| City: | Bellingham, Washington |
| Names to Avoid: | Bakerview, Silver Beach |
| County: | Whatcom County |
| Timezone: | Pacific (GMT -08:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:49:25 PM |
| Population: | 47,011 [See All] |
| Area Codes: | 360 / 564 |
| Classification: | Standard [Normal Street Delivery] |
| Coordinates: | 48.7908, -122.4642 |
| Land Area: | 105.798 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
ZIP Code 98226 has 47,011 residents and 18,987 households (average 2.45 persons per household). The median age is 39.8 years, slightly older than the state (38.1) and slightly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 48.7% male and 51.3% female, which is slightly lower than the state male share (49.9%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are White (70.7%, much higher than the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (9.7%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 9.7%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 47,011Source: Census DHC |
| 2023 ACS Population Estimate: | 45,739Source: Census ACS |
| 2025 ZC Population Estimate: | 52,069Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 444.3 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $79,684Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 18,987Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $568,400Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.45Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.07Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 40,048 | 41,464 | 41,481 | 41,445 | 41,453 | 41,740 | 41,728 | 44,406 | 43,892 | 45,380 | 45,373 | 45,703 | 45,739 |
| Decennial Census | 41,235 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 47,011 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 39.8
Male Median Age: 38
Female Median Age: 41.6
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 1,228 | 1,413 | 1,445 | 1,328 | 1,611 | 1,814 | 1,658 | 1,591 | 1,426 | 1,344 | 1,293 | 1,308 | 1,306 | 1,316 | 1,188 | 779 | 474 | 370 |
| Female | 1,240 | 1,284 | 1,331 | 1,220 | 1,597 | 1,722 | 1,568 | 1,599 | 1,430 | 1,358 | 1,430 | 1,475 | 1,621 | 1,595 | 1,420 | 949 | 565 | 715 |
| Total | 2,468 | 2,697 | 2,776 | 2,548 | 3,208 | 3,536 | 3,226 | 3,190 | 2,856 | 2,702 | 2,723 | 2,783 | 2,927 | 2,911 | 2,608 | 1,728 | 1,039 | 1,085 |
| White: | 33,220 | 70.51% |
| Black: | 519 | 1.10% |
| Hispanic:* | 4,545 | 9.65% |
| Asian: | 3,298 | 7.00% |
| American Indian: | 3,364 | 7.14% |
| Hawaiian: | 155 | 0.33% |
| Other: | 2,011 | 4.27% |
| Total: | 47,112 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 22,892 | 48.69% | 38.0 years |
| Females: | 24,119 | 51.31% | 41.6 years |
| Total: | 47,011 | 100% | 39.8 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 40,024 | 87.51% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 884 | 1.93% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 2,918 | 6.38% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 1,913 | 10.56% |
| Total Population: | 45,739 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 40,908 | 89.44% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 4,831 | 10.56% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $79,684, which is far less than the state median ($94,952), is up $24,823 (45.2%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $15,449. Family households earn a median of $102,105 versus $53,813 for nonfamily households (a difference of $48,292). By gender, male median income is $66,211 and female is $53,870, which is far less than the state female median ($63,283), with a current gap of $12,341 that has widened from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 62.9%, which is slightly below the state rate (64.7%). The unemployment rate is 4.4%, which is below the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (44.5%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $54,861 | $54,924 | $55,952 | $55,925 | $56,675 | $56,280 | $61,658 | $61,779 | $64,235 | $67,142 | $70,522 | $71,943 | $79,684 |
| Median Family Income | $70,471 | $68,509 | $70,691 | $72,062 | $72,034 | $73,217 | $74,649 | $74,474 | $78,976 | $82,155 | $84,058 | $91,681 | $102,105 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $30,839 | $31,481 | $29,156 | $28,111 | $28,330 | $26,941 | $34,333 | $35,672 | $42,293 | $46,631 | $48,981 | $51,981 | $53,813 |
| Median Male Income | $49,672 | $51,248 | $49,825 | $45,517 | $50,004 | $52,800 | $51,384 | $54,265 | $56,186 | $53,161 | $56,590 | $61,250 | $66,211 |
| Median Female Income | $38,673 | $38,961 | $38,728 | $40,182 | $39,927 | $37,617 | $37,815 | $39,231 | $41,402 | $40,725 | $44,071 | $49,422 | $53,870 |
| Employed: | 23,038 | 60.02% |
| Unemployed: | 1,054 | 2.75% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 14,294 | 37.24% |
| Total: | 38,386 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 10,255 | 44.51% |
| Service: | 3,918 | 17.01% |
| Sales and Office: | 4,086 | 17.74% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 2,139 | 9.28% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 2,640 | 11.46% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 23,038 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $568,400, which is considerably higher than the national median ($303,400), is up $255,700 (81.77%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $210,600. The median gross rent is $1,557, which is much higher than the national median ($1,348), is up $657 (73.00%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $457. Of occupied housing, owners make up 62.16% (61.19% with a mortgage, 38.81% free-and-clear) and renters 37.84% - making this ZIP Code less home ownership than the state and higher than national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 5.10%, which is markedly below the national rate (10.43%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $312,700 | $293,000 | $291,000 | $284,500 | $291,600 | $303,000 | $322,600 | $331,800 | $357,800 | $384,000 | $418,900 | $509,800 | $568,400 |
