Average Tax Assessment in Whatcom County
Real Estate Values and Property Tax Valuation in Whatcom County, Washington
Whatcom County has 92,246 properties with a cumulative value of $33.5B, making up 2.94% of all real estate value in Washington. Property taxes in Whatcom County are collected on these properties, totaling $301.9M. The average homeowner in Whatcom County pays $3,303 in property taxes, which is lower than the state average of $4,796. The average property tax rate in Whatcom County is 0.90%, while the state average is 1.01%. Properties are valued for tax purposes based on their market value, which is determined by the county assessor.
The property tax timeline in Washington begins on January 1st when the property valuation date is set. Property value notices are issued from May to December and the property tax appeal deadline is July 1st or 30-60 days after the notice is issued. Finally, property tax bills are issued on February 14th.
Updated November 01, 2023
| Important Links | |
|---|---|
| Whatcom Assessor | (360) 676-6790 |
| Whatcom Auditor / Recorder | (360) 676-6740 |
| Whatcom Treasurer | (360) 676-6774 |
| Important Dates | |
|---|---|
| Property Valuation Date: | January 1st |
| Property Value Notices Issued: | May - December |
| Property Tax Appeal Deadline: | July 1st or 30-60 days after notice |
| Property Tax Bills Issued: | February 14th |
| Real Property Tax Bill Due (1st of #): | April 30th |
| Real Property Tax Bill Due (2nd of #): | October 31st |
| Available Exemptions | |
|---|---|
| Senior | Available |
| Disabled | Available |
| Homestead | Not Available |
| Veteran | Available |
| Charitable | Available |
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Real Estate Statistics in Whatcom County
Residential Property Taxes by Cities in Whatcom County
Whatcom County has an average property tax rate of 0.90%, which is slightly lower than the state average of 1.06%. This rate applies to all cities in the county, but there is some variation in effective property tax rates across the cities. The city with the highest effective property tax rate is Nooksack, at 1.02%, while the city with the lowest effective property tax rate is Acme, at 0.76%. This means that property owners in Nooksack will pay a higher property tax bill than those in Acme.
Overall, Whatcom County has a relatively low property tax rate compared to other counties in the state. This makes it an attractive option for those looking to purchase property in the area. However, it is important to note that the effective property tax rate can vary significantly across the cities in the county, so it is important to research the rates in the specific city you are considering before making a purchase.
Tax Assessment Value
The following table shows the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentile of property assessment value in each city in Whatcom County. The tax assessment value may differ from the potential sale value, and is used to calculate the property tax for each piece of real estate.
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acme | $23,180 | $75,950 | $218,841 | $369,580 | $488,211 |
| Bellingham | $96,557 | $294,448 | $411,491 | $546,672 | $752,814 |
| Blaine | $12,981 | $120,519 | $278,336 | $428,744 | $634,185 |
| Custer | $115,084 | $241,159 | $339,948 | $453,438 | $609,843 |
| Deming | $14,500 | $21,840 | $74,080 | $280,758 | $402,933 |
| Everson | $69,931 | $231,689 | $341,052 | $456,325 | $604,199 |
| Ferndale | $89,213 | $260,040 | $365,297 | $490,156 | $622,111 |
| Lummi Island | $17,940 | $76,500 | $271,656 | $505,195 | $707,005 |
| Lynden | $194,914 | $289,965 | $375,962 | $492,044 | $637,417 |
| Maple Falls | $19,073 | $45,143 | $125,834 | $214,675 | $295,567 |
| Nooksack | $207,676 | $248,481 | $322,648 | $378,916 | $419,509 |
| Point Roberts | $18,453 | $34,599 | $149,923 | $260,918 | $488,435 |
| Sedro Woolley | $12,000 | $29,244 | $257,177 | $363,392 | $486,932 |
| Sumas | $7,773 | $20,790 | $169,501 | $291,099 | $404,985 |
Property Tax Bill
This table shows the percentiles of actual property tax paid on residential properties for each city in Whatcom County.
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acme | $86 | $381 | $1,707 | $2,973 | $4,329 |
| Bellingham | $273 | $2,380 | $3,810 | $5,114 | $7,118 |
| Blaine | $100 | $824 | $2,408 | $3,768 | $5,572 |
| Custer | $572 | $1,598 | $2,913 | $3,999 | $5,444 |
| Deming | $148 | $205 | $612 | $2,485 | $3,598 |
| Everson | $302 | $1,884 | $3,408 | $4,709 | $6,082 |
| Ferndale | $268 | $1,861 | $3,191 | $4,364 | $5,588 |
| Lummi Island | $155 | $484 | $2,452 | $4,850 | $6,804 |
| Lynden | $800 | $2,552 | $3,427 | $4,544 | $5,905 |
| Maple Falls | $138 | $339 | $1,077 | $1,928 | $2,682 |
| Nooksack | $737 | $2,534 | $3,453 | $4,098 | $4,553 |
| Point Roberts | $169 | $317 | $1,524 | $2,555 | $4,607 |
| Sedro Woolley | $112 | $256 | $2,254 | $3,268 | $4,331 |
| Sumas | $97 | $169 | $1,676 | $3,106 | $4,353 |
Effective Property Tax Rate
The effective property tax rate is calculated by dividing the property tax bill by the assessed value. For the percentiles below, the calculation is performed using the percentiles for property tax bill and assessed value above. Therefore, each consecutive percentile doesn't necessarily show a larger value.
