Whatcom, BC

British Columbia · Abbotsford-Mission Metro

Whatcom is a small city in British Columbia with a population of 10,270.

Population source: Wikidata (dated census and official estimates), GeoNames. Climate: WorldClim 2.1 normals (1970-2000), NASA POWER. Updated August 2026

10,270 Population 76/sq mi density
51°F Avg Temperature

Discover Whatcom, BC

Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
Use the tabs and dropdown menus below to navigate every data point we track for this city.

Full City Profile

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

People

Population10,270
Density76/mi²

Climate

Avg Temp51°F (10°C)
Rain51.5 in/yr
Elevation236 ft (72 m)
Whatcom experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 51.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 26.8 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 236 feet.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average50.5°F
6% below US avg
January Average39°F (4°C)
July Average66°F (19°C)

Geography

Elevation236 ft (72 m)
Area134.6 sq mi (348.7 km²)
Population Density76/sq mi
Coordinates49.0414°N, 122.2399°W
TimezoneAmerica/Vancouver

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 51.5"
35% above US avg
Snowfall 26.8"
Wettest Month (Nov) 9.21"
Driest Month (Aug) 2.28"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

414 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M5.4. Most recent: M2.9 on Aug 21, 2025.

May 3, 1996 8 km NNE of Lake Marcel-Stillwater, Washington M5.4 145 km
Apr 14, 1990 4 km ENE of Deming, Washington M5.0 23 km
Feb 21, 2025 28 km W of Squamish, Canada M4.8 119 km
Jan 30, 2009 6 km ESE of Lofall, Washington M4.7 142 km
Jul 12, 2019 2 km S of Roosevelt, Washington M4.6 131 km
Mar 3, 2025 2025 Orcas Island, Washington M4.5 63 km
Jun 24, 1997 19 km SSW of Gibsons, Canada M4.4 103 km
Apr 2, 1990 2 km ENE of Deming, Washington M4.3 24 km
Feb 19, 1991 31 km E of Squamish, Canada M4.3 81 km
Sep 21, 2002 9 km SW of Friday Harbor, Washington M4.1 90 km
Apr 14, 1990 2 km ESE of Deming, Washington M4.0 25 km
Apr 3, 1990 3 km ENE of Deming, Washington M4.0 23 km
Sep 26, 2024 12 km E of Saanichton, Canada M4.0 90 km
Dec 27, 2012 12 km E of North Saanich, Canada M4.0 86 km
Jul 1, 2009 4 km SE of Coupeville, Washington M4.0 99 km
Mar 6, 2025 14 km SW of Blyn, Washington M3.9 141 km
Mar 17, 2004 3 km SW of Clear Lake, Washington M3.8 66 km
Sep 8, 2022 7 km WNW of Lofall, Washington M3.7 139 km
Dec 11, 1999 10 km NNE of Oak Bay, Canada M3.7 93 km
Jun 16, 2017 2 km NNW of Quilcene, Washington M3.7 142 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tsunami History

3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 38.0 m (125 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
2007 CHEHALIS LAKE, CHILLIWACK Meteorological 38.0 m - 50 km
1891 WASHINGTON Eruption + Earthquake 2.4 m - 148 km
1820 CAMANO ISLAND, WA Meteorological - - 110 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Nearby Volcanoes

6 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Baker (43 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Baker Stratovolcano(es) 3,285 m (10,778 ft) 1880 43 km
Garibaldi Stratovolcano 2,678 m (8,786 ft) -8060 105 km
Garibaldi Lake Volcanic field 2,316 m (7,598 ft) Unknown 113 km
Glacier Peak Stratovolcano 3,213 m (10,541 ft) 1700 133 km
Cayley Volcanic Field Volcanic field 2,375 m (7,792 ft) Unknown 141 km
Meager Complex 2,680 m (8,793 ft) -410 198 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Wildfire History

11 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: SOURDOUGH (7,517 ac, 2023).

