WHY is Bellingham growing?

Populations at the beginning of the 21Populations at the beginning of the 21stst century (Year 2000)century (Year 2000)World = 6 Billion PeopleWorld = 6 Billion People

U.S.A = 300 Million = 5% of WorldU.S.A = 300 Million = 5% of WorldWashington State = 6 Million = 2% of NationWashington State = 6 Million = 2% of Nation

Whatcom County = 166,800 = 2.7% of StateWhatcom County = 166,800 = 2.7% of StateCity of Bellingham = 67,171 = 40% of CountyCity of Bellingham = 67,171 = 40% of County

World

U.S.A

WashingtonWashingtonStateState

WhatcomWhatcomCountyCounty

City ofCity ofBellinghamBellingham

Mirror Images of GrowthBellingham’s population growth is consistent with

County, State, and National growth trends18

90

1900

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2012

2022

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Bellingham

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6,000,000

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United States

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50000

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Whatcom County

Historic & Projected Population Growth for Bellingham & Whatcom County

1890-2022

1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2012 2022

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

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250,000

Bellingham + UGA Whatcom County

What Is Influencing Growth?• NATIONAL: Bellingham-Whatcom County has

been ‘discovered’ as a great place to visit, study, work, live, and retire by many national magazine publications.

• REGIONAL: Vancouver, B.C. to north, Seattle to south, San Juans to west, North Cascades to east, Interstate 5 bisecting city, Western Washington University, Alaska Marine Ferry.

• COUNTY: Rural parcelization has created a large number of 1 – 5 acre building lots available outside of Bellingham and the UGA.

• LOCAL: Bellingham is surrounded by salt water, mountains, sensitive watersheds, wildlife habitat, and valuable wetlands, which influence growth, but also create land base constraints.

National Growth Influences/Publicity

• Over the past 5 years, Bellingham has been featured in about 20 national publications as ONE OF THE BEST PLACES FOR……….

• Outdoor Recreation (Skiing/Snowboarding, Hiking, Sailing, Kayaking, Golf, Biking, etc.)

• Retirement Living• College Education• Small Businesses • Clean Air and Healthy Living

Regional Growth Influences/Factors

• Interstate 5 = major north-south transportation connection• Vancouver, B.C. 45 miles to north (1 to 1.5 hour drive)• Skagit Valley, Mt. Vernon, Burlington, Anacortes, Sedro-

Woolley 30 miles to south (45 minute to 1 hour drive)• Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, and other Puget Sound cities

85-100 miles to south (1.5 to 2 hour drive)• North Cascades, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest,

and Wilderness Recreation Areas to east (1 to 1.5 hour drive)

• San Juan Islands to southwest (1 hour drive and 1.5 hour vehicle ferry)

• Sydney, Victoria, and Vancouver Island, B.C. to west (1 hour drive and 1.5 hour vehicle ferry)

Bellingham’s Surrounding Region

Whatcom County Growth Influences/Factors

• Whatcom County = 1,377,645 Acres (2,152 Square Miles)• 877,000 Acres (63.7%) of total Whatcom County land

base is federally managed land (North Cascades National Park, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, etc)

• Only 104,903 Acres (7.6%) of total Whatcom County land base is developed or available for Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Public, or Vacant land uses.

• 85,588 acres (6.2%) of total Whatcom County land base is designated as Rural Five Acre Zoning District (R5A)

• In 2003, 17,847 parcels existed in R5A Zoning District• 2,668 parcels (15% of available parcels), amounting to

59,558 acres (69.6% of R5A designated land) can be further subdivided

Western Whatcom County

Rural Parcelization of Western Whatcom County

Bellingham’s Local Growth Influences/Factors

• Western Washington University actively recruits students to come to Bellingham for college education (Fall 2003 Enrollment = 12,680 Students)

• Whatcom Community College also attracts students (Fall 2003 Enrollment = 6,537 Students)

• Continuing Community Education Opportunities• Diverse Economy and Employment Opportunities• Small City Atmosphere Within Commuting Distance of

Large Cities and Major Employment Markets• Excellent Public School District• Excellent Health Care, St. Joseph’s Hospital• Public Greenways, Parks, Trails, Recreation Facilities• Year-Round Recreational Amenities (Mountains to Sea)• Public Access to Lakes and Salt Water• Mountain, Island, Bay, and “Rural” View Property