Whatcom County Spotlight

Council Members
Website
Budget
Charter

Municipal Code
Comprehensive Plan
Labor Market Profile

Other County Officials
Staff Directory
Employment

County Seat

Bellingham

Incorporation Date

1854

Form of Government

Charter

Charter Form

Council-Elected Executive

More County Statistics

MRSC.org

Characterized by a diverse economy, beautiful scenery, and quickly growing cities, Whatcom County is one of the state’s most desirable places to live and continues to rapidly grow. Initially reliant on coal mining, timber, and agriculture, Whatcom County’s economy has greatly expanded with the founding of Western Washington University in the late 1800s and the urban development of communities in Canada, whose residents come south for recreation and shopping. Although the majority of Whatcom County is still rural, farming practices have shifted from large-scale farms to smaller, organic farms. Though the county’s main industry is now services, Whatcom County remains one of the nation’s largest raspberry producers.

Home to Bellingham, the state’s thirteenth-largest city, Whatcom County’s service industry has continued to bloom. With many shops, art, and an active city culture, Bellingham has attracted college students, workers, and visitors alike. Whatcom County is also home to Mount Baker, one of the state’s active volcanoes. Visitors and residents enjoy the snowy peaks of Mount Baker in the wintertime, where outdoor recreationists can ski, snowboard, while summertime visitors can enjoy the alpine beauty of the mountain on one of its scenic hikes.

In 1979, Whatcom County became Washington’s third county to adopt a “Home Rule” Charter. Like most charter counties, Whatcom County’s original charter states that their purpose of adopting a charter is to empower the people to have more control over their local government. Also similarly to other state charters, one of Whatcom County’s initial demands was the separation of the legislative and executive functions of the government. To do this, they designated a County Executive separate of the newly-made County Council, which now consists of seven members—six elected in districts and one at-large member.