$615,638Average Value$330Average Price per Sq Ft75Homes For Sale
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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Written By
Andi Sink
Photography Contributed By
Howard Snyder
Video By
Taylor Gilbert
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Brenda Sweet,
an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Ferndale, WA sell after 60 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Ferndale, WA over the last 12 months is $625,000, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Spacious Craftsman-Style New Construction our flagship plan on a premium corner lot loaded with upgrades. Primary Bedroom suite on the main floor beautifully crafted 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath home. Featuring a spacious open layout with high vaulted ceilings and natural light. This home is perfect for both relaxing and entertaining. Enjoy a well-appointed kitchen with pantry and oversized island
Beautifully restored 1900 Victorian estate lovingly & meticulously renovated over a decade. This one-of-a-kind property is just waiting to be discovered. Major improvements include updated electrical & plumbing, high-efficiency Navien on-demand water heater, two gas furnaces, a jetted spa-like tub, premium Toto toilets, modern foundation, CertainTeed Presidential roof, and newly installed front
A rare opportunity to own nearly 5 private acres in a highly desirable Whatcom County location. Nestled among mature trees and natural surroundings, this unique parcel offers exceptional privacy and a peaceful setting to bring your vision to life. Multiple potential building areas provide flexibility for a custom home, private retreat, or future investment. Enjoy the beauty of nature while
Attractively Priced! Well-maintained 2-story home in desirable Pacific Highlands featuring 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a 2-car garage on a corner lot. Recent updates include brand-new carpet and fresh interior touch-ups, creating a clean, move-in-ready feel. Built in 2005, this home offers a functional open-concept layout with spacious living and dining areas and a kitchen with center island.
Bring your vision to this 1945 farmhouse on 5.83± acres along Ferndale’s Portal Way corridor! This unique property offers something rarely found in a residential setting: room to create a home and lifestyle around your future plans, combined with General Business Commercial (GB) zoning that may provide added flexibility for work-from-home, business or investment opportunities. The vacant 2,280±
Single Family View lot available. Clearing is allowed. 100% NO WETLAND, recon report is complete. Ready to build.Needs some trees and brush removal. Sewer and water, power, cable all in street and 100% available. Sloping lot withbeautiful southern exposure of salt-water, islands and golf course. Excellent build area on lot. Topography is available.Ready to go!! Perfect for a custom built home, or
Nearly 10 Acres of Country Living with HUGE Shop & Cottage. Escape to peaceful country living on beautiful acres. This 3-bedroom, 2-bath home features an open-concept layout with 9-foot ceilings, durable pet-friendly Coretec flooring, and a cozy gas fireplace in the spacious living area. The kitchen shines with stainless steel appliances, a large center island, and an oversized walk-in pantry.
Exceptional 4+ Acre Commercial Land Opportunity! Level, dry, and highly visible 4+ acre parcel positioned near the I-5 Exit 266 interchange in Ferndale. This strategic location offers outstanding accessibility, strong traffic exposure, and convenient access to Bellingham, Canada, and major industrial employers. RR zoning supports a broad range of permitted uses, including retail, office,
Large 2-car garage + lives like a 3-bedroom! Built in 2023, this beautifully designed 2-bedroom plus office, which easily functions and lives like a 3rd bedroom and 2.5-bath townhome, offers a refreshing alternative to the traditional single-family home. Here, you can enjoy the pride of ownership without spending your weekends mowing lawns, maintaining landscaping, painting exterior surfaces, or
Buy One Get One Free! Joy of ownership shines through on this shy one acre estate. The path through the fully fenced, manicured front yard leads to the front door of a well-thought-out, single-story, four-bedroom home. The kitchen is the heart of the home and the view from the kitchen window levels out to a peaceful, park like setting. Escape through the slider to a spacious patio. Ideal for
Welcome to Woods Point, a premier gated 55+ community perfectly situated between Bellingham and Ferndale. This serene enclave offers a lifestyle of ease with a stylish clubhouse, scenic trails, pickleball courts, and professional landscaping all included. Occupying a coveted premium lot with no neighbors to the south or west, this home provides a rare sense of privacy and stunning greenspace
Spacious Ferndale tri-level on a large corner lot directly across from the neighborhood park! This well-cared-for home offers generous living spaces, abundant natural light and a flexible floor plan with room to spread out. The main level features a large living room with gas fireplace, dining area and roomy kitchen with extensive cabinetry and counter space. Upstairs you'll find comfortable
Marketing Remarks Perched atop 5 private acres, this breathtaking estate offers some of the most spectacular Mt. Baker views you'll find anywhere. With 4,224 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space, this exceptional home features 5 bedrooms, a formal dining room, two spacious living areas, and an incredible sunroom where panoramic mountain views steal the show. Mt. Baker can be enjoyed
** Grand Opening Move In Special!! Up to 1 Month Free! **Welcome to Harrington Place — a modern community designed for comfort, convenience, and connection. Residents enjoy stylish apartment features including stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, in-unit washer & dryer, high-quality flooring, and carpeted bedrooms. Community amenities include a fitness room, indoor basketball
Looking for a new home in Ferndale? Look no further than our brand new pet-friendly apartments at Alder Creek!Our modern and spacious apartments are perfect for those who appreciate the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Nestled amidst the stunning natural scenery of Mt. Baker and surrounded by wetlands, our community offers a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of city
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