Bellingham, WA

Bellingham Metro Area industry wages have increased by 11.2% percent since 2001

2007-03-19T00:31:00.000-07:00

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Since 2001, industry wages increased in the Bellingham Metro Area by a total of 11.2%. This is greater than the growth in industry wages for the State of Washington and less than the growth in industry wages across the US.

About: These facts are part of the eCanned.com Industry Analysis Series.

Datasource: U.S. Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW). Private Sector Employment Only.

Bellingham Metro Area Industry Wages Lag Behind Washington, and Wages Lag Behind the United States Industry Wages

2007-02-27T21:34:00.000-08:00

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Total wages in all industries in Bellingham, WA can be understood as being medium-low when compared to other Metro Areas throughout the US in the 2nd quarter of 2006. The industry wages are 26.3 percent lower than the state, which was reported to be $41,025. The industry pay was less than the industry average in the US of $40,259.

About: These facts are part of the eCanned.com Industry Analysis Series.

Datasource: U.S. Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW). Private Sector Employment Only.

Bellingham Five-Year Industry Employment Change

2007-02-11T13:03:00.000-08:00

Given the 140 industry sectors (4-digit NAICS) with employment figures reported by the BLS in each quarter, 37 described an expansion of jobs throughout the time period, while 103 industry sectors accounting for employment declines during that time period.

Total Five-Year Employment Decline in the Bellingham Metro Area

From of the area's 4-digit NAICS industries, the Employment services industry has lost the most employment with a total loss of 236 jobs during the time period. The jobs lost in the Employment services industry make up 12.8 percent of the total employment decline in Bellingham, WA.

Top 5 Industries
1. Employment services (236 jobs lost)
2. Professional and similar organizations (175 jobs lost)
3. Seafood product preparation and packaging (146 jobs lost)
4. Bakeries and tortilla manufacturing (128 jobs lost)
5. Gasoline stations (124 jobs lost)

Total Five-Year Employment Growth in the Bellingham Metro Area

The Limited-service eating places industry has accounted the most employment growth with a total of 703 total jobs brought in during the period. The growth in the Limited-service eating places industry makes up 6.3 percent of the total number of new jobs in Bellingham.

Top 5 Industries
1. Limited-service eating places (703 new jobs)
2. Special food services (637 new jobs)
3. Offices of physicians (568 new jobs)
4. Residential building construction (466 new jobs)
5. Building finishing contractors (434 new jobs)

In the Bellingham, WA metro area, the entire sum of jobs in all of the industries has increased by 9,411 jobs between mid-2001 and mid-2006.

The Bellingham Metro Area: Five-Year Percentage Decline in Employment

The Specialized design services industry has lost the largest amount of employment in terms of percentage, losing 64.9 percent of the jobs from 2001 to 2006. These have declined faster than the industry sector has felt in the State of Washington, where the industry sector experienced a loss of 1.9 percent. The losses in the Specialized design services industry in Bellingham outpaced the US in terms of percent of decline of industry employment. The US gained 4.5 in percent of jobs in the Specialized design services industry.

Top 5 Industries
1. Specialized design services (64.9 percent decline)
2. Bakeries and tortilla manufacturing (56.6 percent decline)
3. Nondepository credit intermediation (50.1 percent decline)
4. Printing and related support activities (45.6 percent decline)
5. Specialized freight trucking (38.9 percent decline)

Employment for all industries has increased by 16.6 percent since the 2nd Quarter figures of 2001. This change is greater than percent in Washington, which experienced a gain of 5.3 percent from 2001 (2nd Quarter). The gains in the area were greater than than the gain reported at the US level of 2.6 percent.

The Bellingham Metro Area: Five-Year Percentage Growth in Employment

The Special food services industry has seen the largest percentage job growth, expanding by 849.3 percent from the 2001 (Q2) to the 2006 (Q2). This industry in Bellingham has increased employment faster than the industry job growth experienced in Washington, where it saw a gain of 25.2 percent. The Special food services industry in Bellingham outpaced the nation in terms of industry employment growth . During this period, the nation gained 5.3 percent in this industry.