| Less than $500: | 168 | 2.27% |
| $500 to $999: | 642 | 8.67% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 2,566 | 34.67% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 2,335 | 31.55% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 578 | 7.81% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 521 | 7.04% |
| $3,000 or more: | 470 | 6.35% |
| No Rent: | 121 | 1.63% |
| Total: | 7,401 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $900 | $942 | $968 | $993 | $1,010 | $984 | $1,028 | $1,085 | $1,100 | $1,167 | $1,261 | $1,432 | $1,557 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 7,439 | 38.04% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 4,718 | 24.12% |
| Renter Occupied: | 7,401 | 37.84% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 19,558 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 19,558 | 94.90% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 1,051 | 5.10% |
| Total Housing Units: | 20,609 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 13,122 | 63.67% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 6,484 | 31.46% |
| Other Units: | 1,003 | 4.87% |
| Total Housing Units: | 20,609 | 100% |
In 2023, 39.50% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is well above the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 94.50%, which is far higher than the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 6.50%, which is modestly below the national rate (8.60%). The share of people in poverty is 7.30%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.70%), up 0.90 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 0.60 percentage points. This points to rising hardship - a weaker consumer base, greater strain on public services, and job-market headwinds. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (38.55%). College enrollment is 27.34%, which is on par with the state rate (25.00%), meaning the community mirrors broader higher-education participation.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 401 | 1.19% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 1,455 | 4.31% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 7,212 | 21.35% |
| Some college, no degree: | 7,893 | 23.36% |
| Associate's degree: | 3,473 | 10.28% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 8,785 | 26.00% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 4,564 | 13.51% |
| Total: | 33,783 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 31,927 | 94.51% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 13,349 | 39.51% |
| Private Insurance: | 31,157 | 60.41% |
| Public Insurance: | 17,463 | 33.86% |
| No Insurance: | 2,953 | 5.73% |
| Total: | 51,573 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 48,620 | 94.27% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 6.4% | 7.3% | 7.0% | 9.2% | 9.5% | 9.3% | 8.7% | 9.2% | 7.9% | 7.1% | 7.6% | 8.2% | 7.3% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 814 | 9.07% |
| Kindergarten: | 678 | 7.55% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 3,460 | 38.55% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 1,569 | 17.48% |
| College or graduate school: | 2,454 | 27.34% |
| Total: | 8,975 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 1,492 | 16.62% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 5,707 | 63.59% |
ZIP Code 98226 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2023), there are 1,663 business establishments, employing about 24,112 people with an annual payroll of $1,415,997,000. USPS data shows 21,253 residential mailboxes and 1,439 business mailboxes, reflecting local delivery coverage.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 21,253Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 1,439Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 26,585Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 9,389Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 3,018Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 1,663Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $348,656,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $1,415,997,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 24,112Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 98226 is located in Whatcom County, Washington, within the Bellingham, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 13380) and Washington's 2nd Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 228,432 people, about 20.58% of whom live in ZIP Code 98226. It covers 105.798 sq mi of land and a water area of 8.275 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Bellingham, WASource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 13380Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 228,432Source: Census |
| MSA: | Bellingham, WA MSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 105.798 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 8.275 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 02Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 1015.02 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | --Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 5305280Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Bellingham city; WashingtonSource: Census |
ZIP Code 98226 is part of 4 school districts, including: Ferndale School District (Grades PK thru 12), Bellingham School District (Grades PK thru 12), Meridian School District (Grades PK thru 12) and Mount Baker School District (Grades Pre-Kindergarten thru 12th). There are 15 public schools and 2 private school(s) in this ZIP Code. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on October 1, 2025.