

===Politics===
Whatcom County has been largely Democratic in presidential elections since 1988. Since 2004, the Democratic presidential candidates have received the majority of the county's vote. In the 2020 election, [[Joe Biden]] handily won the county with just over 60% of the vote, as did [[Kamala Harris]] four years later.{{PresHead|place=Whatcom County, Washington|source=<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=August 19, 2017 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|49,213|83,295|5,360|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|50,489|83,660|4,471|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|40,599|60,340|12,400|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|42,703|57,089|3,996|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|40,205|58,236|2,465|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|40,296|48,268|1,830|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|34,287|34,033|5,437|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|27,153|29,074|8,283|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|23,801|26,619|13,259|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|23,820|25,571|703|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|27,228|22,670|788|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|21,371|18,430|6,256|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|20,007|19,739|1,933|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|22,585|15,027|1,189|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|14,695|14,003|2,501|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|10,900|20,297|225|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|16,651|14,298|577|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|17,414|14,533|244|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|17,590|12,877|361|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|12,850|12,736|1,865|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|12,890|14,787|421|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|13,351|14,877|606|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|9,035|15,428|1,293|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|9,254|11,355|1,902|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|14,621|4,100|300|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|9,214|927|5,969|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|9,157|2,288|4,475|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|7,632|5,629|2,581|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|4,187|2,773|8,045|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|4,955|2,398|1,268|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|5,410|1,174|1,100|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|2,952|1,700|562|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|1,971|2,227|72|Washington}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Republican|1,709|1,161|1,248|Washington}}

===Cities and towns===
Incorporated cities and towns provide municipal services. Each city or town has an elected council and mayor.

===Special-purpose districts===
Special-purpose districts include cemetery, fire, hospital, library, school, and water and sewer districts. Each special district is governed by officials elected by voters within that jurisdiction.

====Fire districts====
Eleven fire districts, two city fire departments, and a regional fire authority provide fire prevention, fire fighting, and emergency medical services. Each fire district is governed by an elected board of commissioners. Most districts have three commissioners. Fire districts receive most of their revenue from property taxes. All of the fire districts and the regional fire authority have volunteer or paid-call firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs), as does the City of Lynden Fire Department.

The City of Bellingham is an all-career department. Some of the districts also have full-time firefighter/EMTs. All fire districts use [[9-1-1]] for emergency calls. Whatcom County has one 9-1-1 call center located in Bellingham. Fire/EMS calls are processed and dispatched at a second public safety answering point called Prospect, located at a fire station in Bellingham. Additional dispatching locations provide backup capacity to answer emergency calls.

Whatcom County Fire Districts are:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Whatcom County Fire Districts map |url=http://www.whatcomcounty.us/pds/build/fire/districtinfo.jsp |access-date=August 19, 2017}}</ref>
* Fire District 1 serves [[Deming, Washington|Deming]], [[Everson, Washington|Everson]], [[Nooksack, Washington|Nooksack]], and [[Nugents Corner]].
* Fire District 2 was amalgamated into South Whatcom Regional Fire Authority.
* Fire District 3 was merged to form Fire District 21.
* Fire District 4 contracts for service with Fire District 21.
* Fire District 5 serves [[Point Roberts]].
* Fire District 6 was amalgamated into South Whatcom Regional Fire Authority.
* Fire District 7 serves areas near [[Ferndale, Washington|Ferndale]] and Cherry Point.
* Fire District 8 serves [[Bellingham International Airport]], the [[Lummi Nation]], and [[Marietta, Washington|Marietta]].
* Fire District 9 was amalgamated into South Whatcom Regional Fire Authority.
* Fire District 10 was amalgamated into South Whatcom Regional Fire Authority.
* Fire District 11 serves [[Lummi Island, Washington|Lummi Island]]
* Fire District 13 was merged to form Fire District 21.
* Fire District 14 serves areas around [[Washington State Route 542|SR 542]] between [[Deming, Washington|Deming]] and [[Maple Falls, Washington|Maple Falls]], [[Washington State Route 547|SR 547]], and [[Sumas, Washington|Sumas]].
* Fire District 16 serves communities along [[Washington State Route 9|SR 9]] south of [[Washington State Route 542|SR 542]].
* Fire District 17 serves [[Sandy Point, Washington|Sandy Point]].
* Fire District 18 serves southern [[Lake Whatcom]] and [[Glenhaven Lakes, Washington|Glenhaven Lakes]].
* Fire District 19 serves [[Glacier, Washington|Glacier]].
* Fire District 21, North Whatcom Fire and Rescue serves northwest Whatcom County including [[Birch Bay, Washington|Birch Bay]], [[Blaine, Washington|Blaine]], [[Laurel, Washington|Laurel]], and [[Lynden, Washington|Lynden]] (outside Lynden city limits only; the Lynden Fire Department serves Lynden), Hayne, Delta, and [[Greenwood, Washington|Greenwood]]
* The South Whatcom Regional Fire Authority serves [[Geneva, Washington|Geneva]], [[Sudden Valley, Washington|Sudden Valley]], [[Washington State Route 11|Chuckanut Drive]], Lake Samish, and Yew Street Road.