Top 5 Industries
1. Special food services (849.3 percent gain)
2. Software publishers (287.2 percent gain)
3. Other miscellaneous manufacturing (236.2 percent gain)
4. Druggists' goods merchant wholesalers (211.8 percent gain)
5. Office administrative services (211.6 percent gain)

Bellingham One-Year Industry Employment Change

2007-01-24T08:23:00.000-08:00

The Bellingham Metro Area: One-Year Percentage Growth in Employment

The Animal slaughtering and processing industry has witnessed the largest percentage of employment expansion, increasing by 75.8 percent from 2005 to 2006. This industry in Bellingham has grow faster than the industry has grown in the State of Washington, where the industry took a gain of 2.2 percent. The Animal slaughtering and processing industry in Bellingham outpaced the United States, which experienced a gained 0.1 percent.

Top 5 Industries
1. Animal slaughtering and processing (75.8 percent gain)
2. Support activities for water transportation (46.6 percent gain)
3. Other fabricated metal product manufacturing (45.9 percent gain)
4. Sugar and confectionery product manufacturing (40.3 percent gain)
5. Shoe stores (33.0 percent gain)

Employment for all industries has increased by 2 percent from 2005 (2nd Quarter). These figures are less than growth in Washington, experiencing a gain of 3.6 percent from 2005 (2nd Quarter). The gains in the area were equal to than the gain felt at the national level of 2 percent.

The Bellingham Metro Area: One-Year Percentage Decline in Employment

The Support activities for air transportation industry has seen the largest percentage drop in employment, losing 38.3 percent of the jobs from 2005 to 2006. These have declined faster than the industry has experienced in the State of Washington, where the industry felt a gain of 7.4 percent. The losses in the Support activities for air transportation industry in Bellingham outpaced the United States industry losses overall. During this period, the United States gained 5.3 percent in terms of employment in the Support activities for air transportation industry.

Top 5 Industries
1. Support activities for air transportation (38.3 percent decline)
2. Employment services (38 percent decline)
3. Medical and diagnostic laboratories (37.3 percent decline)
4. Clothing stores (33.3 percent decline)
5. Lumber and const. supply merchant wholesalers (22.8 percent decline)

Total One-Year Employment Decline in the Bellingham Metro Area

From of the area's 4-digit NAICS industries, the Employment services industry faced the greatest employment loss with a total loss of 362 jobs in that time period. The declines in the Employment services industry make up 20.9 percent of the employment lost during the period in Bellingham, WA.

Top 5 Industries
1. Employment services (362 jobs lost)
2. Clothing stores (321 jobs lost)
3. Fruit and tree nut farming (132 jobs lost)
4. Nonresidential building construction (101 jobs lost)
5. Cattle ranching and farming (86 jobs lost)

Out of the 157 industries (4-digit NAICS) with sufficient data reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in each quarter, 51 described an expansion of jobs throughout the time period, while 103 industries reported employment loss in the period.

In the Bellingham, WA metro area, the total number of jobs throughout all industries has increased by 1,295 jobs between mid-2005 and mid-2006.

Total One-Year Employment Growth in the Bellingham Metro Area

The Limited-service eating places industry has accounted the most employment growth with a total of 211 employees finding new jobs in the industry. The employment growth in the Limited-service eating places industry makes up 7.5 percent of the growth in Bellingham.

Top 5 Industries
1. Limited-service eating places (211 new jobs)
2. Building finishing contractors (136 new jobs)
3. Traveler accommodation (126 new jobs)
4. Individual and family services (97 new jobs)
5. Grocery stores (96 new jobs)

About: This report is part 1 of 6 in the eCanned.com Industry Analysis Series.

Datasource: U.S. Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW). Private Sector Employment Only.

Income and Poverty in Bellingham, WA

2007-01-11T14:03:00.000-08:00

The household income has declined from the inflation-adjusted values in 2000. The income level has decreased to $44,248, representing a 5.5 percent decline. The Bellingham, WA MSA, when comparing total percent of decline, ranks 4 of 5 metro area in percent of decline for income levels in the State of Washington. Bellingham ranks 171 of 233 metro area in terms of the decline in median income in the US.

While household income level experienced a decline during the period of 2000 to 2005 in the Bellingham, WA metro area, the Race/Ethnicity category that felt the biggest decline in median household income was the American Indian and Alaska Native Race/Ethnicity category. This group experienced a decline of 37.3 percent since 2000. The Asian population category was least influenced by the median household income decline in Bellingham, experiencing a 10.3 percent increase in median income, since the values reporting the 2000 Decennial Census.

