Kendall offers rural living between Bellingham and Mt. Baker
Kendall is a quiet, rural community in the North Fork Nooksack River Valley. There are a few local services, and its location, about midway between Bellingham and Mount Baker, provides residents with access to city amenities and outdoor recreation. For homebuyers, “It’s literally one of the only places in Whatcom County that still has some affordable housing,” says Jim Skerjanc, a broker with HomeSmart One Realty who has lived in Whatcom County for his entire life.
Outdoor recreation near Kendall
“One of the best things about living in Kendall is that you’re only about 30 minutes from Mount Baker,” Skerjanc says. "In the summer, you can go hiking and mountain biking. In the winter, there’s snowboarding and snowmobiling.” Closer recreation areas include Silver Lake Park, less than 10 miles away, which is a popular destination for camping, canoeing and fishing. Just east of Maple Falls, there’s an access point for the North Fork Nooksack River. “Certain times of the year, you can’t be in the river because of salmon spawning, but most of the year, it’s great for fishing,” Skerjanc says. “The depth varies — sometimes it’s good for kayaking, and at other times, you can just float.” Another local resource is the Kendall Community Library, which holds children’s story times, history lectures and teen game nights. The library also periodically hosts cultural events and summer concerts.
Relative affordability is spurring new construction
The majority of houses rest near the northern end of the community, where curving streets wind around the base of Red Mountain. “There were a lot of older, manufactured homes, but people are tearing them out and replacing them with new houses,” Skerjanc says. “Lots are pretty big, so there’s plenty of space to build.” Owners maintain their own septic systems, and most houses are connected to community water.
Manufactured homes may sell between $180,000 and $340,000, and site-built houses tend to go from $310,000 to $440,000. Residences on multiacre lots sometimes sell between $450,000 and $800,000. Kendall’s median sale price in mid-2025 was just under $400,000, which is significantly lower than Bellingham’s figure of around $670,000. The community’s CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, well below the national average of 4.
Progressing from Kendall Elementary to schools in Deming
Children may begin learning at Kendall Elementary School, which is located in Kendall and earns a C-minus on Niche. Students can continue their learning in Deming, where the C-rated Mount Baker Junior High School and B-minus-rated Mount Baker Senior High School share a complex. The high school offers extracurricular sports and activities, including marching band, Future Farmers of America and drama club.
Kendall Market carries basics, many residents stock up in Bellingham
The Kendall Market stocks a limited range of groceries, and it offers prepared foods, including breakfast burritos and burgers. From June through October, the Twin Sister Mobile Market sells fresh produce, locally made honey and baked goods from the library parking lot. A few miles south is the North Fork Brewery, which serves craft beer and specialty pizzas. The closest grocery stores are in Abbotsford, British Columbia, about 15 miles northwest, but most people do their shopping in Bellingham. Bellingham has a variety of restaurants, as well as retail options ranging from boutique clothing stores to big-box retailers.
Bus and car travel to Bellingham
There are several Whatcom Transportation Authority bus stops in Kendall, and the buses travel to and from Bellingham, about 30 miles away. Drivers can follow Mount Baker Highway into Bellingham. “It’s a straight shot and the road is relatively flat the whole way,” Skerjanc says. Bellingham is home to PeaceHealth Northwest Medical Center and Bellingham International Airport, which offers flights through Alaska Airlines, San Juan Airlines and Allegiant Air.
Kendall faces natural hazards but has local emergency support
The region faces some environmental risks, including the potential for wildfires and landslides. The volunteer-run Whatcom County Fire District 14, in Kendall, manages the risk of fires and offers first aid and emergency transportation.