===Law enforcement===
[[File:Whatcom County Sheriff- 2015 Chevy Tahoe (17217160492).jpg|thumb|left|A Whatcom County Sheriff's office vehicle pictured in 2015]]

The [[Whatcom County Sheriff's Office]] is responsible for maintaining the [[county jail]], providing security at the Whatcom County Superior Court, serving civil processes, coordinating [[civil defense|emergency management]] among the county's emergency services, and maintaining law and order in rural areas.<ref name="whatcom">{{Cite web |title=Whatcom County Sheriff's Office |url=http://www.whatcomcounty.us/200/Sheriff |access-date=September 17, 2016 |website=Whatcom County Official Website}}</ref><ref name="charter" />

The first sheriff was Ellis "Yankee" Barnes who was sworn into office in 1854, during a period in which the border between the United States and [[British Columbia]] along Whatcom County had not been fully delineated. That year, Barnes seized and auctioned 34 rams that belonged to Canadian farmer Charles Griffin for Griffin's failure to pay United States taxes. The event was one of several provocations that led to the [[Pig War (1859)|Pig War]] between the United States and the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Tower |first=Elizabeth |title=Over The Back Fence |date=2016 |publisher=Publication Consultants |isbn=978-1594332852}}</ref>

In 1863 James Kavanaugh served as sheriff. Kavanaugh, who married Princess Tol Sol of the [[Swinomish people|Swinomish]] tribe, had previously served as the first [[United States Marshal]] in the [[Pacific Northwest]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 18, 2009 |title=Back in the day in Anacortes |url=http://www.goskagit.com/opinion/back-in-the-day-in-anacortes-feb/article_f335f568-2d2e-57e3-b0bf-39617b6ccf57.html |access-date=September 17, 2016 |work=Skagit County Herald}}</ref><ref name="charter" />

In 2005 the sheriff's office reported 80 deputies and 53 corrections officers on staff.<ref name="charter">{{Cite web |title=Whatcom County Charter Review Commission Record of Proceedings |url=http://www.whatcomcounty.us/DocumentCenter/Home/View/294 |access-date=September 17, 2016 |website=Whatcom County Official Website}}</ref>

==Economy==
Coal mines, a sawmill, and a military fort were established on Bellingham Bay in the 1850s. Logging was the principal economic activity at first, and agriculture developed as land was cleared by logging activity. Canneries, both of fish and crops, shipped the county's products far and wide.