When put side-by-side with other Metros throughout the United States, the Bellingham metro area may be understood as having a medium-high rate of poverty among the people, accounting a rate of 14.2 percent of the individuals existing in families with incomes under the poverty level in 1999. The Black or African American race/ethnicity population cohort, has the uppermost poverty rate with 29.5 percent of the population in 2000 living in poverty. Individuals aged 5 years are witness to the most percent living in poverty in Bellingham, with 21.3 percent of this age cohort living in poverty.

The poverty rate in the Bellingham, WA Metro has declined by 0.5 percent since the 2000 rates, moving from 14.2 percent to 13.7 percent.

According to the 2000 Census, the Asian headed households in the area have median household incomes of $36,406. This median income level is 22.2 percent less than the reported median for all households in the area. The households that were headed by an American Indian and Alaska Native individual in Bellingham reported an income level of $37,318, this level was 20.3 percent less than the median level for total households in the area. In Bellingham, WA White householders had a median household income (in 2005 Dollars) of $47,556 as reported in 2000 by the census, which was 1.6 percent greater than the median in 2000. Black or African American householders reported household income levels that were 7.4 percent less than the overall reported level in 2000, with a reported median of $43,326. Hispanic in Bellingham, WA , as reported in 2000, had a median household income of $36,192, this median household income is 22.7 percent less than the median reported for all households in the area.

Compared to Metro Areas across the United States, the Bellingham metro area accounted a medium-high household income of $46,806 (2005 Dollars). The income level is 14.4 percent lower than the median in Washington of $53,558 and the median household income is 5 percent lower than the median household income level in the US of $49,133.

Datasource: U.S. Bureau of the Census. 2000 Decennial Census. 2005 American Community Survey.

Higher Education in the Bellingham, WA Metro Area

2006-12-19T18:00:00.000-08:00

In the Bellingham, WA Metro Area according the 2005 American Community Survey, 33.6 percent of the White Alone, . percent of Black or African American, . percent of the Asian alone and 9 percent of the Hispanic or Latino population (over 25) has obtained a Bachelors Degree or Higher.

Bellingham, WA Metro Area has a highly-educated 2005 population, with 32.2 percent of the over 25 years old population having a Bachelors Degree or Higher, according to the 2005 American Community Survey. The Bellingham MSA was reported to have a higher percent of individuals with higher educations than the State of Washington's proportion of 30.2 percent and a higher percent than the US proportion of 27.2 percent.

From the year 2000, the Bellingham metro area has increased in the percent of the population that is over the age of 25 with a BA or Higher. This population cohort has grown by 5.0 percent to a total of 32.2 percent in 2005. According to the American Community Survey, the proportion of the population in 2005 with a BA or Higher is greater than the State of Washington percent of 30.2 and greater than the US percent of 27.2.

From the years 2000 to 2005, the proportion of the male population that could be considered highly educated has increased by 3.2 percent. By 2005, 32.2 percent of the total male population, in the area, has obtained at least a Bachelors Degree. From 2000 to 2005, the percent of women with a Bachelors or Higher has increased by a total of 6.2 percent. By 2005, a total of 32.2 percent of the women in the population had received a Bachelors Degree or Higher.

Reported by the 2005 American Community Survey in the Bellingham, WA Metro Area, the largest educational attainment category for men is the Some College or Associates Degree category, with 33.8 percent receiving this level of education. The women in the Bellingham metro area have on average achieved a greater level of higher education (Bachelors Degree or Higher) than the male population-- 32.2 percent (Men) versus 32.2 percent (Women). A high proportion of the female population in the area has reached the Some College or Associates Degree category, with 34 percent of the women population in the area achieving this level of education.

Datasource: U.S. Bureau of the Census. 2000 Decennial Census. 2005 American Community Survey.

Demographic Profile for Bellingham, WA

2006-12-02T21:06:00.000-08:00

The Bellingham metro area had a population that was estimated at 183,471 in the year 2005. The population has increased sharply, since the population in 2000 of 167,631. This growth represents an increase of 9.4 percent. Bellingham ranks 5 of 10 MSAs when calculating total change in population for Washington and the metro area ranks 130 of 361 metro areas when analyzing total MSA population change across the nation.

