Population 7,420 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Guide Meridian
Household size in Guide Meridian
| Period | Guide Meridian | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.00 | 2.32 | 2.56 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.06 | 2.45 | 2.62 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.12 | 2.37 | 2.62 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.98 | 2.35 | 2.61 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.01 | +0.02 | +0.05 | −0.03 |
Households in Guide Meridian are small: just 1.98 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Of Bellingham's 13 neighborhoods, only two have smaller households.
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 Guide Meridian
| Period | Guide Meridian | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.7 | 36.4 | 38.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.5 | 36.3 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 32.7 | 36.5 | 39.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 37.8 | 38.6 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | −2.9 | +2.2 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Guide Meridian is 37.8 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. Bellingham as a whole looks much the same. The median age has dropped from 40.7 in 2006–10, even as the national median rose.
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 Guide Meridian
| Period | Guide Meridian | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.0% | 8.9% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.2% | 8.9% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 12.3% | 7.9% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.6% | 7.6% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.5 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are just as common in Guide Meridian as they are nationally: 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 2.5 points, even as the national share fell. Guide Meridian has the highest share of single-parent households of any Bellingham neighborhood.
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 Guide Meridian
Renters in Guide Meridian
| Period | Guide Meridian | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.6% | 47.6% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 52.2% | 47.1% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 54.6% | 48.4% | 37.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 55.1% | 47.8% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | +8.5 pts | +0.2 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Guide Meridian rent: 55.1% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Just over four in ten owners (41.4%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 8.5 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Guide Meridian
| Period | Guide Meridian | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.4% | 8.2% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.5% | 8.5% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.2% | 7.9% | 8.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.6% | 6.9% | 7.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.8 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Guide Meridian than nationally: 6.6%, against 9.6% for the U.S. The picture is much the same across Bellingham. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 1.8 points, mirroring the country.
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 Guide Meridian
| Period | Guide Meridian | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1997 | 1977 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1998 | 1977 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1997 | 1979 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 2003 | 1983 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +6 | +6 | +6 |
Guide Meridian has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 2003, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1997 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the southwest, the oldest in the southeast. Guide Meridian has the newest homes of any Bellingham neighborhood.
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 Guide Meridian
| Period | Guide Meridian | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $871 | $852 | $1,018 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,109 | $986 | $1,127 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,035 | $1,212 | $1,390 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,627 | $1,680 | $1,875 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$756 | +$828 | +$858 | +$606 |
The median renter in Guide Meridian pays $1,627 a month for rent and utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $756 a month since 2006–10, up 87%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 32.1% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the southwest; the most affordable are in the southeast.
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 Guide Meridian
Bachelor's degrees in Guide Meridian
| Period | Guide Meridian | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.4% | 36.1% | 31.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 30.3% | 38.0% | 32.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 38.6% | 42.7% | 35.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 36.9% | 46.4% | 38.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +11.5 pts | +10.3 pts | +7.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
More than a third of adults 25 and older in Guide Meridian (36.9%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share is lower than in Bellingham overall (46.4%). The share with a degree is up 11.5 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only one other Bellingham neighborhood has a lower share of college graduates.
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 Guide Meridian
| Period | Guide Meridian | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 87.6% | 91.9% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 90.5% | 92.5% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.4% | 94.5% | 91.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.4% | 95.1% | 91.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.8 pts | +3.2 pts | +2.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Guide Meridian: 94.4% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The picture is much the same across Bellingham. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 6.8 points, as it has nationally.
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 Guide Meridian
| Period | Guide Meridian | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.3% | 9.1% | 7.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.8% | 9.2% | 8.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.0% | 5.9% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.1% | 5.2% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −8.2 pts | −3.9 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Guide Meridian runs below the national rate: 4.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 8.2 points, as it has nationally. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
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).
Guide Meridian 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guide Meridian | 1.98 | 37.8 | 11.6% | 55.1% | 6.6% | 2003 | $1,627 | 36.9% | 94.4% | 4.1% |
| 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% |
| Lettered Streets | 2.12 | 39.3 | 11.1% | 53.2% | 2.8% | 1959 | $1,392 | 48.7% | 94.3% | 7.1% |
| Mount Baker | 2.09 | 42.8 | 5.6% | 46.3% | 8.2% | 1996 | $1,997 | 40.1% | 94.2% | 2.3% |
| 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% |
| Puget | 2.40 | 29.7 | 4.6% | 53.6% | 5.8% | 1991 | $1,704 | 49.5% | 94.8% | 3.2% |
| Western Washington University | 4.65 | 19.7 | 6.5% | 84.2% | 16.9% | 1968 | $1,618 | 46.4% | 100.0% | 17.9% |
| South Hill | 1.97 | 46.0 | 2.0% | 40.2% | 12.1% | 1971 | $1,689 | 72.1% | 96.3% | 4.3% |
| Silver Beach | 2.39 | 44.5 | 6.0% | 18.9% | 4.7% | 1981 | $1,699 | 59.0% | 98.4% | 4.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Coves North, Kansas City, MO · Rmma, Austin, TX · Pocono Country Place, Tobyhanna, PA · Haywood Park, San Mateo, CA · Heritage Hills, Austin, TX · Hillcrest, Jacksonville, FL · Athmar Park, Denver, CO · middletown, Bethlehem, PA · Midtown-San Jose, Palo Alto, CA · Midway, Henderson, NV
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 Guide Meridian. 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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