Elevation ranges from sea level (the City of Bellingham and Blaine) to a high of 10,788 feet at Mt. Baker, considered one of the best ski areas in the Northwest, and a portion of the North Cascades National Park. The annual rainfall average is 36 inches with the average high and low temperatures of 72 degrees/53 degrees (F) in July and 43 degrees/31 degrees in January.

The area offers excellent public transportation, both traditional and alternative health care, educational, religious and entertainment opportunities. Whatcom County is served by the local transportation system with bus routes throughout the county; an airport with daily flights to Seattle, Salt Lake City and Las Vegas with connections throughout the world; AmTrak provides rail service and the water front provides ferry and cruise ship service throughout the Islands and Canada. Local health care providers are 2nd to none with services provided through St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Madrona Medical Group, the Northwest Regional Council and the Whatcom Alliance for Healthcare Access as well as the many independent healthcare services available.

Besides the many K-12 public and private educational facilities, Whatcom County is also home to Western Washington University with over 11,000 f/t students; Whatcom Community College; Bellingham Technical College; City University and Northwest Indian College. Mt. Baker Theatre provides international entertainment in the restored theater, with many movie theaters, newspaper, radio and TV stations providing mainstream entertainment means. Or, visit one of the 3 casinos within 20 minutes for local entertainment, food and gaming sports.

Outdoor activities are far ranging; snow skiing at Mt. Baker in the winter; hiking thousands of miles of mountain/coastal trails; kayaking or whale watching in the sound; or, enjoy one of the golf courses that make Whatcom County the county in Washington State with the most courses to name a few! All while knowing you are in one of the top 10 areas in the nation with the cleanest air (American Lung Assoc.) in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 (latest stats available).

General Whatcom County Demographic and Relocation Information:

Total population	174,500
Median age	34
Average household size	2.51
Average family size	3.03
Total housing units	73,900
Owner-occupied units	40,900
Renter-occupied units	23,570
Median family income	$49,325
Median h-hold income	$40,005
Per capita income	$20,025