Population 6,326 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Birchwood
Household size in Birchwood
| Period | Birchwood | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.35 | 2.32 | 2.56 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.24 | 2.45 | 2.62 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.31 | 2.37 | 2.62 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.10 | 2.35 | 2.61 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.25 | +0.02 | +0.05 | −0.03 |
Birchwood is a place of small households, averaging 2.10 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.35, a much bigger shift than nationally. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the west.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Birchwood
| Period | Birchwood | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.6 | 36.4 | 38.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 31.6 | 36.3 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 36.0 | 36.5 | 39.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 42.9 | 38.6 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +12.3 | +2.2 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
Birchwood skews older than the country: its median age is 42.9, against 40.1 nationally. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 30.6, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of Bellingham's 13 neighborhoods, only two are older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Birchwood
| Period | Birchwood | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.4% | 8.9% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.8% | 8.9% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.1% | 7.9% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.6% | 7.6% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.9 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Birchwood than nationally: 9.6%, against 11.6%. Still, single parents are more common here than in Bellingham as a whole (7.6%). The single-parent share is down 3.9 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Birchwood
Renters in Birchwood
| Period | Birchwood | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 72.4% | 47.6% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 67.5% | 47.1% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 59.1% | 48.4% | 37.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 53.5% | 47.8% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −18.9 pts | +0.2 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Birchwood rent: 53.5% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. More than a third of owners (36.2%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 18.9 points, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Birchwood
| Period | Birchwood | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.5% | 8.2% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 1.6% | 8.5% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.3% | 7.9% | 8.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.5% | 6.9% | 7.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.9 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in Birchwood: 7.5% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. The picture is much the same across Bellingham. Vacancy is up 0.9 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Birchwood
| Period | Birchwood | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1974 | 1977 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1969 | 1977 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1974 | 1979 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1976 | 1983 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +6 | +6 | +6 |
Homes in Birchwood are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1976, versus 1980 nationally. Homes here are older than in Bellingham overall, where the median home dates to 1983. Newer construction is concentrated in the west, while the southeast has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Birchwood
| Period | Birchwood | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $790 | $852 | $1,018 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $908 | $986 | $1,127 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,056 | $1,212 | $1,390 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,552 | $1,680 | $1,875 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$763 | +$828 | +$858 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Birchwood costs $1,552 a month with utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents here are lower than in Bellingham overall ($1,680). Rents are up $763 a month from 2006–10, a 97% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 37.9% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Birchwood
Bachelor's degrees in Birchwood
| Period | Birchwood | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.1% | 36.1% | 31.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 23.1% | 38.0% | 32.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 28.9% | 42.7% | 35.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 33.9% | 46.4% | 38.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +11.7 pts | +10.3 pts | +7.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are about as common in Birchwood as nationally: 33.9% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share is lower than in Bellingham overall (46.4%). The share with a degree is up 11.7 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Birchwood has the lowest share of college graduates of any Bellingham neighborhood.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Birchwood
| Period | Birchwood | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 85.5% | 91.9% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 89.5% | 92.5% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.1% | 94.5% | 91.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 97.4% | 95.1% | 91.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +11.9 pts | +3.2 pts | +2.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Birchwood: 97.4% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 11.9 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Birchwood
| Period | Birchwood | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.6% | 9.1% | 7.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.5% | 9.2% | 8.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 1.0% | 5.9% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.3% | 5.2% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −10.3 pts | −3.9 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Birchwood has been low: just 1.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Birchwood has the lowest unemployment rate of any Bellingham neighborhood. Unemployment is down 10.3 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Birchwood compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birchwood | 2.10 | 42.9 | 9.6% | 53.5% | 7.5% | 1976 | $1,552 | 33.9% | 97.4% | 1.3% |
| Columbia | 2.32 | 41.5 | 10.2% | 35.2% | 5.9% | 1940 | $1,684 | 55.8% | 96.4% | 6.0% |
| Guide Meridian | 1.98 | 37.8 | 11.6% | 55.1% | 6.6% | 2003 | $1,627 | 36.9% | 94.4% | 4.1% |
| Lettered Streets | 2.12 | 39.3 | 11.1% | 53.2% | 2.8% | 1959 | $1,392 | 48.7% | 94.3% | 7.1% |
| York | 2.31 | 28.3 | 4.2% | 83.2% | 7.3% | 1953 | $1,506 | 49.5% | 92.8% | 16.7% |
| Sehome | 2.49 | 23.5 | 6.5% | 79.2% | 16.9% | 1968 | $1,541 | 46.8% | 94.5% | 10.2% |
| Mount Baker | 2.09 | 42.8 | 5.6% | 46.3% | 8.2% | 1996 | $1,997 | 40.1% | 94.2% | 2.3% |
| Western Washington University | 4.65 | 19.7 | 6.5% | 84.2% | 16.9% | 1968 | $1,618 | 46.4% | 100.0% | 17.9% |
| Puget | 2.40 | 29.7 | 4.6% | 53.6% | 5.8% | 1991 | $1,704 | 49.5% | 94.8% | 3.2% |
| South Hill | 1.97 | 46.0 | 2.0% | 40.2% | 12.1% | 1971 | $1,689 | 72.1% | 96.3% | 4.3% |
| Happy Valley | 1.98 | 28.1 | 4.9% | 72.9% | 5.5% | 1989 | $1,592 | 53.1% | 97.5% | 6.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Eagle Point District, Dubuque, IA · Crawford, Ames, IA · Frederickson, Tacoma, WA · Hamlet, Woonsocket, RI · Harris Ranch, Boise, ID · Modello, Leisure City, FL · Willowcreek, Sacramento, CA · Timmerman West, Milwaukee, WI · Town and Country North, Cockeysville, MD · Glendale, Los Angeles, CA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Birchwood. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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