​​​​​​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: 88,500​
  
• 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
  

Recognition

• ​​Green Power Partner of the Y​ear​​ 
  Environmental Protection Agency​
• Coolest Towns for Summer Vacation​
  Forbes
• 2018 Top 100 Best Places to Live​
  Livability
  
• Best Places to Live in the West
  Sunset Magazine
  
• Cleanest Cities in the U.S.​
  American Lung Association
• ​Best Places to Live in the U.S. 2016
  Outside Magazine​
• Top 13 Safest Cities for Cyclists
  Bicycling.com
  
• The 20 Best College Towns in America
  Business Insider
  

Photo Tour​​

Education

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.​

• Historic Preservation
• Whatcom ​Museum

City Government

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

• About the City of Bellingham Government
  
• City Services by Topic
• Bellingham City Council
• Office of the Mayor​
• Map Gallery