Poverty and living standards in Bellingham, Washington: official figures
18.6% of residents of Bellingham (16,606 people) had incomes below the federal poverty line in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey, 152nd highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 12.5%; Washington: 9.9%).
How many children live in poverty in Bellingham?
18.8% of children under 18 in Bellingham lived below the poverty line in 2020-2024 (2,354 children), 300th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 16.1%; Washington: 11.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the poverty rate for older people in Bellingham?
By age, the poverty rate in Bellingham was 23.0% for children under 6 and 10.7% for residents aged 60 and over in 2020-2024 (US: 17.2% and 11.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Bellingham live in deep poverty?
8,206 people in Bellingham, 9.2% of residents, had incomes below half the poverty line in 2020-2024, 153rd highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many renters in Bellingham are cost-burdened?
64.8% of renting households in Bellingham spent 30% or more of their income on rent and utilities in 2020-2024 (14,376 households), 39th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 51.1%; Washington: 49.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many households in Bellingham spend half their income on rent?
32.2% of renting households in Bellingham spent half or more of their income on rent and utilities, 137th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 25.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Bellingham compares with other cities in the United States
Residents below the poverty line (2020-2024)
Bellingham ranks 152 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 149 | Tucson | 18.9% |
| 150 | Tulsa | 18.7% |
| 151 | San Bernardino | 18.6% |
| 152 | Bellingham | 18.6% |
| 153 | Lynchburg | 18.6% |
| 154 | Chapel Hill | 18.6% |
| 155 | Homestead | 18.4% |
Children under 18 below the poverty line (2020-2024)
Bellingham ranks 300 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Children under 18 below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 297 | Manchester | 18.9% |
| 298 | Albany | 18.8% |
| 299 | Greeley | 18.8% |
| 300 | Bellingham | 18.8% |
| 301 | Grand Island | 18.8% |
| 302 | Montebello | 18.7% |
| 303 | Kennewick | 18.7% |
Residents with incomes below half the poverty line (2020-2024)
Bellingham ranks 153 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents with incomes below half the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 150 | Wichita Falls | 9.2% |
| 151 | Paterson | 9.2% |
| 152 | Washington | 9.2% |
| 153 | Bellingham | 9.2% |
| 154 | Boston | 9.1% |
| 155 | Killeen | 9.1% |
| 156 | Lawton | 9.1% |
Renting households spending 30% or more of income on rent (2020-2024)
Bellingham ranks 39 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Renting households spending 30% or more of income on rent |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | Fairfield | 65.0% |
| 37 | Plantation | 64.9% |
| 38 | Lincoln | 64.8% |
| 39 | Bellingham | 64.8% |
| 40 | College Station | 64.7% |
| 41 | Santee | 64.7% |
| 42 | Barnstable Town | 64.6% |
More on Bellingham: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · government budget · all cities in the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B17020: Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months by Age (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 e79a292f34605560506b7f4b5c8ea242c9d6e203c8e95ba675565ddb7758571e), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 41bab025d213…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table C17002: Ratio of Income to Poverty Level in the Past 12 Months (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 dc3dc675113683ec3ff2a0e29a840f43e03268151d7f14b922658d7306da5187), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 31aa364bfddf…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25070: Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income in the Past 12 Months (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 862ccc17d913305d11e6f802ce4518d76b30585ea0b05b251cd8cf21f8661386), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 4f8d499d9e95…)
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