The Bellingham metro is home to 228,432 people (up 5.4% over five years), with a median household income of $80,989. Typical rent of $1,951/month works out to 28.9% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Bellingham's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 23.6% |
| Professional & management | 10.6% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 10.3% |
| Manufacturing | 10.1% |
| Retail trade | 9.7% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 28.9% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Bellingham market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,951/month suggests a household income around $78,000/year. The metro's median household income is $80,989.
By workforce share: Education & health care (23.6%), Professional & management (10.6%), Arts, food & hospitality (10.3%) (Census ACS 5-year).