Pacific American Fisheries organized in 1899 in Fairhaven, and became the world's largest canning operation, employing over 5,500 residents. Smaller canneries at Semiahmoo also produced 2,000 cases of canned salmon daily. The Fairhaven Shipyard constructed fleets of fishing ships, and also produced freighters during World War I.<ref name="CC">[http://www.bellingham.com Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry]</ref>

Whatcom County has a large agricultural industry that dates back to the late 19th century, when communities transitioned from logging after the removal of forests in the Nooksack Valley.<ref name="HistoryLink"/> The county produces {{Convert|60–80|e6lb|e6kg|abbr=unit}} of [[raspberry|raspberries]] annually, which constitutes 99&nbsp;percent of Washington's crop and typically around 85&nbsp;percent of the entire U.S. raspberry harvest.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Gallagher |first=Dave |date=June 24, 2021 |title=Upcoming heatwave could put one of Whatcom's most popular crops in jeopardy |url=https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/weather-news/article252318573.html |work=[[The Bellingham Herald]] |access-date=July 1, 2021}}</ref> The local dairy and egg industries also contribute to $200&nbsp;million in annual sales; the county had an estimated 48,964 dairy cows in 2007.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gallagher |first=Dave |date=August 24, 2010 |title=As Lynden's fair turns 100, farming still takes center stage |url=https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/article22202070.html |work=The Bellingham Herald |accessdate=November 6, 2024}}</ref>

Cross-border activity is also a significant driver of the economy.

==Education==
===Primary and secondary education===
Whatcom County residents are served by public and private schools, providing preschool, primary (K-5), and secondary (6–12) education. Public schools are operated by eight school districts. Each school district is an independent local government managed by an elected school board. Seven districts serve the western portion of Whatcom County.<ref>{{Cite web |title=School Districts in Whatcom County |url=http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/auditor/election_division/maps/school_districts.jsp |access-date=August 19, 2017}}</ref> One district serves the southeast corner of Whatcom County. The remaining portion of the county is national forest or national park land, which has no permanent residents.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

These districts (including any with any portion in the county, even if the schools are not in the county) are:<ref>{{Cite map |last=U.S. Census Bureau Geography Division |title=2020 Census – School District Reference Map: Whatcom County, WA |date=January 14, 2021 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |scale=1:140,000 |pages=2–3 |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st53_wa/schooldistrict_maps/c53073_whatcom/DC20SD_C53073.pdf |access-date=August 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st53_wa/schooldistrict_maps/c53073_whatcom/DC20SD_C53073.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Bellingham School District]] serves Bellingham, Chuckanut, Lake Samish, and Sudden Valley.
* [[Blaine School District]] serves Blaine, Birch Bay, and Point Roberts.
* [[Concrete School District]] serves the county's southeast corner, including [[Newhalem, Washington|Newhalem]] and [[Diablo, Washington|Diablo]].
* [[Ferndale School District]] serves Ferndale, Custer, Lummi Island, and the [[Lummi Nation]].
* [[Lynden School District]] serves Lynden and surrounding areas.
* [[Meridian School District (Washington)|Meridian School District]] serves rural communities between Bellingham and Lynden.
* [[Mount Baker School District]] serves communities along the Mount Baker Highway and Nooksack River.
* [[Nooksack Valley School District]] serves Everson, Nooksack, and Sumas.
* [[Sedro-Woolley School District]]

Numerous private schools operate in Whatcom County, including Assumption Catholic School, St. Paul's Academy, Lynden Christian Schools, Bellingham Christian Schools, and the Waldorf School.

===Higher education===
Whatcom County hosts five institutions of higher education. [[Western Washington University]] (Western) is the third-largest public university in Washington. Western offers bachelor's and master's degrees through seven colleges and enrolls more than 15,000 students. [[Whatcom Community College]] is a public community college offering academic certificate programs and associate degrees. Two universities and two colleges are located in Bellingham. One college is located on the Lummi Nation (Lummi Reservation) west of Bellingham. [[Bellingham Technical College]] is a public technical and vocational college located in Bellingham. [[Trinity Western University]] (TWU) is a private, Christian university based in [[Langley, British Columbia (district municipality)|Langley, BC]], about {{Convert|25|mi}} north of Bellingham. TWU operates a branch campus in Bellingham, offering undergraduate courses and supports TWU's bachelor's degree completion program.

[[Northwest Indian College]] is a college supported by the [[Lummi Nation]] and serves the Native American community. Northwest Indian College is located on the Lummi Nation (Lummi Reservation), about {{Convert|5|mi|4=0|spell=in}} west of Bellingham.

