Population 6,277 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
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Population and households in Puget
Household size in Puget
| Period | Puget | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.43 | 2.32 | 2.56 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.44 | 2.45 | 2.62 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.41 | 2.37 | 2.62 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.40 | 2.35 | 2.61 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.03 | +0.02 | +0.05 | −0.03 |
Households in Puget run small, averaging 2.40 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. That is in line with the rest of Bellingham. Households are largest in the south and smallest 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 Puget
| Period | Puget | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.1 | 36.4 | 38.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 33.3 | 36.3 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 30.7 | 36.5 | 39.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 29.7 | 38.6 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | −1.4 | +2.2 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
Puget is young: half of its residents are under 29.7, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. The median age has dropped from 31.1 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 Puget
| Period | Puget | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.4% | 8.9% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.6% | 8.9% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.8% | 7.9% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.6% | 7.6% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.8 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Puget: 4.6% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is down 3.8 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of Bellingham's 13 neighborhoods, only two have a lower share of single-parent households.
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 Puget
Renters in Puget
| Period | Puget | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 47.5% | 47.6% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 55.1% | 47.1% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 52.9% | 48.4% | 37.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 53.6% | 47.8% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | +6.1 pts | +0.2 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in Puget: 53.6% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 45.0% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the northwest and least common in the southeast. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 6.1 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 Puget
| Period | Puget | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.7% | 8.2% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 7.9% | 8.5% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.2% | 7.9% | 8.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 5.8% | 6.9% | 7.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −5.9 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in Puget: 5.8% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. That is in line with the rest of Bellingham. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 5.9 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Puget
| Period | Puget | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1987 | 1977 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1984 | 1977 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1987 | 1979 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1991 | 1983 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +6 | +6 | +6 |
Puget has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1991, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1987 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
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 Puget
| Period | Puget | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $900 | $852 | $1,018 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,095 | $986 | $1,127 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,158 | $1,212 | $1,390 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,704 | $1,680 | $1,875 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$804 | +$828 | +$858 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Puget costs $1,704 a month with utilities, above the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $804 a month from 2006–10, an 89% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 35.9% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Of Bellingham's 13 neighborhoods, only two have higher rents.
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 Puget
Bachelor's degrees in Puget
| Period | Puget | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.8% | 36.1% | 31.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 43.7% | 38.0% | 32.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 42.8% | 42.7% | 35.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 49.5% | 46.4% | 38.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +9.6 pts | +10.3 pts | +7.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
Puget is highly educated: about half of adults 25 and older (49.5%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 9.6 points, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the southeast and least in the northwest.
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 Puget
| Period | Puget | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 93.6% | 91.9% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 95.8% | 92.5% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 96.2% | 94.5% | 91.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.8% | 95.1% | 91.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.2 pts | +3.2 pts | +2.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Puget: 94.8% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Bellingham as a whole looks much the same. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has edged up 1.2 points, a smaller shift than 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 Puget
| Period | Puget | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.1% | 9.1% | 7.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.3% | 9.2% | 8.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.3% | 5.9% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.2% | 5.2% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.9 pts | −3.9 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Puget has been low: just 3.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Few Bellingham neighborhoods have lower unemployment: only two of 13. Unemployment is down 5.9 points from 2006–10, as it has 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).
Puget 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puget | 2.40 | 29.7 | 4.6% | 53.6% | 5.8% | 1991 | $1,704 | 49.5% | 94.8% | 3.2% |
| 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% |
| Western Washington University | 4.65 | 19.7 | 6.5% | 84.2% | 16.9% | 1968 | $1,618 | 46.4% | 100.0% | 17.9% |
| Samish Hill | 2.69 | 33.6 | 5.2% | 41.3% | 2.9% | 1996 | $1,785 | 56.0% | 97.7% | 8.3% |
| Lettered Streets | 2.12 | 39.3 | 11.1% | 53.2% | 2.8% | 1959 | $1,392 | 48.7% | 94.3% | 7.1% |
| Happy Valley | 1.98 | 28.1 | 4.9% | 72.9% | 5.5% | 1989 | $1,592 | 53.1% | 97.5% | 6.2% |
| South Hill | 1.97 | 46.0 | 2.0% | 40.2% | 12.1% | 1971 | $1,689 | 72.1% | 96.3% | 4.3% |
| Columbia | 2.32 | 41.5 | 10.2% | 35.2% | 5.9% | 1940 | $1,684 | 55.8% | 96.4% | 6.0% |
| Mount Baker | 2.09 | 42.8 | 5.6% | 46.3% | 8.2% | 1996 | $1,997 | 40.1% | 94.2% | 2.3% |
| 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: Cedar Park, Seattle, WA · Bryant, Buffalo, NY · Summit Hill, St. Paul, MN · The Arts District, Honolulu, HI · Southwest Hills, Portland, OR · Southside Columbus, Columbus, OH · Southern Hills, Springfield, MO · South Side, West Palm Beach, FL · Richmond Factory, Augusta, GA · Rabbit Creek, Anchorage, AK
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 Puget. 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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