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acme | 0.37% | 0.50% | 0.78% | 0.80% | 0.89% |
| Bellingham | 0.28% | 0.81% | 0.93% | 0.94% | 0.95% |
| Blaine | 0.77% | 0.68% | 0.87% | 0.88% | 0.88% |
| Custer | 0.50% | 0.66% | 0.86% | 0.88% | 0.89% |
| Deming | 1.02% | 0.94% | 0.83% | 0.89% | 0.89% |
| Everson | 0.43% | 0.81% | 1.00% | 1.03% | 1.01% |
| Ferndale | 0.30% | 0.72% | 0.87% | 0.89% | 0.90% |
| Lummi Island | 0.86% | 0.63% | 0.90% | 0.96% | 0.96% |
| Lynden | 0.41% | 0.88% | 0.91% | 0.92% | 0.93% |
| Maple Falls | 0.72% | 0.75% | 0.86% | 0.90% | 0.91% |
| Nooksack | 0.35% | 1.02% | 1.07% | 1.08% | 1.09% |
| Point Roberts | 0.92% | 0.92% | 1.02% | 0.98% | 0.94% |
| Sedro Woolley | 0.93% | 0.88% | 0.88% | 0.90% | 0.89% |
| Sumas | 1.25% | 0.81% | 0.99% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
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Real Estate Values in Whatcom County
The median home price in Whatcom County, Washington decreased by 0.54% from October 2022 to October 2023, from $555.5K to $553.0K. This decrease in home prices was accompanied by a decrease in home inventory, from 741 in October 2022 to 560 in October 2023. This suggests that the housing market in Whatcom County is becoming more competitive, as fewer homes are available for sale.
Average Home Value in Whatcom County, Washington
Last updated: November 2023
Percent Change in Total Home Sales in Whatcom County
Last updated: November 2023
Percent Change in New Home Listings in Whatcom County
Last updated: November 2023
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Mortgage Rates in Whatcom County
Mortgages in Whatcom County are a significant part of the local economy, with a total of $9.5 billion in outstanding loans. This represents a significant portion of the total home value in the county, and is indicative of the strong housing market in the area. The number of outstanding loans in Whatcom County is 37.9 thousand, showing that the area is a popular choice for homeowners.
The median mortgage rate in Whatcom County varies across cities, with the highest rate being 4.5% in Acme and the lowest rate being 3.94% in Nooksack. This variation in rates allows homeowners to find the best deal for their needs, and can help them save money on their mortgage payments. Overall, mortgages in Whatcom County are a strong part of the local economy, and provide homeowners with a variety of options when it comes to financing their homes.
Outstanding Mortgages
The table below shows the percentile distribution of outstanding loans on residential properties in Whatcom County by city.
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acme | $51,371 | $76,641 | $158,960 | $241,577 | $365,861 |
| Bellingham | $69,579 | $122,208 | $206,276 | $321,772 | $460,578 |
| Blaine | $59,930 | $110,994 | $193,368 | $306,066 | $431,838 |
| Custer | $57,516 | $103,128 | $196,629 | $300,543 | $407,728 |
| Deming | $38,960 | $76,426 | $156,545 | $278,408 | $413,983 |
| Everson | $63,406 | $119,287 | $208,065 | $319,930 | $420,577 |
| Ferndale | $75,290 | $140,197 | $225,189 | $341,657 | $464,551 |
| Lummi Island | $43,235 | $107,753 | $222,455 | $341,213 | $441,504 |
| Lynden | $72,566 | $128,987 | $214,611 | $322,704 | $436,734 |
| Maple Falls | $26,677 | $62,607 | $136,779 | $237,410 | $337,857 |
| Nooksack | $87,928 | $151,360 | $230,184 | $321,557 | $405,109 |
| Point Roberts | $35,437 | $83,376 | $174,451 | $355,202 | $2,563,239 |
| Sedro Woolley | $67,211 | $117,990 | $183,031 | $290,260 | $391,271 |
| Sumas | $64,952 | $100,276 | $184,091 | $289,409 | $373,684 |
Mortgage Rates
The following table shows the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentile of mortgage rates in cities across Whatcom County.
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acme | 2.98% | 3.53% | 4.50% | 6.00% | 6.43% |
| Bellingham | 3.00% | 3.59% | 4.18% | 5.70% | 6.60% |
| Blaine | 2.90% | 3.50% | 4.10% | 5.57% | 6.51% |
| Custer | 3.05% | 3.59% | 4.30% | 5.88% | 6.98% |
| Deming | 2.90% | 3.54% | 4.25% | 5.77% | 6.59% |
| Everson | 2.90% | 3.54% | 4.09% | 5.57% | 6.50% |
| Ferndale | 2.90% | 3.50% | 4.07% | 5.30% | 6.38% |
| Lummi Island | 3.00% | 3.66% | 4.31% | 5.56% | 6.51% |
| Lynden | 2.90% | 3.50% | 4.09% | 5.37% | 6.42% |
| Maple Falls | 2.90% | 3.48% | 4.25% | 5.72% | 6.54% |
| Nooksack | 2.90% | 3.40% | 3.94% | 4.88% | 6.19% |
| Point Roberts | 2.90% | 3.66% | 4.30% | 5.79% | 6.47% |
| Sedro Woolley | 2.90% | 3.45% | 4.09% | 5.59% | 6.50% |
| Sumas | 2.90% | 3.42% | 4.00% | 4.99% | 6.17% |
Housing Expenses in Whatcom County, Washington
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