In 2005, the Census Bureau estimated the median age in the Bellingham metro area to be 35.7 years of age. The median age in Bellingham is less than the median in Washington of 36.7. From 2000, the area has seen an increase in this median, when at that time it was 34.0 years old. With 38.2 percent of the population in 2005 being comprised of children and youth younger than 18, Bellingham can be understood as being made up of a relatively high percent of individuals under 18. The working age population group (18-64) has a medium-low representation within the estimated 2005 area population, making up 58.6 percent of the population within the age group. People 65 and older make up 11.2 percent of the total population in the area. Compared to other metro areas in the US, this represents a medium-low proportion of the area population base.

When measuring the total land area, the Bellingham metro area covers a total land area of 2120 total square miles. The area has a medium-low average area density of 87 persons per square mile, in 2005. Similar metro areas, in terms of density, in the US include: -- more densely populated -- Texarkana (89 per sq. mile ), College Station-Bryan (90 per sq. mile ), Charlottesville (90 per sq. mile ), -- less densely populated -- Winchester (86 per sq. mile ), Albuquerque (86 per sq. mile ), Longview (85 per sq. mile ).

The Bellingham metropolitan statistical area (MSA) has a population that is made of 85.2 percent White, 0.7 percent African American, 3.3 percent Asian, and 5.9 percent Hispanic. The area population base can be described as having a modest level of diversity in terms of race and ethnicity, with 9.9 percent minorities. This is less than the State of Washington percent of 18.3. Since 2000, Bellingham has increased the level of diversity when 8.7 percent of the total population were minorities.

Estimated since the year 2000, a high amount of people have migrated into the Bellingham metro area, with 3,425 people migrating in internationally. The migration from outside the US into Bellingham makes up 2.6 percent of immigration into the State of Washington. This percent of immigration can be considered high when analyzed against the base population in the year 2005 and compared to other metro areas across the US.

Datasource: Population Estimates Program, U.S. Bureau of the Census.

Housing Report for Bellingham

2006-11-11T22:41:00.000-08:00

The residential home values in Bellingham, Washington have seen large increases from the housing values in 2000. The residential values have increased by $92,700, or 59.5 percent, from 2000 when they had reported median values of $155,700.

In Bellingham, there were a total of 82,934 homes in 2005. The metro area has experienced a medium-high growth level in the number housing units, adding all together 7,112 housing units since the year 2001, or 9.4 percent.

It can be understood that there is a limited amount of housing that is affordable in Bellingham, Washington. In 2005, only 9.6 percent of residential real estate was valued under $125,000.

Bellingham recorded a median home value in 2005 of $248,400, accounted by the American Community Survey. This median is greater than the State of Washington 2005 home median value of $227,700 and greater than home value of $167,500 across the United States during the same year.

Throughout the State of Washington, Bellingham stands 2 of the 10 metro areas by percentage growth in residential real estate. The metro area is positioned 71 of 361, comparing the percentage change in residential real estate in other US MSAs.

Bellingham can be understood as having a relatively high proportion of residential real estate that is high priced. During the year 2005, the American Community Survey reported that 10.7 percent of owner-occupied dwellings were valued over a half a million dollars.

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Employment Report for Bellingham, Washington -- Annual 2005 Industry Summary

2006-11-04T21:56:00.000-08:00

A well-paying sector in Bellingham is the utilities industry with wages that annually pay $56,922. Locally, since the year 2001, the annual average wages in the industry have declined by 0.3 percent or $167. The State of Washington shows a similar economic condition in the utilities industry, ranking near the top of sectors according to average 2004 industry pay.

Mining saw the biggest increase in jobs since the year 2001 in Bellingham, changing a total of 52.9 percent. This is greater than the industry job change at the national level of 4.7 percent. The State of Washington faced a industry job change of -0.3 percent, from 2001 to 2005.

In Bellingham, Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, Construction and Arts, entertainment, and recreation industries have the highest United States location quotient (LQ). The Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industry has an LQ of 4.22. This means the percent of total employment in the Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industry is 4.22 times greater than the US average, showing signs that Bellingham may specialize, or be an exporter of Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting.

In Bellingham, Retail Trade, Health care and social assistance, and the Manufacturing industries have the largest percent of jobs of all industries. The Retail Trade is the largest employment industry and makes up 15.4 percent of all jobs throughout the region, totaling 10,010 employees. The Health care and social assistance and Manufacturing industries make up 12.9 and 12.8 percent of the total jobs, respectively.

Mining has the largest businesses in Bellingham MSA, with the industry averaging 33 jobs per place of business. This is greater than the industry's average at the national level of 21 and greater than the State of Washington average establishment size of 19 for the Mining industry.

Datasource: U.S. Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW).