Whatcom Whatcom

Whatcom County

Updated on: December 24, 2021
State
Washington
County Seat:
Bellingham
Year Organized:
1854
Total Square Miles:
2503.471
Population:
221404 (2017)
Persons/Square Mile:
88

County structure

Government Type:
County
Authority:
Home Rule
Legislative Body:
County Council
Size of Legislative Body:
7

Demographics

2018 Population:
221404
25 to 64 Years of Age:
49.39%
65 Years of Age and Older:
17.35%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$13.5 B
Labor Force:
111,670
Unemployment Rate:
4.70%

County Contact

311 Grand Ave
County Courthouse
Bellingham, WA, 98225-4048

http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us

Whatcom County; is one among the U.S. state of Washington counties. Based on its county map location, Whatcom lies south of the CanadianLower Mainland, West of Okanogan County, North of Skagit County, and East of the Salish Sea. Whatcom measures average in maters size. According to the U.S Census Bureau, the county covers a total space of 2,503 square miles (6,480 km2); 2,107 square miles (5,460 km2) of this island while 397 square miles (1,030 km2) (16%) is water. 

Based on the 2010 census, Whatcom County’s population was 201,140. However, the recent estimates, 2020 projects an increment to 231,016 persons, which remains quite significant. 

Whatcom county consists of five legislative districts, namely fire districts 1 to 5. Each of these operates under the legal framework set by the county council and approved by the executive committee.  

County seat 

County seats refer to the main capital cities in the various counties. In Whatcom, Bellingham fills in the position while remaining the region’s largest and most populated. The coastal town serves as the central WA Metropolitan Statistical Area across the county based on its features. Most people who come here get attracted by the quality socio-economical features available. These include best learning institutions, key county offices, health facilities, social amenities, industries, among many others.  

Bellingham’s administrative system begins with the heading mayor, followed by various commissionaires ensuring a smooth run of the city.  

History: Formation of Whatcom County 

March 1854, the Washington Territorial Legislature initiated the formation of Whatcom county from the initial Island County. At the time, this territory includes San Juan and Skagit Counties of the present day. Later these two were independently organized next after the additional settlement 

Whatcom is an inspired word derived from a Lummi word, Xwotʼqom, meaning “noisy water.” Initially, the Lummi had occupied the region and two other tribes, the Nooksack and Semiahmoo 

From time in history, Whatcom has remained an agricultural base entirely accredited to its growth. Today, it has become amixed economycounty; however, agriculture forms its core base. A proof of this is with its 85% annual production of raspberries, and Whatcom county stands as one of the region’s best and most reliable produces globally. 

Administration 

The Whatcom governorship is headed by a County Council, a  Whatcom County, Washington legislative body. The council consists of seven members, five of whom are elected per district, while the remaining two are through a county-wide electoral process (At-large). Based on the council structure, the five council members assume a four-year team, after which they can either be reelected or not, depending on the quality of their previous service.  

Core functions of the council include:

  • Law adaptation
  • Policy setting
  • Final budget approval 

Council members 

Based on the laid legislative rules, every council member must remain nonpartisan as long as they are in office. This requirement ensures no favoritism, negligence, or inclination to only particular districts in service matters to the county.  

Note: The Whatcom County Executive is separate from the council; however, they work together to better the administration. In this case, their core function is submitting legislation to the board for debate. Even so, the Executive still exhibits the veto powers over the council’s opinion. 

Another core department is supporting the administration in the office of the sheriff. The team collaborates with federal and state security departments to eradicate county lines, rape, murder, and other potential crimes.  

Economy 

In the 1850s, Whatcom’s core economic activities were coal mining, sawmilling, and a military fort. Bellingham Bay back then was the critical center upon which all these were taking place. After logging created most bear land, natives resorted to agriculture, which became the main economic activity.  

Part of this agricultural practice was also fishing. The region could invest a lot in canneries of both fish and crops. Traders would then ferry these products to various locations for the market.  

A specific occasion that recognized this region as an agricultural hub was the Pacific American Fisheries organized in 1899 at Fairhaven. The largest fish canning operation, employing 4,500 “white persons” and over 1000 Chinese. An extension of this was at Semiahmoo. These were small canneries; however, they could produce around 2000 cases of cans of salmon daily 

Apart from producing the fishing ships, Fairhaven Shipyard also majored in war-ship construction. These were the World War I period when such ships were entirely in high demand.   

Whatcom County now ranks at the top of the list of significant raspberriesproducers in Washington state, and estimates reveal that it contributes to 99% of the state’s crop production annually. This amount shifts between 60 to 80 million pounds on every annual rating, representing about 85% of the total raspberry harvest in the United States.  

One most propelling feature of the Whatcom economy is cross-border trade.  

Tourist attraction sites 

Whatcom county overly has beautiful sceneries to see and lovely places to go.  

The following are essential places, features, and things to do when you arrive for visitors coming in:  

  1. Visit Parks

There are a couple of lovely parks to visit when you come to Whatcom. The first is Boulevard, Galbraith Mountain Bike Park, Lake Padden Larrabee State, and Whatcom Falls Park. Apart from the bike park, the rest are best for relaxation, walking to see the natural features, trees, buildings, etc. 

  1. Eat at various best restaurants 

Cities and towns here got the best restaurants serving quality food. You can sample a few, identify that offer the sweetest meals. You can check in to a few bars across the major streets from the restaurants. Feel the life, mingle with the people around to teach them betters.  

  1. Whatcom Museum

Whatcom museum offers so much to learn in terms of art and culture. The collections here are pretty amazing and inspirational at the same time. Accessibility is always open to all, children and adults.  

  1. Mountain Ski

Mt. Baker Ski Area offers about 1000 acres for skiing. In Bellingham, you will spot many related activities 50 miles from downtown. The needed accessories are always accessible within the nearby towns and cities. 

Whatcom Public records 

Whatcom County public records exist about the Washington Public Records Act. These records contain any valuable information relating to the functionality of the government. Under the legislative laws, local or state government officials or agencies can generate, possess, and maintain such documents. All these help better the governorship of the state and county at the same time.