Whatcom County Commercial Real Estate
Whatcom County has been 'discovered' as a great place to visit, study, work, live and retire by many national magazine publications. This is good news for Whatcom County Commercial real estate.
Bellingham's Local Growth Influences and Factors
- Western Washington University actively recruits students to come to Bellingham for college education (Fall 2003 Enrollment = 12,680 Students)
- Whatcom Community College also attracts students (Fall 2003 Enrollment = 6,537 Students)
- Continuing Community Education Opportunities
- Diverse Economy and Employment Opportunities
- Small City Atmosphere within commuting distance of large cities and Major Employment Markets
- Excellent Public School District
- Excellent Health Care, St. Joseph's Hospital
- Public Greenways, Parks, Trails, Recreation Facilities
- Year round Recreational Amenities (Mountains to Sea)
- Public Access to Lakes and Salt Water
- Mountain, Island, Bay, and "Rural" View Property
WHAT IS INFLUENCING GROWTH?
NATIONAL: Bellingham-Whatcom County has been 'discovered' as a great place to visit, study, work, live and retire by many national magazine publications.
REGIONAL: Vancouver, B.C. to the north, Seattle to the south, San Juans to the west, North Cascades to the east, Interstate 5 bisecting city, Western Washington University, Alaska Marine Ferry.
COUNTY: Rural parcelization has created a large number 1-5 acre building lots available outside of Bellingham and the UGA.
LOCAL: Bellingham is surrounded by salt water, mountains, sensitive watersheds, wildlife habitat, and valuable wetlands, which influence growth,but also create land base contraints.
NATIONAL GROWTH INFLUENCES/PUBLICITY
- Over the past 5 years, Bellingham has been featured in about 20 national publications as ONE OF THE BEST PLACES FOR.......
- Outdoor Recreation (skiing/Snowboarding, Hiking, Sailing, Kayaking, Golf, Biking, Etc.)
- Retirement Living
- College Education
- Small Business
- Clean Air and Healthy Living
REGIONAL INFLUENCES/FACTORS
- Interstate 5 = Major north - south transportation connection
- Vancouver, B.C. = 45 miles to north (1 to 1.5 hour drive)
- Skagit Valley, Mt. Vernon, Burlington, Anacortes, Sedro-Woolley = 30 miles to south (45 min 1 hour drive)
- Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, and other Puget Sound cities = 85-100 miles to south (1.5 to 2 hour drive)
- North Cascades, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, and Wilderness Recreation Areas = to east (1 to 1.5 hour drive)
- San Juan Islands = to southwest (1 hour drive and 1.5 hour vehicle ferry)
- Sydney, Victoria, and Vancouver Island, B.C. = to west (1 hour drive and 1.5 hour vehicle ferry)
WHATCOM COUNTY GROWTH INFLUENCES/FACTORS
- Whatcom County = 1,377,645 Acres (2,152 Sq. Miles)
- 877,000 Acres (63.7%) of total Whatcom County land base is federally managed land (North Cascades National Park, Mt. Baker- Snoqualmie National Forest, Etc.)
- Only 104,903 Acres (7.6%) of total Whatcom County land base is developed or available for Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Public, or Vacant land uses.
- 85,588 Acres (6.2%) of total Whatcom County land base is designated as a Rural Five Acre Zoning District
- In 2003, 17,847 parcels existed in R5A Zoning District
- 2,668 parcels (15% of available parcels), amounting to 59,558 acres (69.6% of R5A designated land) can be further subdivide.
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