Living in Birch Bay, Washington
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Birch Bay · Census data 2020–2024
Birch Bay has 10,837 residents with a median age of 44.6. The median household income is $86,854 (12% lower than the Washington median), the median home value is $477,200, the median rent is $1,222/month.
Birch Bay at a glance
- Population
- 10,837
- Median age
- 44.6State: 38.3
- Median household income
- $86,854State: $98,141
- Median home value
- $477,200State: $564,600
- Median rent
- $1,222/moState: $1,760
- Homeowners
- 82.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 32%
- Average commute
- 26 min
Is Birch Bay a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 15% lower than the state median; an average commute of 26 minutes; unemployment of 3.7%; a poverty rate of 9.4%.
Cons: Median household income 12% lower than the Washington median.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Birch Bay
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Birch Bay the median home value is $477,200, 43% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,222 per month, which is 33.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,064 a month in housing costs.
Birch Bay median household income
The median household income in Birch Bay is $86,854 and the income per person is $46,034. 9.4% of residents live below the poverty line (Washington: 9.9%).
Housing in Birch Bay: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 5,974
- Owner-occupied
- 82.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 17.9%
- Vacant
- 22%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1990
- Average household size
- 2.32
Birch Bay demographics
- Population
- 10,837
- Median age
- 44.6
- Under 18
- 20.1%
- 65 and older
- 24.2%
- Households
- 4,661
- Foreign-born
- 9.9%
- Veterans
- 10.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Birch Bay ›
Education in Birch Bay
32% of adults 25 and older in Birch Bay have a bachelor's degree or higher (Washington: 39.6%), and 12% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Birch Bay
- Unemployment rate
- 3.7%State: 5.1%
- Average commute
- 26 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 15.3%
- Drive alone
- 77.7%
- Public transit
- 0.2%
- Walk to work
- 0.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.9%
Birch Bay vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birch Bay | 10,837 | $86,854 | $477,200 | $1,222 |
| Blaine | 6,100 | $84,030 | $549,600 | $1,450 |
| Custer | 477 | $93,598 | $527,600 | — |
| Ferndale | 15,999 | $87,579 | $549,300 | $1,477 |
| Marietta-Alderwood | 3,754 | $76,019 | $547,100 | $1,496 |
| Lynden | 16,234 | $103,233 | $596,600 | $1,707 |
| Point Roberts | 1,288 | $78,125 | $483,900 | $1,095 |
| Bellingham | 93,438 | $66,755 | $627,500 | $1,577 |
| Everson | 3,040 | $80,250 | $450,300 | $1,294 |
More for people moving to Birch Bay
Birch Bay ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Birch Bay: FAQ
What is the median household income in Birch Bay, WA?
The median household income in Birch Bay is $86,854, 12% lower than the Washington median of $98,141 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Birch Bay?
The median home value in Birch Bay is $477,200, compared with $564,600 in Washington.
How much is rent in Birch Bay?
The median gross rent in Birch Bay is $1,222 per month, about 33.7% of household income.
Is Birch Bay, WA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 15% lower than the state median; an average commute of 26 minutes; unemployment of 3.7%; a poverty rate of 9.4%. Minuses: median household income 12% lower than the Washington median.
What is the median age in Birch Bay?
The median age in Birch Bay is 44.6 years (Washington: 38.3).
How long is the commute in Birch Bay?
The average commute to work in Birch Bay is 26 minutes; 15.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Birch Bay?
The unemployment rate in Birch Bay is 3.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Birch Bay?
32% of adults in Birch Bay have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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