Deming's location is great for commuters who love getting outside
Deming is a small, half-rural, half-residential community situated on the north bank of the Nooksack River in the foothills of the North Cascade mountains. Located along the Mount Baker Highway, it's about as far away as one can get from Bellingham while still being within easy commuting distance — it's a little less than a half-hour drive from Deming to downtown Bellingham in normal traffic conditions. Consequently, the area attracts homebuyers looking to enjoy access to the Cascades and the various recreational opportunities they contain, without completely giving up urban conveniences. "It's all about getting the balance right," says real estate broker and lifelong resident Julie Brown of Windermere Real Estate. "Out here, you're always just a few minutes away from hiking or paddleboarding or cross-country skiing, but it's not hard to get into town when you need to. It feels remote, but it's not." While many Deming residents commute to Bellingham for work, at least as many work at local schools or shops, or at the Nooksack Indian Tribe administrative offices, which are located in Deming.
A variety of homes by the woods
Early to mid-20th-century bungalows, farmhouses and ranch-style homes make up most of Deming's housing inventory. Many homes in the community come with a bit of acreage or back up onto local forests. Homes generally sell for between $400,000 $700,000, though luxury homes and those on larger parcels can go for considerably more.
Locals can exercise in town parks and hike in the Cascades
Deming Homestead Eagle Park offers hiking along the Nooksack River, while Josh VanderYacht Memorial Park, just south of Deming, has a playground and a basketball court. Anglers and kayakers launch at informal access points along the Nooksack River, which is known for its salmon runs. Extensive hiking trails can be found in and around North Cascades National Park, which has its boundaries less than 20 miles east of Deming. The park's most famous feature, the Mount Baker Ski Area, is just under 40 miles away from Deming, and many residents purchase season passes every winter.
A few shops along Mount Baker Highway
Deming lacks a formal downtown, but a few small shops and restaurants can be found along Mount Baker Highway, near its intersection with Deming Road. The area is home to the Jazz It Up coffee shop and vintage diner Grant's Burgers. Locals looking for a more upscale dining experience can always head down the road to Rifugio's Country Italian Cuisine, which is known for its fine dining and excellent views. The nearest supermarket is Nugents Corner Market, which can be found a couple of miles west of Deming. Residents looking for additional shopping and dining options typically head down to Bellingham.
Mount Baker School District education in Deming
The local public schools are administered by the Mount Baker School District, which has a C on Niche. Harmony Elementary School has a C-plus rating, Mount Baker Junior High School has a C and Mount Baker Senior High has a B-minus. Both junior and senior high schools have their campuses in central Deming. Mount Baker High has the Mount Baker Student Industries program, which raises money for the school by teaching students skills like woodworking, plant breeding and metalworking and then selling their products.
Lumberjack competitions and car races every year
The annual Deming Logging Show, held every June, draws visitors from all over the region. The festival, which was first held in 1963, features nearly two dozen lumberjack-oriented competitions, ranging from axe throwing and chainsaw bucking to speed climbing and, of course, log rolling. The Deming Speedway features a 1/6 mile clay track and hosts a number of dirt track races throughout the year.
Only 15 miles from Bellingham
State Route 542, also known as Mount Baker Highway, links Deming to Bellingham and the Mount Baker Ski Area. It's about 15 miles to Bellingham by car, and about 17 miles to Bellingham International Airport, which offers direct flights to seven locations around the country. There's no public transportation in Deming, and most residents rely on cars to get around.
