Whatcom County was formed March 9, 1854, and has developed a lot in the past 150 years!

Whatcom County is the #1 producer of raspberries in the state. According to the Seattle Times, in 2004 Whatcom County growers produced 46 million pounds of raspberries, 85% of the state's crop. Given that the state itself is the #1 producer of raspberries in the country, with over 87.8% of the crop in 2002, this makes Whatcom County responsible for over half the nation's supply.

Whatcom County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. Its name ultimately derives from a Nooksack word meaning "noisy water." 

Bio-Diesel Fuel is produced in Whatcom County – not only that, but it’s not made the traditional way! Whatcom’s bio-diesel is made from deep fat fryer oil, not only producing a cleaner fuel, but recycling at the same time!

Whatcom County has 12 of the 30th tallest waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest. The tallest being Colonial Creek Falls, which is very likely the tallest waterfall on the North America continent. (Measurements are difficult to obtain due to snowfall)

Point Roberts in Whatcom County is the only place in the United States that can only be reached by crossing the border. 

Mount Baker set a world record in 1999 for having the most snow fall in one year with 1, 140 inches. This tops the previous record of 1,122 inches set at Mount Rainier, the winter of 1971-72! (National Climatic Data Center, August 1999)  

Whatcom Museum is one of the largest museums in Washington State.

Mount Baker has been voted numerous times as one of the best places to snowboard, by such publications as Snow Country Magazine and Northwest Travel Magazine.

Mt. Baker has the longest ski season in Washington State (Nov.-April).

The Bellingham/Whatcom County area is among the 25 cleanest cities in terms of air pollution, according to data collected by the E.P.A. as reported by the American Lung Association (May 2000).

Bellingham leads the nation in the amount of green space available with 15 percent of the city's total land area utilized as a park or natural reserve.

Whatcom County holds the record for the most drive-up espresso stands per-capita in Washington. Nearly 50 stands dot the landscape, with such lively names as "Brewed Awakening", "I Wanna Moka", "Jitters Cafe", "Shot in the Dark" and "Well Latte Dah".

With 17 public and private golf courses, Whatcom County has more golf courses per capita than any other county in the Pacific Northwest (Golf Digest). The region is frequently referred to as "Monterey North."

No fewer than four national magazines have singled Bellingham out as one of the country's best small towns. Magazines and publications include "Swing Magazine, " "Money," "Sunset" and "Rand McNally."

Bellingham was picked by Fortune Magazine as the "Best city to balance work and family life."

Whatcom County is the 21st fastest growing metropolitan area in the United States. From 1990 to 1998, the county's population grew by 27.7 percent (U.S. Census Bureau, The Dallas Morning News, December 1999)

Bellingham is the best small city in Washington state to do business and is ranked 19th in the country (Forbes magazine, May 2000).

Pioneer Park represents one of the finest collections of original pioneer log cabins and artifacts in the world.

Whatcom County is the first in the state of Washington in the production of milk. In 1994, dairy farmers in the county tended to more cows than anywhere else in the state. (Cities of the United States, 1998)

Nooksack River has been listed as one of the most challenging rivers to raft in Washington, attracting thousands of experienced rafters each year. (Bellingham Herald, July 15, 1996)

Squalicum Harbor is one of the largest marinas in the Puget Sound.

Hovander Park's elaborate, turn-of-the-century farmhouse, located in Ferndale, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as one of the biggest barns in the Pacific Northwest.

Dream Town USA: Outside Magazine recognized Bellingham as an outstanding place to live, work and visit and as a top ten "Dream Town" and "Outdoorsy Community" in the nation. Outside Magazine chose Bellingham based on its close access to an abundance of usable outdoors, realistic living wages and character. (September 2001) 

America's Healthiest City: Organic Style Magazine touted Bellingham as one of the seven best environmentally healthy oases in the nation. (September 2003) 

Hippest, Healthiest & Most Adventure Packed: Men's Journal rated Bellingham 33rd among the "hippest, healthiest and most adventure packed" small cities in America, as well as one of the 50 best small cities to live. (May 2003) 

Breathe Easy! Cleanest Air in the Nation: For the fourth consecutive year in a row, Bellingham, Washington is rated as having the cleanest air in the nation (in regards to air pollution), according to data collected by the E.P.A. as reported by the American Lung Association. (Voted #1 since May 2000 thru 2003) 

Boomer Haven: AARP The Magazine rated Bellingham second among 15 "Dream Towns" for boomers looking to settle down in a new locale citing the city's "natural charm, affordable neighborhoods and recreational opportunities." (June 2003) 

Sophisticated Retirement: Money Magazine/CNN ranked Bellingham among the eight best places to retire in the country highlighting the area's "great outdoors, sophisticated community and metropolitan ambitions without big-city hassles." (July 2003) 

Best College Town: Bellingham is listed as one of the best college towns in the United States to retire in Kiplinger Magazine (Nov. 2002) and the book, "Choose A College Town for Retirement." (1999)

"Most Alive" and Green & Clean: AARP's Modern Maturity rated Bellingham as one of the 50 "most alive places" in which to retire and 4th in their 'clean and green' category. (May/June 2000)