Custer is a small community with a few services and I-5 access
Custer rests about midway between Bellingham and the Canadian border. “It’s really small — it’s basically a post office, a church and a little bar and grill that’s been there for years,” says Jim Skerjanc, a broker with HomeSmart One Realty who has lived in Whatcom County his entire life. Its origins date back to the 1890s, when railroads came through, and a community grew up along the tracks. Today, just over 500 people live in Custer, and many have multigenerational ties to the area. Although there are only a few services in the community, access to Interstate 5 allows for easy travel to amenities in neighboring towns.
Early 1900s cottages and newer homes
Tall evergreens dot the edges of the paved roads, and many properties have private driveways and unfenced yards. Some bungalows and cottages were originally built in the early 1900s, and there are also a few newer, ranch-style houses. Site-built residences tend to sell between $390,000 and $660,000. Manufactured homes sometimes sell between $130,000 and $280,000, and those within the Double L Mobile Ranch have about $800 in monthly land lease fees. Heavy rains may lead to flooding along California Creek, and some lenders may require flood insurance. Custer’s CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, well below the national average of 4.
Local schools offer Lummi language and dual-enrollment classes
Children can attend Custer Elementary School, which earns a B-minus on Niche. Horizon Middle School also rates a B-minus, and Ferndale High School gets a B. The middle and high schools both offer Xwlemi Chosen, the language of the Lummi Nation. High school students have the option to take dual-enrollment courses through the University of Washington.
Meeting up at Tony’s Tavern, and a short drive for groceries
Tony’s Tavern is a fourth-generation, family-owned bar and restaurant at the corner of Portal Way and Main Street. It’s the go-to place for meals, drinks and meeting up with friends over the age of 21. During the growing season, locals can shop from the many farms and orchards that surround the community, including Cascade Blueberry Farm, just east of I-5, which sells produce and flowers.
More shopping and dining options are a short drive away. Birch Bay Square, about 2 miles north, has casual, sit-down restaurants and The Market at Birch Bay, a full-service grocery store. Residents periodically head into Bellingham to stock up at Costco or other big-box chains.
The Grandview Golf Course, plus nearby hiking and beach access
Custer’s main recreation space is the 18-hole Grandview Golf Course, which is open to the public. Just a few miles north, the Jensen Family Forest Park has a wooded loop trail, and the Elk Grove Riding Club offers horse training and riding lessons. Birch Bay State Park is less than 10 miles west, with beach access and a campsite. “It’s fun for kids — they can explore and dig for clams,” Skerjanc says. “The water is never going to be really warm, but by August, it’s okay. The sun heats up the rocks, and then the water is really refreshing.”
Interstate 5 links Custer to services in Bellingham
There are Whatcom Transportation Authority bus stops to the north and south of Custer, but the community is car dependent. Interstate 5 connects drivers with Bellingham, about 15 miles southeast, home to Bellingham International Airport and PeaceHealth Northwest Medical Center, a Level II trauma center. Freight tracks run through the center of Custer, and passing trains may slow traffic and be disruptive to residents.
Recent train derailments in the Custer area
In late 2020, a train carrying crude oil derailed near Custer. Teams of volunteers and railroad officials worked to remove the crash debris and the contaminated soil. Nearby wells were tested, and the tests found no contamination. Another derailment happened in 2024, but no spills or leaks were detected.
