Population 2,364 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Western Washington University
Household size in Western Washington University
| Period | Western Washington University | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.84 | 2.32 | 2.56 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 4.78 | 2.45 | 2.62 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.27 | 2.37 | 2.62 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 4.65 | 2.35 | 2.61 | 2.65 |
| Change | +1.81 | +0.02 | +0.05 | −0.03 |
Western Washington University is a place of big households: 4.65 people per home on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. Numbers like that usually point to plenty of families with kids. Household size has climbed from 2.84 in 2006–10, but in a place this small, much of that may be survey noise rather than real change. No other Bellingham neighborhood has larger 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 Western Washington University
| Period | Western Washington University | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.8 | 36.4 | 38.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 19.9 | 36.3 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 19.8 | 36.5 | 39.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 19.7 | 38.6 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | −0.1 | +2.2 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 19.7, Western Washington University is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward families with many children. No other Bellingham neighborhood is younger.
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 Western Washington University
| Period | Western Washington University | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.7% | 8.9% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 5.7% | 8.9% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 4.3% | 7.9% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.5% | 7.6% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| Change | −8.2 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Western Washington University: 6.5% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Compared with other Bellingham neighborhoods, though, Western Washington University has a higher share of single-parent households than most.
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 Western Washington University
Renters in Western Washington University
| Period | Western Washington University | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 67.3% | 47.6% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 64.1% | 47.1% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 64.0% | 48.4% | 37.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 84.2% | 47.8% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | +17.0 pts | +0.2 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Western Washington University rent: 84.2% 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 four in ten owners (45.7%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. Western Washington University has the highest share of renters of any Bellingham neighborhood.
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 Western Washington University
| Period | Western Washington University | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.7% | 8.2% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.8% | 8.5% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 30.5% | 7.9% | 8.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.9% | 6.9% | 7.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | +6.2 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Western Washington University: 16.9% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. No other Bellingham neighborhood has a higher vacancy rate.
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 Western Washington University
| Period | Western Washington University | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1971 | 1977 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1945 | 1977 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1965 | 1979 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1968 | 1983 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | −3 | +6 | +6 | +6 |
Western Washington University is a place of older homes: half were built before 1968, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating.
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 Western Washington University
| Period | Western Washington University | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $397 | $852 | $1,018 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $853 | $986 | $1,127 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $971 | $1,212 | $1,390 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,618 | $1,680 | $1,875 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,221 | +$828 | +$858 | +$606 |
The median renter in Western Washington University pays $1,618 a month for rent and utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rent takes 47.7% of the typical renter's income, 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 Western Washington University
Bachelor's degrees in Western Washington University
| Period | Western Washington University | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 61.6% | 36.1% | 31.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 39.9% | 38.0% | 32.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 89.5% | 42.7% | 35.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 46.4% | 46.4% | 38.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | −15.2 pts | +10.3 pts | +7.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
Western Washington University is highly educated: 46.4% of adults 25 and older hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. That is in line with the rest of Bellingham. Compared with other Bellingham neighborhoods, though, Western Washington University has a lower share of college graduates than most.
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 Western Washington University
| Period | Western Washington University | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 97.7% | 91.9% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 99.3% | 92.5% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 98.7% | 94.5% | 91.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 100.0% | 95.1% | 91.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.3 pts | +3.2 pts | +2.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Western Washington University: 100.0% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Western Washington University has the highest share of high school graduates of any Bellingham neighborhood.
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 Western Washington University
| Period | Western Washington University | Bellingham | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.0% | 9.1% | 7.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 33.9% | 9.2% | 8.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 38.8% | 5.9% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 17.9% | 5.2% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | +2.9 pts | −3.9 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Western Washington University: 17.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Western Washington University has the highest unemployment rate of any Bellingham neighborhood. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's 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).
Western Washington University 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| Sehome | 2.49 | 23.5 | 6.5% | 79.2% | 16.9% | 1968 | $1,541 | 46.8% | 94.5% | 10.2% |
| Happy Valley | 1.98 | 28.1 | 4.9% | 72.9% | 5.5% | 1989 | $1,592 | 53.1% | 97.5% | 6.2% |
| Samish Hill | 2.69 | 33.6 | 5.2% | 41.3% | 2.9% | 1996 | $1,785 | 56.0% | 97.7% | 8.3% |
| York | 2.31 | 28.3 | 4.2% | 83.2% | 7.3% | 1953 | $1,506 | 49.5% | 92.8% | 16.7% |
| Puget | 2.40 | 29.7 | 4.6% | 53.6% | 5.8% | 1991 | $1,704 | 49.5% | 94.8% | 3.2% |
| Lettered Streets | 2.12 | 39.3 | 11.1% | 53.2% | 2.8% | 1959 | $1,392 | 48.7% | 94.3% | 7.1% |
| Columbia | 2.32 | 41.5 | 10.2% | 35.2% | 5.9% | 1940 | $1,684 | 55.8% | 96.4% | 6.0% |
| Birchwood | 2.10 | 42.9 | 9.6% | 53.5% | 7.5% | 1976 | $1,552 | 33.9% | 97.4% | 1.3% |
| Mount Baker | 2.09 | 42.8 | 5.6% | 46.3% | 8.2% | 1996 | $1,997 | 40.1% | 94.2% | 2.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: San Miguel Ranch, Chula Vista, CA · Mainland Park, Texas City, TX · Marysville Historic District, Marysville, OH · McKinley, Albuquerque, NM · Miramonte, Tucson, AZ · North River Shores, Stuart, FL · Northgate Area, Walnut Creek, CA · Reservoir Hills, Oakland, CA · Rickarby, Mobile, AL · River Oaks-Brookhollow, Abilene, TX
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 Western Washington University. 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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