Ferndale, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ferndale, Washington had a total population of 15,999, the 89th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $87,579, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Ferndale Quick Facts
How Ferndale 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 | 15,447 | 15,999 | +3.6% |
| Median household income | $83,839 | $87,579 | +4.5% |
| Median home value | $492,400 | $549,300 | +11.6% |
How Ferndale 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ferndale 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 |
| Birch Bay | 10,837 | $86,854 | 9.4% | $477,200 |
| 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 Ferndale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Stickney | 15,890 | $94,020 | $620,300 | 37.3% | 10.9% |
| White Center | 14,886 | $87,189 | $645,200 | 35.9% | 14.5% |
| Port Orchard | 17,149 | $89,795 | $539,700 | 34.9% | 9.7% |
| Lakeland North | 15,950 | $105,216 | $557,000 | 26.4% | 14.4% |
| Lynden | 16,234 | $103,233 | $596,600 | 33.1% | 7.2% |
Population Overview
Ferndale is a small city located in Washington, within Whatcom County. The total population is 15,999. It ranks as the 89th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ferndale is 35.1 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 38.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ferndale is $87,579. This is 11% 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 12.8%. This is 29% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.1%. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $549,300. Housing costs are 3% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 67.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ferndale is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.6%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.9%.
Education
36.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 7% 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 93.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ferndale, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ferndale, Washington?
Ferndale, Washington has a population of 15,999 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ferndale, WA?
The median household income in Ferndale is $87,579, which is 8% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ferndale, WA?
The poverty rate in Ferndale is 12.8%. This means approximately 2,011 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ferndale, Washington?
Ferndale's population is 70.0% White, 0.6% Black, 12.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ferndale, WA?
The median home value in Ferndale is $549,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.3x.
How educated is Ferndale, Washington?
36.9% of adults (25+) in Ferndale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.