County or equivalent · 53073
Whatcom County, Washington
Annual housing permits and reporting coverage
- Published estimate · 2025
- 1,214
- Reported only · 2025
- 1,122
- Added by estimation · 2025
- 92
Reported and estimated units by year
| Year and source | Published estimate | Reported only | Added by estimation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Census file | 894 | 819 | 75 |
| 2024 Census file | 1,190 | 1,070 | 120 |
| 2025 Census file | 1,214 | 1,122 | 92 |
2024 to 2025 · published estimate +24 units · reported only +52 · added by estimation -28. This split describes the difference between the published columns.
What types of housing were authorized?
| Units in building | Published estimate | Reported only | Added by estimation |
|---|---|---|---|
| One unit | 607 | 518 | 89 |
| Two units | 64 | 64 | 0 |
| Three or four units | 47 | 44 | 3 |
| Five or more units | 496 | 496 | 0 |
Local housing and rent context
| Measure | Estimate and margin |
|---|---|
| Housing units · Census table B25001 | 103,520 ± 83 |
| Median gross monthly rent · Census table B25064 | $1,555 ± $39 |
| Gross rent at least 30% of income · Census table B25070 | 60.1% ± 2.5 percentage points |
| Gross rent at least 50% of income | 30.1% ± 2.4 percentage points |
| Estimated households with a computed rent-to-income ratio | 32,537 |
The 2025 permit estimate amounts to 11.7 authorized units per 1,000 housing units in the ACS estimate. The numerator and denominator cover different periods.
The Vintage 2025 Census housing stock estimate changed from 106,194 in 2024 to 107,728 in 2025 (+1,534 units). This is a separate model-based inventory estimate.
Permit offices listed under this county code
Use the office pages for their own histories and source coverage notes.
- BellinghamPermit office 53029000 · Whatcom County · 737 authorized units
- BlainePermit office 53039000 · Whatcom County · 88 authorized units
- EversonPermit office 53169000 · Whatcom County · 13 authorized units
- FerndalePermit office 53177000 · Whatcom County · 123 authorized units
- LyndenPermit office 53299000 · Whatcom County · 53 authorized units
- NooksackPermit office 53365000 · Whatcom County · 18 authorized units
- SumasPermit office 53529000 · Whatcom County · 2 authorized units
- Whatcom County Unincorporated AreaPermit office 53591000 · Whatcom County · 180 authorized units
Sources and definitions
How to read these figures
- The Census Building Permits Survey counts new privately owned housing units authorized by permits. One permit can cover multiple units. The counts describe authorizations, a stage before starts and completions.
- The published estimate includes reported units and Census estimates that fill gaps. The difference is calculated from those two columns. Reported-only units can include records from approved alternative sources. A missing report can leave an office without a usable count.
- County and state totals come from their own Census files. Permit offices can cover places across county lines or areas served by another jurisdiction. The office’s county field is used for navigation.
- ACS housing inventory and rents are survey estimates for 2020–2024. Gross rent includes rent and separately paid utilities or fuels. Rent burden is the share paying at least 30% of income among cash-rent households with a computed ratio. Margins are at 90% confidence. The margin for rent burden is approximate.
- Vintage 2025 county housing stock is a separate Census series. Its model uses building-permit data alongside other inputs. Read stock change and permits as separate measures.
Public sources retrieved November 10, 2026. Building Permits Survey annual data · Survey methodology · American Community Survey data · Download the comparison