Ferndale, WA

Washington

Ferndale is a small city in Washington with a population of 15,447. Residents earn $83,839 per year, which is 12% above the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
15,447 Population 2,145/sq mi density
$83,839 Median Income $37,688 per capita
$492,400 Home Value $608,145 Zillow
$1,461 Median Rent
51°F Avg Temperature
215 Violent Crime/100K 2,888 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$83,839 median income, 2.7% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.4 / 5.0
$492,400 home value, $1,461/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
215 violent crimes/100K (43% below avg)
B+
Education
3.6 / 5.0
32.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $83,839
12% higher than US avg
Home Value $492,400
75% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 215/100K
43% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 32.8%
3% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,461
26% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 27.1%
16% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.7%
25% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.9%
28% lower than US avg

How Ferndale Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population15,447
Median Age33.6 yrs
Density2,145/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 75%

Economy

A
Median Income$83,839
Per Capita$37,688
Unemployment2.7%
Poverty8.9%
County GDP$4,664M
Commute23 min

Housing

B
Home Value$492,400
Rent$1,461
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$608,145

Crime

F
Violent215/100K
Property2,888/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault143/100K
Burglary541/100K

Health

Obesity27.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression29.7%
Heart Disease4.8%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI28 (Good)
Rain34.7 in/yr
Elevation44 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+32.8%
High School+94.0%
School Score5.36

Community

2024 VoteR 40% / D 57%
Commute23 min
Libraries6

Is Ferndale a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ferndale receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Ferndale offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ferndale is $83,839, 12% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.7%. 8.9% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ferndale is $492,400, making it a premium housing market at 75% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,461 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 5.9x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Ferndale is below the national average at 215 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,888 per 100,000, 47% above the national average.

Education

32.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Ferndale experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 34.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Ferndale has a population of 15,447 with a density of 2,145 people per square mile. The median age is 33.6 years, 14% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (74.7%), with 3.5% Hispanic.

Population

15,447
Total Population
2,145
People / sq mi
33.6yrs
Median Age
14% below US avg
7.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.8%
Female 52.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Ferndale vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only80.4%
2% above US avg
Spanish19.6%
46% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Ferndale vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ferndale is $83,839, which is 12% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Ferndale vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$83,839
12% above US avg
Per Capita Income$37,688
Avg Weekly Wage$1,133
IRS Avg AGI$92,592

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.7%
25% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.9%
28% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,142
County GDP$4,664M

Business (County)

Restaurants163
Healthcare188
Retail230
Manufacturing71

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,447
84% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.31%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.6 min
Work from Home11.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Ferndale is $492,400, 75% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,461 (26% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $608,145.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$492,400
75% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$608,145
Median List Price$660,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$660,000
$/Sq Ft$354
Homes Sold12
Sale-to-List Ratio96.2%
Price Drops16.7%
Inventory42

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,461
26% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,078

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,082
1 Bedroom$1,180
2 Bedrooms$1,472
3 Bedrooms$2,003
4 Bedrooms$2,351

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied66.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,447
84% above US avg
Effective Rate1.31%
In Ferndale, 27.1% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 29.7% report depression. 17.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Ferndale vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity27.1%
16% below US avg
Diabetes8.0%
Heart Disease4.8%
High Blood Pressure26.1%
Asthma10.8%
COPD4.8%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.8%
Physical Inactivity17.1%
Depression29.7%
Mental Distress18.6%
Physical Distress12.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.7%
Checkup Rate68.6%
Premature Death5,965/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access82.7%
Healthcare Facilities188
Ferndale has a violent crime rate of 215 per 100,000 residents, 43% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,888 per 100,000 (47% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Ferndale vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent214.8/100K
43% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape47.7/100K
Robbery23.9/100K
Assault143.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,888.3/100K
47% above US avg
Burglary541.1/100K
Theft2,291.5/100K
Vehicle Theft55.7/100K
Arson8.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Ferndale has an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Temperature

40°F Jan (5°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average51.2°F
5% below US avg
January Average40°F (5°C)
July Average64°F (18°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.7 inches
9% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation44 ft (13 m)
Area7.2 sq mi (18.6 km²)
Population Density2,145/sq mi
Coordinates48.8526°N, 122.5886°W
County FIPS53029
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 32.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (3% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 16.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 40.3%
D 56.8%

Winner: Democrat by 16.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+32.8%
3% below US avg
High School+94.0%
School Test Score5.36
B+ Education Grade (3.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density2,145/sq mi
Total Area7.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities188
Restaurants163
Retail Stores230

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.6 min
Work from Home11.2%

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