$749,018Average Value$569Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
Close-knit neighborhood anchored by community events and projects
Set a few miles north of downtown Bellingham, Columbia is an early 20th-century residential community popular with young families for its namesake elementary school, which is within walking distance for most residents. Known for its close-knit, neighborly atmosphere, Columbia’s main gathering place is Elizabeth Park, home to events like the annual Fourth of July Celebration. Locals can also introduce themselves to passersby on the sidewalk, as most homes are within walking distance of the shops on Meridian Street and local institutions like St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
Early 20th-century Craftsmen Housing
Homes in Columbia were mostly built between 1910 and 1950, including Craftsman bungalows with covered front porches, colorful exteriors and gable trim. Multi-story homes often feature Tudor-inspired elements like steeply pitched cross-gabled roofs and large stone chimneys. Some midcentury ranches are peppered through the community, featuring vinyl or brick exteriors and shingle roofs. Set close together along narrow sidewalk-lined streets, some homes are adorned with native shrubbery and flower gardens, while others feature flat, grassy lots dotted with a mix of pine and maple trees. Home prices mainly depend on how recently the property was renovated, with two-bedroom bungalows selling for between $350,000 and $500,000 and recently refurbished three- to four-bedroom multi-story properties selling for $600,000 to $1 million.
Experience luxury and comfort in these beautifully designed Columbia properties.
Charming homes with all the amenities you desire in these Columbia gems.
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Locally owned restaurants in the Fountain District
While Columbia is almost entirely residential, locally owned shops and businesses line Meridian Street on the neighborhood’s east border, known as the Fountain District. If not within walking distance, Fountain District stores like Earl’s Bike Shop and Cool Beans Coffee Shop are within biking distance for those who want to get around without a car. Established in 1998, Diamond Jim’s Grill serves breakfast and lunch with diner-style décor. At Goods Local Brews, locals can sample craft beer and cider from local breweries in Whatcom County on their outdoor patio. A few blocks west, Dumpling Girls is a local favorite for Chinese pork buns and donuts. For groceries, residents can visit the nearby Haggen.
Zeeks Pizza in Columbia has daily happy hour specials and jazz music on Tuesdays.
After a day of adventure in Columbia, meet up with friends for drinks at Menace Brewing.
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Fourth of July festivities at Elizabeth Park
The Columbia Neighborhood Association is the backbone of the community, organizing neighborhood garage sales and the annual Columbia Fourth of July Celebration. Drawing out residents from all over Columbia, the festivities include a baking contest and games like pie-eating and sack racing. “It’s like a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting,” Lyon says. The annual Chalk Festival, a tradition that began during COVID-19 lockdowns as a way for community members to come together and decorate sidewalks while maintaining safe distances, is now included in the Fourth of July Celebration as well.
Community involvement at Columbia Elementary
Columbia Elementary School, rated B by Niche, is found at the neighborhood’s center. Local families can get involved in their child’s education through the Columbia Parent Association, a very active team of volunteers that helps organize programs like the Science Fair and the End of the Year Family Dance. “It’s nice having a neighborhood school because when you pick up the kids, you can stay and let them play while you get to know the neighbors,” Lyon says. “It’s like a school barbeque every day because we’re all just hanging out.” The B-plus-rated Whatcom Middle offers many after-school activities, including Tunes Club, where kids learn to play traditional Irish music, and the Plastic Art Monster Club, where students make monster sculptures from repurposed plastic waste. Students at the A-rated Bellingham High can take classes in robotics, video production and personal finance.
Columbia Elementary School shapes the minds of youth for a better tomorrow.
Bellingham High School prepares students for graduation and beyond.
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Getting together with neighbors at Elizabeth Park
Elizabeth Park, a wooded enclave of maple, oak, and elm trees, is the central gathering place for Columbia residents within walking distance of the neighborhood’s southeast corner. It features a large bandstand where local musicians play in the summer, along with tennis and pickleball courts. Small pocket parks featuring smaller playgrounds and open fields are dotted around the neighborhood, like Lorraine Ellis Park and Carl Lobe Playground. The 36-acre Squalicum Creek Park is set just west of Columbia and offers a large play area with climbing structures, swings and a zip line.
Dance with friends in the gazebo at Elizabeth Park in Columbia.
Play music with a friend in the gazebo at Elizabeth Park in Columbia.
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Taking the Whatcom County bus downtown
Columbia residents can access Interstate 5 about a mile away, which stretches 92 miles south to Seattle and 33 miles north to the Canadian border. Depending on their location, many residents can walk downtown, less than 2 miles away. Several Whatcom Transportation Authority bus routes pass through Columbia, including Route 15, which runs along Meridian Street, from Whatcom Community College on the north to downtown Bellingham on the south. PeaceHealth Saint Joseph Medical Center is about 2 miles north, while the Bellingham International Airport is about 4 miles northwest.
Connecting with the community through the Little Free Art Gallery
Columbia’s collaborative spirit is displayed in Little Free Art Gallery, a miniature art studio replica built by Katrina Lyon, a local artist and Columbia resident of 15 years. The interactive miniature studio has become wildly popular, allowing both kids and adults to take or leave a small art piece while passing by. “I was just saying to one of my neighbors that I haven’t been great about updating it this past week, and she offered to do errands for me to help. I told her, ‘Well, that’s really nice of you,’ and she said, ‘It’s not nice. It’s about community,’” says Lyon. “That really summarizes the whole area. Everyone is so engaged and generous with their creative talent and time.”
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Columbia, Bellingham sell after 18 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Columbia, Bellingham over the last 12 months is $784,500, up 15% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Experience the perfect blend of comfort, privacy, and versatility in this single-level home, nestled among mature landscaping and set back from the street. Step inside the living room with a cozy wood-burning stove and custom built-ins, and enjoy a generous $5K flooring allowance to personalize your space. The kitchen’s vintage-style range, large skylight, and views to the covered patio invite
Located in the heart of the desirable Columbia Neighborhood is this lovingly restored 1923 Craftsman Bungalow. From the Oak & Fir flooring to the tastefully updated bath, this home exudes style and character. The covered front porch opens into the open living room with a cozy gas fireplace for those chilly nights. New long lasting LVP flooring enhances the light & bright kitchen-complete with a
Two rental properties, or your home and 5 steps to your office! The property consists of a 850 square foot residence with 1 bedroom (small 2nd room could be 2nd bedroom) and one bathroom home, plus a 976 square foot office building in the Fountain/Columbia neighborhood. Seven off street parking spaces. Office has 2 front entrances and could be two units with a shared bathroom. Great location with
Potential abounds! Investors or 1st time home buyers~ Bring your favorite paint color & realize instant equity! This cute 2-bed, 1-bath, 1,022 sq. ft., 1-story home sits on a spacious corner lot in the coveted Columbia neighborhood—Create another revenue stream by building ADU's on the lot? famous for tree-lined streets, historic homes, & a tight-knit community. Only steps from Elizabeth Park’s
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