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
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Population: 86,720
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Area: 30.1 square miles
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Travel distances
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Canadian border: 21 miles
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Vancouver, B.C: 52 miles
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Seattle: 90 miles
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Miles of bike lanes: 61.1
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Miles of trails: 68.7
Recognition
Photo Tour
| Light Trail out of the City of Subdued Excitement | | https://www.cob.org/photos/Visiting/A.jpg | Light Trail out of the City of Subdued Excitement | Photo by AJ Barse | | |
| Purple Paddler | | https://www.cob.org/photos/Visiting/C.jpg | Purple Paddler | Photo by Phillip Humphries | | |
| Streaking Herald | | https://www.cob.org/photos/Visiting/D.jpg | Streaking Herald | Photo by Todd Edison | | |
| Larrabee State Park | | https://www.cob.org/photos/Visiting/E.jpg | Larrabee State Park | Photo by Sean Stockburger | | |
| Mt. Baker Ski Area | | https://www.cob.org/photos/Visiting/Fp700273.jpg | Mt. Baker Ski Area | Photo by Thomas Miles | | |
| Squalicum Harbor Kayaks | | https://www.cob.org/photos/Visiting/GP400224.jpg | Squalicum Harbor Kayaks | Photo by John R. Kienast Jr. | | |
| Lightcatcher | | https://www.cob.org/photos/Visiting/Hp901211[1].jpg | Lightcatcher | Photo by Kenni Merritt | | |
| Jingle Jam | | https://www.cob.org/photos/Visiting/Ip800207.jpg | Jingle Jam | Photo by Tomas Calderon | | |
| Picture Lake | | https://www.cob.org/photos/Visiting/P.jpg | Picture Lake | Photo by Kathleen Kitto | | |
| Lake Padden Snow Storm | | https://www.cob.org/photos/Visiting/P900210.jpg | Lake Padden Snow Storm | Photo by Katheryn Moran | | |
| Bellewood Acres Pumpkin Patch | | https://www.cob.org/photos/Visiting/p800269.jpg | Bellewood Acres Pumpkin Patch | Photo by Sean Stockburger | | |
| Bellingham Fire Hose Evolutions | | https://www.cob.org/photos/Visiting/p800301.jpg | Bellingham Fire Hose Evolutions | Photo by Jarod Trow | | |
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.
City Government
Learn more about how the City of Bellingham serves the community.