Below is an article courtesy of the City of Bellingham on recent census data for Bellingham and Whatcom County.

Recently published federal Census data highlights the excess rural growth Whatcom County has experienced over what was projected eight years ago, and shows increases in Bellingham resident’s ethnic diversity and age.

Bellingham residents tell us they want to protect Lake Whatcom, they want to protect open spaces and agricultural land, and they want to prevent sprawl,” Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike said. “The census data provides us the opportunity to see where our growth is going and reflect on whether it meets our community’s values.

The adopted growth forecast for 2002-2022 – used for comprehensive planning and compliance with growth management requirements — anticipated Bellingham and its urban growth areas would increase an average of 1,580 people per year.  The City’s actual growth rate, per the Census data, was only 77% of the forecast, averaging 1,224 people per year.  However, Whatcom County overall grew more than expected, at a rate of 113% of the forecast, averaging 3,459 people per year compared to the projected 3,072. 

City and county governments planned for growth to occur in the cities, rather than sprawl into rural areas.  Unfortunately, unincorporated areas grew 330% more than forecast, at a rate of 1,672 people per year, while the small cities only grew at 57% of forecasted rates. Significant growth is shown outside the city limits in the Lake Whatcom watershed. The biggest increase since 1990 is in Sudden Valley, representing a huge part of the rural growth allowed within the county over the past two decades. Interactive map of Whatcom County population growth: 1990, 2000 and 2010

What does this mean for Bellingham?
The good news for Bellingham is that density has increased by 14% per square mile, showing that the City is growing “up” and not “out.”  The City overall also is becoming more ethnically diverse. The Asian population and the Hispanic or Latino population saw the greatest gains among minority populations. In addition, Bellingham is becoming “older.”  The population over 18 years of age increased by over 13,000 people, while the population under 18 increased by just over 700 people in the decade from 2000 to 2010.

The greatest increases in both density and ethnic diversity occurred within neighborhoods close to the city center, demonstrating the vitality of Bellingham’s urban neighborhoods.

Many efforts are underway to encourage people to locate within the Bellingham city limits.  These include the Infill Housing Toolkit, Urban Village planning, increasing mobility options, improving park and trail networks and incentivizing sustainable development.
What does this mean for Whatcom County?
Providing residents in unincorporated areas with public services is more difficult and more expensive. Costs of providing fire, police and other emergency services, supplying adequate roads and utilities, and other public services are increased when extended into less populated areas with less existing infrastructure. People spend more time and personal resources commuting to work and for other services, putting more wear and tear on roads, and ultimately increasing overall costs of living.
Market forces are powerful,” Pike said. “As long as any level of government takes actions or approves policies that allow high levels of rural development, especially in the Lake Whatcom watershed, we will fall short of the public’s goal to contain sprawl and protect our drinking water source.

More Census data is expected to be released during 2011.  To view several tables and interactive graphics based on the new data, see the City’s website at http://www.cob.org/services/maps/population/index.aspx.

For more information on Bellingham Real Estate or to search for homes in the Bellingham and Whatcom County area visit www.JohnsonTeamRealEstate.com, your one stop Bellingham real estate and community information resource!