Small, semi-rural community set along the Nooksack River
Set 10 miles north of Bellingham on Interstate 5, the smaller, quieter community of Ferndale offers vibrant parks and slightly lower housing costs. “Ferndale is really spread out,” says Christine Johnson-Cicchitti, a Ferndale resident and Realtor with Windermere Real Estate. “The inner part of the city is more suburban, but out in the county, you can get 5-to-10-acre pieces with homes.” New construction is going up on the city's outskirts.
Established as a farm town in the late 1800s, Ferndale is still supported by agriculture, but also industrial refineries and an aluminum processing plant. Many residents are employed locally, while others commute to Bellingham and other nearby cities. The Historic Downtown District sits on the banks of the Nooksack River, which runs through town and has been known to flood, especially in winter; as of early 2025, officials are in the early stages of designing an improved levee system.
Ferndale was established as a farm town in late 19th century and is still supported by agriculture.
Ferndale is spread out, with part of the city being more developed and the outskirts offer large plots of land.
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Slightly lower housing costs compared to Bellingham
Ferndale's median home price in early 2025 is $640,000, lower than Bellingham’s $662,000. Early 20th-century cottages are found close to Ferndale’s Historic Downtown District, while late 20th-century ranch-style and new traditional homes are mainly concentrated toward the northwest. Recently built subdivisions, townhouses and condo complexes are popping up continuously around the town’s edges. “The housing market in Ferndale is growing,” Johnson-Cicchitti says. “There’s lots of new development and construction going on.”
Ferndale offers early 20th-century cottages near the Historic Downtown District.
You can find amazing homes with 5 to 10 acre lots great for farming and agriculture in the outskirts of Ferndale.
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Historic buildings and events at Pioneer Park
Pioneer Park was originally established by the Whatcom Old Settlers Association to celebrate the county’s history. Now maintained by the Ferndale Heritage Society, the park includes 12 original log cabins from Whatcom’s earliest days. The annual Old Settlers Picnic takes place here every July, featuring educational events and food vendors, followed by the Pioneer Old Settlers Grand Parade the next day.
Other city parks include the Centennial Riverwalk, a pedestrian promenade along the Nooksack River. The 350-acre Hovander Homestead Park is home to an elevated boardwalk over Tennant Lake, as well as a Fragrance Garden filled with hundreds of plant varieties.
Check out the historic log cabins from the days of Whatcom's earliest days in Pioneer Park in Ferndale.
Ferndale is home to amazing parks such as Pioneer Park that offers fields, playground and more.
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Local restaurants and breweries on Main Street
Ferndale’s Historic Downtown District, set along Main Street, features small local restaurants and bars. Fringe Brewing is an especially popular nightlife spot. On the town’s north side, a few specialty shops and creameries sell cheese and ice cream from local shops. There are chain grocers and fast-food restaurants south of the river, but locals drive into Bellingham for most large retailers.
Fringe Brewing in Ferndale's Historic Downtown District is a very popular nigh spot to hang out.
Come to Main Street in Ferndale and enjoy delicious food and drinks as well as shopping.
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Visiting Bellingham, 10 miles south on Interstate 5
Interstate 5 bisects Ferndale, leading about 10 miles south to Bellingham. Locals can also drive 100 miles south to Seattle or 45 miles north over the border to Vancouver. The Whatcom Transportation Authority operates countywide bus routes in the community. The PeaceHealth Saint Joseph Hospital and Bellingham International Airport are both located in Bellingham, 9 miles and 7 miles away, respectively.
Agriculture programs at Ferndale School District
Ferndale School District earns a B-minus from Niche, serving over 4,500 students. The district's agriculture program includes classes in aquaculture, horticulture and veterinary science, and each school has a Future Farmers of America chapter.
Ferndale High School in the hear of Ferndale, WA offers an agriculture program for young students.
Ferndale is an agricultural hub in the area with berry farms, as well as cattle and more.
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Crime statistics for the Ferndale Police Department
According to the most recent FBI data, the Ferndale Police Department reported a 39% decrease in property crime from 2022 to 2023. Over the same period, violent crime increased about 28%.
Flooding along the Nooksack River
Ferndale’s climate can be rainy in the spring and snowy in the winter, with mild sunny summers. There’s a high risk of flooding along the Nooksack River, though residential areas are rarely affected. Development within the floodplain is often restricted, and the Ferndale city website has resources on how homeowners can prepare for the winter flood season.
Ferndale experienced a major flood in 2021, which led city officials to partner with Whatcom County and the State of Washington to rebuild and strengthen the city’s levee system. The project is still in the design stages, and no construction timeline has been announced as of early 2025. The city also has plans to reconstruct part of the downtown district on Main Street: repairing flood damage, expanding sidewalks and improving the stormwater system. Construction on the Main Street project is expected to begin in 2025.
The Nooksak River cuts through Ferndale and has always been a high risk of flooding for the area.
Ferndale experienced a major flood in recent years, and strengthen their levee system to avoid future issues.
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