Birch Bay, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Birch Bay, Washington had a total population of 10,837, the 123rd largest community in Washington, with a median household income of $86,854, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Birch Bay Quick Facts
How Birch Bay Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,103 | 10,837 | -2.4% |
| Median household income | $77,120 | $86,854 | +12.6% |
| Median home value | $439,100 | $477,200 | +8.7% |
How Birch Bay Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Birch Bay Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Whatcom County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | 93,438 | $66,755 | 18.6% | $627,500 |
| Lynden | 16,234 | $103,233 | 7.2% | $596,600 |
| Ferndale | 15,999 | $87,579 | 12.8% | $549,300 |
| Blaine | 6,100 | $84,030 | 13.1% | $549,600 |
| Sudden Valley | 6,084 | $100,930 | 7.6% | $489,200 |
| Marietta-Alderwood | 3,754 | $76,019 | 7.9% | $547,100 |
| Everson | 3,040 | $80,250 | 5.5% | $450,300 |
| Peaceful Valley | 2,858 | $59,625 | 17.1% | $317,800 |
| Geneva | 2,073 | $142,188 | 1.8% | $801,100 |
| Nooksack | 1,794 | $97,159 | 14.7% | $524,300 |
Cities Similar to Birch Bay
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fife | 10,949 | $90,532 | $543,100 | 27.9% | 11.2% |
| Fairwood (Spokane County) | 10,674 | $91,988 | $469,100 | 46.5% | 7.8% |
| Yelm | 11,102 | $90,750 | $455,300 | 27.4% | 6.0% |
| Snohomish | 10,239 | $87,250 | $683,900 | 34.4% | 6.7% |
| Sumner | 10,733 | $98,191 | $519,900 | 26.3% | 4.9% |
Population Overview
Birch Bay is a small city located in Washington, within Whatcom County. The total population is 10,837. It ranks as the 123rd most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Birch Bay is 44.6 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 38.3 years. 10.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Birch Bay is $86,854. This is 12% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 8% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.4%. This is 5% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.7%. This is 27% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $477,200. Housing costs are 15% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 82.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Birch Bay is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.1%. The Asian population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 9.7%.
Education
32.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 39.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Birch Bay, Washington is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Washington state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 628 Census-designated places in Washington. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Washington city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Birch Bay, Washington?
Birch Bay, Washington has a population of 10,837 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Birch Bay, WA?
The median household income in Birch Bay is $86,854, which is 8% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Birch Bay, WA?
The poverty rate in Birch Bay is 9.4%. This means approximately 1,020 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Birch Bay, Washington?
Birch Bay's population is 77.4% White, 2.2% Black, 8.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Birch Bay, WA?
The median home value in Birch Bay is $477,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
How educated is Birch Bay, Washington?
32.0% of adults (25+) in Birch Bay hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.