Sunnyland
Neighborhood in Bellingham, Washington
Whatcom County 98225
Craftsman properties from the late 19th and early 20th centuries
In Sunnyland’s northern half, residential streets are laid out on a grid, and single-family homes built between 1900 and 1930 are set close together on small lots; most are Craftsman bungalows on raised foundations, with overhanging roofs that feature gable trim. Garages are a rarity, so most residents park in their gravel driveways or on the street. Most yards are shaded by mature maple and fir trees and overgrown shrubbery, and some residents plant their own vegetable gardens. Well-maintained properties with two to four bedrooms range from $500,000 to $850,000, while fixer-uppers range from $250,000 to $450,000.
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Monuments at Memorial Park and pocket playgrounds
Memorial Park, the largest greenspace in Sunnyland, honors fallen Bellingham veterans with an engraved stone monument. The park is lined by Interstate 5 and has large grass fields shaded by mature maple trees. At the neighborhood’s center, Sunnyland Park has a large playground with swings. Smaller pocket parks line Cornwall Avenue on the neighborhood’s west side, including the Cornwall Tot Lot, which has a fenced-in toddler-sized play structure with interactive musical elements like drums.
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Fundraisers, clubs and athletics at local Bellingham schools
Sunnyland Elementary, which earns a B rating from Niche, moved in 2022 into a brand-new building with eco-friendly solar panels. The school’s volunteer-led PTA organizes events for students and local families, including talent shows and field days, while fundraising for field trips and assemblies. “There's so much community built around the elementary school,” Braimes says. “It’s a great presence with the younger families.” The B-plus-rated Whatcom Middle, named for Bellingham's original Whatcom Settlement, features after-school activities like the Dungeons and Dragons Club. The A-rated Bellingham High has over a dozen seasonal athletic programs, including a privately sponsored sailing club in the fall and spring. Private school options include Assumption Catholic School, established in 1913 in association with the local Church of the Assumption.
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Sunnyland festivals in July and September
Held each July, Sunnyland Stomp is a community-wide event where locals can set up “Stomp Stops” at homes and businesses across the neighborhood; attendees can travel from stop to stop, enjoying games, art, music and more. Sunnyland Fest is a pub-crawl-style celebration where participating local breweries issue punch cards for a week in September; once a punch card is full, it can be used to enter a raffle for gift cards and other swag. The Sunnyland Neighborhood Association organizes smaller local events, including an annual community-wide yard sale in June, and a Memorial Day Ceremony at Memorial Park with a color guard, laying of wreaths and a 21-gun salute.Getting around using bike lanes on major roads
Sunnyland is bordered east by Interstate 5, which leads 89 miles south to Seattle and 37 miles north to the Canadian border. Major neighborhood roadways like Alabama Street, Cornwall Avenue and James Street are lined with bike lanes and wide sidewalks, enabling residents to travel car-free to breweries and restaurants. Whatcom Transportation Authority operates several bus routes in Sunnyland, with many stops on James Street and Cornwall Avenue. PeaceHealth Saint Joseph Medical Center is about 2 miles north, while Bellingham International Airport is about 5 miles northwest.Breweries housed in rustic old industrial centers
Casual eateries and consignment shops line James Street on Sunnyland’s east side. Avenue Bread’s flagship café offers sandwiches and salads with lots of indoor seating where locals can get together for lunch, while Coconut Kenny’s, a Washington chain, serves pan-style pizza and sub sandwiches with tropical getaway-themed décor. Grocery options include a Trader Joe’s and Youngstock’s Nursery & Produce, a seasonal stand selling fresh fruits and vegetables in the summer.Local breweries have all but taken over Sunnyland’s south side, occupying old industrial buildings. “There's sort of a bottomless thirst for craft breweries in Bellingham,” Braimes says. Twin Sisters Brewing Company is one of the most popular spots, serving craft selections like the Bellingham Green IPA, and offering a beer garden and shaded outdoor picnic tables. Some side streets near the breweries can become congested during busy hours, making parking difficult; however, this has been alleviated somewhat by the creation of more designated parking and the addition of bike lanes.
