The history of
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The Fraser River Gold Rush of 1858 brought more than 10,000 people to the bay area and Whatcom boomed as a tent city and grubstake center. But the new population vanished overnight when the British Columbian government insisted that miners report to
Coal mining, lumber milling and a railroad connecting
By 1903, the four original towns along the bay -- (north to south) Whatcom, New Whatcom (Sehome),
For further information on the history of the region, contact the Whatcom Museum of History & Art www.whatcommuseum.org 360-676-6981.
Best Places to Live in 2007 & 2008
2008 STATS
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Financial |
City stats |
Best places avg. |
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Median family income |
$56,695 |
$93,313 |
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Family purchasing power |
$52,986 |
$84,802 |
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Sales tax |
8.40% |
6.60% |
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State income tax rate |
N.A. |
5.22% |
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State income tax rate |
N.A. |
2.42% |
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Auto insurance premiums |
$1,846 |
$1,854 |
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Job growth % |
18.91% |
18.60% |
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Housing |
City stats |
Best places avg. |
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Median home price |
$264,375 |
$293,712 |
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Average property taxes |
$2,139 |
$4,072 |
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Education |
City stats |
Best places avg. |
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Colleges, universities and |
1 |
40 |
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Junior colleges and |
4 |
20 |
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Test scores reading |
10.6% |
17.3% |
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Test scores math |
21.7% |
16.6% |
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% students attending public/private |
90.0/10.0 |
89.5/10.5 |
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Quality of life |
City stats |
Best places avg. |
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Air quality index* |
95.3% |
76.0% |
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Personal crime incidents (per 1,000) |
3 |
2 |
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Property crime incidents (per 1,000) |
71 |
25 |
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Median commute time |
13.4 |
23.0 |
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% population with commute |
6.1% |
15.8% |
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% population walk or bike to work |
10.2% |
3.0% |
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Leisure and culture |
City stats |
Best places avg. |
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Movie theaters |
6 |
51 |
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Restaurants |
424 |
4,141 |
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Bars |
47 |
338 |
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Public golf courses |
33 |
242 |
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Libraries |
12 |
90 |
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Museums (accredited by AAM; |
1 |
11 |
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Ski resorts (within 100 miles) |
5 |
13 |
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Arts funding (Dollars per person of state funds spent on arts) |
0.8 |
1.5 |
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Meet the neighbors |
City stats |
Best places avg. |
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Median age |
32.1 |
36.0 |
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Completed at least some college |
72.6% |
73.6% |
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Married |
39.6% |
57.5% |
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Divorced |
10.4% |
8.3% |
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Racial diversity index |
47.3 |
104.0 |
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Amount spent on vacations |
$6,564 |
$8,012 |
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From the August 2008 issue of CNN Money |
The following pages contain information that will help during your exploration of
Bellingham Public Schools
www.bham.wednet.edu
District office 360-676-6400
Elementary Schools
Alderwood 676-6404 Larrabee 676-6424
Birchwood 676-6466
Carl Cozier 676-6410 Parkview 676-6433
2508 Utter St.
Happy Valley 676-6420 Sunnyland 676-6446
Wade King 647-6840
Middle Schools
Kulshan 676-4886 Whatcom 676-6460
1250 Kenoyer Dr.
High Schools
Squalicum 676-6471
Colleges & Universities
www.wwu.edu
WWU named among best colleges by U.S. News & World Report
Western is 19th place overall among comparable schools - public and private - in the West. Since the first U.S.News rankings in 1987, Western has been highly rated in 20 of 22 years.
Western has never before enjoyed such a diverse student body. In 1990, just 755 students of color, or less than 8 percent, attended WWU. By 2009, that number had more than doubled to 2,259 students of color, or nearly 17% of the student body. That's not just due to changing demographics: It is the result of thoughtful and committed outreach to prospective students, as well as a welcoming campus community.