Year Name Acres Distance
2023 SOURDOUGH 7,517 86 km
2015 GOODELL 6,624 84 km
2022 COPPER LAKE 3,825 61 km
2022 BRUSH CREEK 2 3,186 64 km
2022 SILESIA 2,737 54 km
2022 MCALLISTER CREEK 2,581 96 km
2022 THREE FOOLS 2,451 98 km
2022 LITTLE CHILL 2,242 57 km
2003 BIGBEAVER 1,807 86 km
1998 UNNAMED 1,174 83 km
2004 FREEZEOUT 1,155 94 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 39°F (4°C) 8.0 in
February 40°F (5°C) 6.1 in
March 44°F (7°C) 5.8 in
April 49°F (9°C) 5.0 in
May 55°F (13°C) 4.0 in
June 60°F (16°C) 3.4 in
July 66°F (19°C) 2.4 in Warmest
August 65°F (18°C) 2.3 in Driest
September 59°F (15°C) 3.5 in
October 51°F (10°C) 6.3 in
November 42°F (6°C) 9.2 in Wettest
December 37°F (3°C) 8.4 in Coldest

Whatcom has a seasonal temperature swing of 29°F / from 37°F in December to 66°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 64.3 inches, with November being the wettest month (9.2") and August the driest (2.3").

View full weather details →

Schools in Whatcom

3 public schools (OpenStreetMap data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Mountain Elementary School - - - -
Semá:th Elementary - - - -
Irene Kelleher Totí:ltawtxw Elementary School - - - -
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Whatcom

4 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
Praise 106.5 (US) christian contemporary MP3 64 kbps
CIVL-FM 103.9 University of the Fraser Valley - Abbotsford, BC campus radio, university radio MP3
CKKS-FM 107.5 "Sonic" Chilliwack, BC modern rock, re-branding new format AAC+ 47 kbps
CHWK-FM 89.5 "JR Country" Chilliwack, BC country AAC+ 48 kbps

Museums in Whatcom

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
LYNDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATIONHISTORY MUSEUM3603543675$106,058
BLACK MOUNTAIN FORESTRY CENTERSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY MUSEUM OR PLANETARIUM3605991738
Abbotsford Sports Hall of Fame
Aldergrove Community Archives & Telephone Museum
Clayburn Schoolhouse Museum
Gur Sikh Temple
Heritage Gallery
Joey's Playhouse
Mennonite Heritage Museum
Mission Museum
Powerhouse at Stave Falls Visitor Centre
Trethewey House

Libraries in Whatcom

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
FVRL: Abbotsford Community Library0.0
FVRL: Aldergrove Library0.0
FVRL: Clearbrook Library0.0
FVRL: Mission Library0.0
FVRL: Mount Lehman Library0.0
FVRL: Yarrow Library0.0
Library Services0.0
Mission Community Archives0.0
Ray and Millie Silver Aboriginal Library0.0
UFV Library0.0

Farmers Markets in Whatcom

NameAddressSeasonHoursOrganicWebsite
Abbotsford Farm & Country Market
Abbotsford Flea Market
Hop Loi Market and BBQ House
Lynden Farmers Market4th and Grover Street at Centennial Park06/01/2019 to 09/28/2019Sat: 10:00 AM-2:00 PM;YesVisit
Mission City Farmers’ Market

Hotels in Whatcom

1 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Clarion Hotel & Conference Centre

Cafes in Whatcom

4 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Hugs-in-a-Mug
Starbucks
Starbucks
Tim Hortons

Theme Parks in Whatcom

1 theme parks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Castle Fun Park

Dentists in Whatcom

2 dentists within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Medora Dental Care
Sumas Mountain Village Dental

Veterinaries in Whatcom

2 veterinaries within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Alpha Animal Hospital
Ellwood Park animal hospital

Gas Stations in Whatcom

4 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Chevron
Esso
Petro-Canada
Shell

Banks in Whatcom

3 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

BMO
RBC Royal Bank
TD

Shopping Malls in Whatcom

3 shopping malls within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Parallel Marketplace
Sumas Mountain Village
Whatcom Plaza

Gyms in Whatcom

1 gyms within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Anytime Fitness

Golf Courses in Whatcom

1 golf courses within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Fraserglen Golf Course

Breweries in Whatcom

NameTypeAddressPhoneWebsite
Field House Brewing
Loudmouth Brewing
Mission Springs Brewing
Mt Baker VineyardsVineyards, Brewers, Wineries4298 Mt Baker Hwy3605922300Visit
North Fork TheBeer & Beverages, Breweries & Brew Pubs, Pizza, Restaurants, Italian, Pub Food6186 Mt Baker Hwy3605992337Visit
Old Abbey Ales
Old Yale Brewing
Old Yale Brewing Co.
Raven's Brewing
Samson Estates WineryBrewers, Wineries1861 Van Dyk Rd3609667787Visit
Temple Bar TheBreweries & Brew Pubs, Restaurants, Bar & Grill Restaurants306 W Champion StVisit
The North Fork Brewery, Pizzeria, Beer Shrine and Wedding ChapelPizza Place, Brewery6186 Mt Baker Highway (sr 542)

Stadiums & Teams in Whatcom

TeamLeagueDivision

Ski Resorts Near Whatcom

2 ski resorts within range.

