About Bellingham

​​​​​​On the shores of Bellingham Bay with Mount Baker as its backdrop, Bellingham is the last major city before the Washington coastline meets the Canadian border. The City of Bellingham, which serves as the​ county seat of Whatcom County, is at the center of a uniquely picturesque area offering a rich variety of recreational, cultural, educational and economic activities.

Quick Stats​

  • Population: 97,270
  • Area: 30.1 square miles
  • Travel distances
    • Canadian border: 21 miles
    • Vancouver, B.C: 52 miles
    • Seattle: 90 miles​​
  • Miles of bike lanes:​ 61.1​
  • Miles of trails: 68.7
Map of Washington State with Bellingham marked

Recognition

Virtual Tours

A collection of virtual tours are available for select locations in Bellingham.

Photos​​

Education

Excellence in education is a hallmark of our community. Nationally lauded K-12 public schools, two community colleges, and Western Washington University – consistently ranked high among public regional universities – all call Bellingham home. Learn more about our top-quality ​schools​ and Bellingham’s higher education institutions below.​

Western Washington University Logo

History

In 1903, four towns – Fairhaven, Whatcom, Sehome, and Bellingham – merged to create the Bellingham we know today. Bellingham’s historic character is remarkably well-preserved, with a large number of historic buildings downtown, in Fairhaven’s Historic District, and in adjacent neighborhoods. Explore historic Bellingham using one of our self-guided tours, or visit Whatcom Museum.​

City Government

​Learn more about how the City of Bellingham serves the community.

Visitor Information

Visit Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism​ to learn more about things​​​ to do, ​p​laces to see, ​where to eat and much more.​​​

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