Stats from Western Washington University Website
www.whatcom.ctc.edu
237
676-2170
www.beltc.ctc.edu
3028 Lindbergh
738-0221
www.nwic.edu
676-2772
Whatcom County Schools
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Lynden Elementary Schools |
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Nooksack Elementary |
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Fisher Elementary |
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332-5213 |
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Bernice Vossbeck Elementary |
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Everson Elementary |
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332-8226 |
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354-0488 |
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404 W |
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332-6045 |
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354-1992 |
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966-7561 |
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Skyline Elementary |
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383-9450 |
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354-2952 |
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988-2641 |
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Deming Elementary |
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383-9550 |
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354-4401 |
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592-5174 |
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Ferndale Middle Schools |
Irene Reither Elementary B’ham |
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398-2111 |
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592-5151 |
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Ten Mile Elementary |
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383-9370 |
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398-8018 |
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592-5151 |
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383-9240 |
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398-2291 |
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398-8111 |
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Private Schools
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2290 |
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733-6133 |
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384-0602 |
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BAYSIDE |
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LYNDEN |
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1027 S. Samish Way |
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650-9465 |
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Elementary |
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714-1762 |
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1600 E. Sunset Dr. |
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733-7303 |
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354-5436 |
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733-1024 |
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354-2632 |
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1733 Old Samish |
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671-3380 |
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1027 Samish Way |
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Primary School |
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715-8830 |
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515 Drayton |
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354-6690 |
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Middle School |
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738-8248 |
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354-3358 |
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EVERGREEN CHRISTIAN |
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710 E. Sunset Dr. |
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738-8248 |
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SAMISH SCHOOL |
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734-3623 |
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671-8085 |
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2117 Walnut |
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RUFUS M. JONES PREPARATORY |
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733-1750 |
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OF THE PACIFIC |
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733-9087 |
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671-5433 |
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Arts & Entertainment
Mount Baker Theatre
104 N. Commercial
734-6080
Whatcom Country Art Museum
Bellingham Theatre Guild
733-1811
Come check out the Bellingham Theatre Guild for a wonderful atmosphere and great performances
http://whatcom.kulshan.com/Washington/Whatcom+County/Bellingham/Old+Town-Marina/Attractions/Bellingham+Theatre+Guild.htm
WWU Performing Arts Series
You can always count on WWU for exceptional shows and schedules
Upfront Theatre
Established by comedian/actor Ryan Stiles in 2004, the Upfront Theatre offers hilarious improve comedy.
Athletics
City of Bellingham Parks & Recreation Department
The Parks & Rec deparment offers a several adult league sports including basketball, volleyball, and softball.
676-6985
Boys & Girls Club
The SportsPlex offers indoor soccer, hockey & ice skating.
1225 Civic
(360) 733-9999
SportsPlex
The SportsPlex offers indoor soccer, hockey & ice skating.
1225 Civic
(360) 733-9999
20,000+/- s.f. park. Right next to park is a BMX dirt bike course
Civic Field
Athletic complex with football field & track
1355 Civic
YMCA
A few activities the YMCA offers are a rock climbing wall, swimming, and fitness equipment.
(360) 733-8630
Gold’s Gym
Gold’s Gym offers various types of fitness equipment including cardio machines and free weights.
(360) 671-4653
A few activities The Bellingham Athletic Club offers are raquet ball, swimming, and fitness equipment.
(360) 676-1800
Outdoor Activities
Galbraith Mountian
Amazing mountain biking trails!
http://home.comcast.net/~kdunruh/bellingham/galbraith.htm
241 beautiful acres of park located in the heart of the city. Enjoy waterfalls, parks, walking trails, wildlife & so much more.
Big Rock Garden
2.7 acre garden with sculptures, plants, trees & shrubs.
A few amenities the park offers are 2 sand volleyball pits, outdoor basketball court, equipment, public dock access, swimming and dog park
2.7 acre garden with sculptures, plants, trees & shrubs.
This park is located directly on the bay. A few amenities the park offers are play equipment, The Woods Coffee shop, walking trails, grass volleyball, and is an ideal place to play Frisbee. This is the place to catch an incredible sunset.
The Marine Life Center & Touch Tank is a one room space that offers a touch tank & a few large aquariums.
Located right next to the marina. Great place for flying kites and riding bikes. Park also offers play ground equipment.
http://whatcom.kulshan.com/Washington/Whatcom+County/Bellingham/Old+Town-Marina/Outdoors/Zuanich+Point+Park.htm