Located 15 miles north of Bellingham and 5 miles south of the Canadian border is Lynden, Washington. Lynden is a large valley, formed by the Nooksack River, and much of the surrounding land includes large dairy and berry farms. In almost every measure, from the topography of the land to the developments, the rural property, to the culture, Lynden offers a completely different lifestyle compared to Bellingham.
Lynden is now best known for its Dutch heritage. Dutch settlers were attracted to Lynden near the turn of the century for its attractive farm land. To this day, many of the most influential families and businesses share Dutch roots.
This is a picturesque town, with old charm on the main street, nice restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, and a small-town feel. Lynden is home to the Northwest Washington Fair, which attracts nearly 200,000 attendees every August.
Lynden’s housing is primarily single-family neighborhoods. From the turn-of-the-century homes near downtown to a mix of planned residential developments that have continued to expand the suburban footprint of Lynden. One of the biggest developments is Homestead, which is home to condos, single-family homes, and the Homestead Golf Course. Moving out from the suburbs, Lynden offers farmland, with a major commercial industry. The Lynden area is one of the top producers of raspberries in the country. Lynden even has a Raspberry Festival every July.
There are also major dairy farms, including Edaleen Dairy and Twinbrook Dairy.
Lynden neighborhoods offer a culture of pride of ownership. The city actually has bylaws that require lawns to be maintained, and so it’s rare to see a front yard that is not in good shape. Another key element of this community is Christianity-most of the city partially shuts down on Sundays. Lynden has one of the highest numbers of churches per capita in the country. Lynden also offers the lowest crime rates of any city in Whatcom County.
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Relocating to Lynden, WA
Are you moving to Lynden, WA? Our relocation guide will help you understand what to expect when relocating to this small but growing Whatcom County city.
But before planning your move to Lynden, it helps to become familiar with the city’s location, population, and features. Here is a breakdown of quick stats you need to know.
Did You Know? Lynden, WA, is home to one of the largest Dutch American populations in the U.S.
Lynden, WA Demographics
Location and Population
- Population: 14,281 (2019)
- Distance to Canadian Border: 12 min
- Distance to Seattle, WA: 2 hrs
Business and Income
- Median Income (Household): $66,085
- Median Income (Individual): $33,260
- # of Companies: 846
Education
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 24%
- Some college or associate’s degree: 41%
- * Of 25-64 year-olds, 2019
Housing
- Median Home Price: $479,000
- Average Home Sale Price: $450,000
- Home Appreciation in last 12 months: 8.9%
- Average Dollar Per Square: $233
- Total Housing Units: 5,563
JLS Realtor Insights: Lynden has some excellent traits, including low crime rates, pride of ownership throughout the different neighborhoods, a great selection of newer developments, highly rated schools, a town that has good amenities and rich culture, and home prices of about 10% below the prices in Bellingham.
Possible trade-offs: Lynden is a 20-minute drive to I-5 and nearly 30 minutes to Bellingham, so it’s not as ideal for commuters, particularly those traveling south to the Seattle area often.
Is Lynden, WA Safe?
Lynden is considered a safe city in Washington State. In fact, in 2020, SafeWise rated Lynden the 11th safest city in Washington. The National Council for Home Safety and Security rated Lynden at #12.
With a little over 15 crimes per 1,000 residents (only one of which is a violent crime), Lynden can be called a peaceful town.
Did You Know? Lynden boasts an incredible number of churches: There are 40+ churches within the city limits.
Lynden, WA Local Events:
Raspberry Festival: Thousands of visitors come to Lynden in July to celebrate the largest raspberry harvest in the world. The free event includes other fun activities like a classic car show, food, a 3-on3- basketball tournament, and music.
Northwest Washington Fair: Whatcom County’s only fair, the Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden brings more than 200,000 people to the county each year. Lynden has hosted the event every August since 1909 with few cancelations (2020 was an exception).
Resources:
Colleges and Universities
516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226
3028 Lindbergh Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225
Hospital Nearby
PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center
2901 Squalicum Pkwy, Bellingham, WA 98225
Emergency Room Open 24 Hours
Veterinarians
1919 Front St., Lynden, WA 98264
8880 Benson Rd, Lynden, WA 98264
School District
516 Main St., Lynden, WA 98264
Private Schools
417 Lyncs Drive, Lynden, WA 98264
Parks in Lynden
Lynden City Park
8460 Depot Rd, Lynden, WA 98264
Bender Fields
8770 Bender Rd, Lynden, WA 98264
Patterson Park
725 Judson St, Lynden, WA 98264
Berthusan Park
8837 Berthusen Rd, Lynden, WA 98264
Indian Joe Park
1908 Aaron Dr, Lynden, WA 98264
Centennial Park
319 Grover St, Lynden, WA 98264
Jim Kaemingk, Sr. Trail
503 Brookfield Ct, Lynden, WA 98264
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