Population Growth of
Whatcom County |
| 1960 |
70,317 |
– |
| 1970 |
81,983 |
+16.59% |
| 1980 |
106,701 |
+30.15% |
| 1990 |
127,780 |
+19.76% |
| 2000 |
166,814 |
+30.55% | |
The current estimate of Bellingham's population is approximately 72,000 people living within the city limits. The following data comes from the 2000 census.
Bellingham's population as of the 2000 census was 67,171 people, with 27,999 households, and 13,999 families living in the city. The average population density was 2,619.3 people per square mile. There were 29,474 housing units, averaging 1,149.3 per square mile.
The racial makeup of the city was 87.88% White, 0.98% Black or African American, 1.48% Native American, 4.25% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 2.16% from other races, and 3.08% from two or more races. 4.63% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 27,999 households out of which 23.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.5% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.0% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the city the population was spread out with 17.7% under the age of 18, 23.8% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,530, and the median income for a family was $47,196. Males had a median income of $35,288 versus $25,971 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,483. About 9.4% of families and 20.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.2% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.
In the 2004 US presidential election, Bellingham cast 67.44% of its vote for Democrat John Kerry.