Resort Slopes (km) Lifts Peak (m) Price Season Night Park
Mt. Baker 100.0 10 1,525 $50 November - May - Yes
Sasquatch Mountain Resort 0.0 - - $0 - - -

Cell Towers in Whatcom

AddressStructure TypeHeight (ft)
207 Washingon Avenue (59916)MTOWER50
207 Washingon Avenue (59916)MTOWER50
8976 Double Ditch Road (110278)MTOWER38
8976 Double Ditch Road (110278)MTOWER38

Superfund Sites Near Whatcom

5 EPA Superfund sites (hazardous waste cleanup locations).

SiteAddressCounty
NORTHWEST PIPELINE GP SUMAS4738 JONES RDWHATCOM
SUMAS GENERATING FACILITY1340 THOMPSON LANEWHATCOM
SUMAS GENERATING FACILITY1340 THOMPSON LANEWHATCOM
SUMAS GENERATING FACILITY1340 THOMPSON LANEWHATCOM
SUMAS GENERATING FACILITY1340 THOMPSON LANEWHATCOM

Airports Near Whatcom

44 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Abbotsford International AirportYXXMedium Airport
Bellingham International AirportBLIMedium Airport
Langley AirportYLYMedium Airport
Orcas Island AirportESDMedium Airport
Pitt Meadows Regional Airport-Medium Airport
Whidbey Island Naval Air Station (Ault Field)NUWMedium Airport
Acme Field-Small Airport
Allan Island Airport-Small Airport
Anacortes AirportOTSSmall Airport
Barker Airport-Small Airport
Bayview Farms Airport-Small Airport
Becker's Landing Airport-Small Airport
Blakely Island AirportBYWSmall Airport
Blanchard Mountain Landing Zone-Small Airport
Butler Field-Small Airport
Center Island AirportCWSSmall Airport
Chilliwack AirportYCWSmall Airport
Clam Harbor Airport-Small Airport
Crow Valley Airport-Small Airport
Cutty Field-Small Airport
Cypress Island Airport-Small Airport
Decatur /Jones/ Airport-Small Airport
Decatur Shores AirportDTRSmall Airport
Delta Heritage Air Park-Small Airport
Eliza Island Airport-Small Airport
Floathaven Airstrip-Small Airport
Fort Langley Airport-Small Airport
Hope Airport / FVRD Regional AirparkYHESmall Airport
Horse Fly Airport-Small Airport
Intergalactic Aerodrome-Small Airport
J C's Airport-Small Airport
Kendall Airstrip-Small Airport
Lopez Island AirportLPSSmall Airport
Lynden Airport-Small Airport
Meadow Mist Airport-Small Airport
Mears Field Airport-Small Airport
Pretty Estates Resort Airport-Small Airport
Riverside Airport-Small Airport
Shaw Island AIrport-Small Airport
Sinclair Island Airport-Small Airport
Skagit Regional AirportMVWSmall Airport
West Wind Airport-Small Airport
Wilding Farm Airport-Small Airport
Windsock Airport-Small Airport

Post Offices in Whatcom

1 post offices.

Post OfficeAddress
Sumas Mountain

Treatment Centers in Whatcom

6 treatment centers.

CenterTypePhone
Motionlab
Revive Rehab
Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy
Synergy Rehab
the Apollo Clinic
Worthington Pavilion

Churches & Religious Organizations in Whatcom

2 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Cascade Community Church
New Life Christian Reformed Church

Download Full City Report

Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Whatcom.

Get Report

Frequently Asked Questions About Whatcom

What is the population of Whatcom?

Whatcom has a population of 10,270 residents and is located in British Columbia. The population density is 76 people per square mile, spread across 134.6 square miles.

What is the weather like in Whatcom?

Whatcom has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winter temperatures average 39°F in January, while summers reach an average of 66°F in July. Annual rainfall totals 51.5 inches, with 26.8 inches of snow.

Nearby Cities

Compare Whatcom with another city:

Want every data point for Whatcom?

The full profile puts all sections on one printable page, no tabs.

Full City Profile