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Written By
Emma Hadley
Photography Contributed By
Jake Chaplin
Video By
Victoria York
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Ashleigh Abhold
Ashleigh Abhold
Hansen Group Real Estate Inc
(360) 685-8093
133 Total Sales
1 in Sunnyland
$450,000 Price
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Sean Hackney
Sean Hackney
NextHome Northwest Living
(360) 685-7871
81 Total Sales
2 in Sunnyland
$800K - $885K Price Range
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Donita Dickinson
Donita Dickinson
Donita Dickinson RE, Inc
(425) 650-2892
49 Total Sales
1 in Sunnyland
$619,000 Price
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Ryan Kent Smith
Ryan Kent Smith
John L. Scott Anacortes
(360) 979-1326
94 Total Sales
1 in Sunnyland
$450,000 Price
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Chris Erdmann
Chris Erdmann
eXp Commercial, LLC
(360) 685-1413
77 Total Sales
1 in Sunnyland
$2,145,000 Price
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Rob Weston
Rob Weston
Windermere Real Estate Whatcom
(360) 594-3997
165 Total Sales
1 in Sunnyland
$332,000 Price
Schools
Source:
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 5th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Cornwall Park
Maritime Heritage Park
Elizabeth Park
Zuanich Point Park
Memorial Park
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Sunnyland | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 4 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 4 | 4 |
| Robbery | 4 | 4 |
| Burglary | 6 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 6 | 4 |
| Larceny | 6 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Sunnyland Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Sunnyland, Bellingham sell after 21 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Sunnyland, Bellingham over the last 12 months is $625,000, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$619,000
Median Sale Price
$625,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$600,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
26
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
4%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$509
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
894
Number of Homes for Sale
5
Median Year Built
1924
Months of Supply
2.30
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,270
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,791
Open Houses
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Saturday, Jun 1411am - 1pm
$625,000
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,052 Sq Ft
- 613 E Illinois St
- New 3 days ago
Sunnyland Home + Garage & ADU! This bright 2-BR Bungalow is packed w/ charm & upgrades throughout the thoughtfully designed space. Enjoy an abundance of natural light streaming in on every side. Efficient galley kitchen, fresh color palette & one-level layout make it instantly welcoming. Features include a dedicated utility room w/washer/dryer/sink, on-demand water heater, updated wiring/service
Brandon Nelson COMPASS
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Sunday, Jun 1512 - 2pm
$600,000
- 2 Beds
- 1 Bath
- 1,177 Sq Ft
- 420 E Connecticut St
- New 12 days ago
Take a step back in time and marvel at this perfectly maintained single level gem in Sunnyland! Situated on a corner lot, this little charmer has all you need. Tear out the carpet and find oak floors! Huge living room with a fireplace and enough room for a formal dining area. The two generous bedrooms also have oak floors under the carpet and the original bathroom has an awesome pink tub! The
Jennifer Glyzinski Keller Williams Western Realty
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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$300,000
- Land
- 4,791 Sq Ft Lot
- 607 E Illinois St
- New 3 days ago
Prime location in Sunnyland, this fully surveyed, shovel-ready, flat building lot is perfect for the custom or spec builder. All utilities to the site, as it was short-platted several years ago for a planned Single Family Home with ADU. COB states they will allow up to 3000 sq. ft. of impervious on this site. Adjacent new construction is complete, this is the last available lot. Asphalt road with
Brandon Nelson COMPASS
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$575,000
- 3 Beds
- 1 Bath
- 962 Sq Ft
- 2226 King St
- New 3 days ago
Sunnyland charmer with paint and roof just a few years old in the heart of it all. This 3 bed 1 bath home with tons of updates including a complete remodel from the studs out in 2005 is now ready for new owners! Nothing to do here but move in and make your own personal touches on this little gem. The kitchen has a great eating bar, stainless steel appliances and flows nicely to the living room.
Jason Loeb Windermere Real Estate Whatcom
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$528,000
- 2 Beds
- 1 Bath
- 890 Sq Ft
- 2008 Iron St
- New 23 days ago
This charming 1910 Craftsman is ideally located on the edge of the Sunnyland neighborhood. Walk to Trader Joes, breweries, schools, coffee shops, restaurants, everything is close! While currently only used as a residence, the property is conveniently zoned with a commercial component giving the flexibility to live and work on site. This 890 SF single-story home features 2 bedrooms and 1 full
Cerise Noah Windermere Real Estate Whatcom
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
2,193
Median Age
39
Population Density
6 ppl/acre
Population under 18
20.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.5%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$80,342
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$94,831
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
95%
College Graduates
53.8%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
26.5%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
71.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
34''
Average Winter Low Temperature
34°F
Average Summer High Temperature
73°F
Annual Snowfall
2''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
85
/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
90
/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
45
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Cornwall Park
Home to PeaceHealth Saint Joseph Medical Center, Bellingham's only hospital
Lettered Streets
Densely packed residential and historic area near downtown Bellingham
Roosevelt
Mostly residential neighborhood set along I-5 with some industrial uses
City Center
Bellingham's downtown district packed with dining and entertainment options
Alabama Hill
Residential community built on a small hill next to Lake Whatcom
Columbia
Neighborly community with lots of events and opportunities to get involved
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