==Communities==
===Cities===
* [[Bellingham, Washington|Bellingham]] (County Seat)
* [[Blaine, Washington|Blaine]]
* [[Everson, Washington|Everson]]
* [[Ferndale, Washington|Ferndale]]
* [[Lynden, Washington|Lynden]]
* [[Nooksack, Washington|Nooksack]]
* [[Sumas, Washington|Sumas]]
===[[List of census-designated places in Washington|CDPs]]===
* [[Acme, Washington|Acme]]
* [[Birch Bay, Washington|Birch Bay]]
* [[Custer, Washington|Custer]]
* [[Deming, Washington|Deming]]
* [[Geneva, Washington|Geneva]]
* [[Glacier, Washington|Glacier]]
* [[Kendall, Washington|Kendall]]
* [[Maple Falls, Washington|Maple Falls]]
* [[Marietta-Alderwood, Washington|Marietta-Alderwood]]
* [[Peaceful Valley, Washington|Peaceful Valley]]
* [[Point Roberts, Washington|Point Roberts]]
* [[Sudden Valley, Washington|Sudden Valley]]
===[[Indian nations]]===
* [[Lummi Indian Reservation|Lummi]]
* [[Nooksack Indian Reservation|Nooksack]]
===[[List of unincorporated communities in Washington|Unincorporated communities]]===
* [[Beach, Washington|Beach]]
* [[Blue Canyon, Washington|Blue Canyon]]
* [[Cedarville, Whatcom County, Washington|Cedarville]]
* [[Clipper, Washington|Clipper]]
* [[Diablo, Washington|Diablo]]
* [[Greenwood, Washington|Greenwood]]
* [[Laurel, Washington|Laurel]]
* [[Lawrence, Washington|Lawrence]]
* [[Lummi Island, Washington|Lummi Island]]
* [[Maple Beach, Washington|Maple Beach]]
* [[Mountain View, Washington|Mountain View]]
* [[Newhalem, Washington|Newhalem]]
* [[Noon, Washington|Noon]]
* [[Van Wyck, Washington|Van Wyck]]
* [[Van Zandt, Washington|Van Zandt]]
* [[Welcome, Washington|Welcome]]
===[[List of ghost towns in Washington|Ghost town]]s===
* [[Goshen, Washington|Goshen]]
* [[Park, Washington|Park]]

==Notable people==
{{See also|List of people from Bellingham, Washington}}
*[[Steve Alvord]], defensive tackle in the NFL in 1987–88
*[[Tim Soares]] (born 1997), basketball player for [[Ironi Ness Ziona B.C.|Ironi Ness Ziona]] of the [[Israeli Basketball Premier League]]
*[[Ryan Stiles]], [[Emmy Award]]-nominated actor and comedian
*[[Hilary Swank]], award-winning movie actress

==See also==
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Whatcom County, Washington]]
*[[Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association]], a non-profit organization dedicated to salmon restoration
*''[[Whatcom Watch]]'', a local newspaper

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{Official website}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Whatcom County, Washington
|North     = [[Metro Vancouver Regional District]], [[British Columbia]] {{flagicon|Canada}}
|Northeast = [[Fraser Valley Regional District]], [[British Columbia]] {{flagicon|Canada}}
|East      = [[Okanogan County, Washington|Okanogan County]]
|Southeast = 
|South     = [[Skagit County, Washington|Skagit County]]
|Southwest = [[San Juan County, Washington|San Juan County]]
|West      = ''[[Strait of Georgia]]''<br />([[Cowichan Valley Regional District]] /<br />[[Capital Regional District]], [[British Columbia]] {{flagicon|Canada}})
|Northwest = 
}}
{{Whatcom County, Washington}}
{{Washington}}
{{Authority control}}
{{coord|48.83|-121.90|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-WA_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Whatcom County, Washington| ]]
[[Category:1854 establishments in Washington Territory]]
[[Category:North Cascades of Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Western Washington]]
[[Category:Washington (state) placenames of Native American origin]]