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Lynden

Lynden

Located in Whatcom County

$635,142 Average Value
$340 Average Price per Sq Ft
54 Homes For Sale

A European village in the heart of northwest Washington

Driving down Front Street in Lynden feels like being transported to a small village in the Dutch countryside without leaving the United States. This city of about 16,000 people is in northwest Washington, about 100 miles north of Seattle, 15 miles north of Bellingham and 5 miles south of the Canada border. "It's a small-town community, but at the same time, it has restaurants and schools," says Jim Skerjanc, a broker with HomeSmart One Realty who grew up in Lynden. "It's in the middle of farmland and has incredible views of the Canadian mountains and Mt. Baker."

Incorporated in 1891, Lynden had an influx of Dutch settlers in the early 20th century. That heritage is evident today through the architecture on Front Street, local Dutch cuisine and annual events like Holland Days. The city has a long history of agriculture, and several farms around the area still produce berries, dairy and potatoes. Other industries like education and manufacturing have supported the city and have some of the largest employers in Whatcom County, including Lynden School District and Lynden Door Inc. Religion has played a significant role in the city's history, with several congregations of Reformed churches opening as Dutch settlers moved in.

Lynden residents head to Front Street for local Dutch cuisine, annual events, and more.
Lynden residents head to Front Street for local Dutch cuisine, annual events, and more.
Lynden Door helps support the city of Lynden by employing many of its residents.
Lynden Door helps support the city of Lynden by employing many of its residents.
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Lynden offers a century's worth of housing styles

Homes in Lynden range from early 19002 cottages and bungalows to 21st-century contemporary Craftsman houses. Several styles exist in between, mainly midcentury ranch-style homes. The city is primarily suburban, with many lots having 7,000 square feet or more. The median home price is about $610,000, higher than the national median and up by 2% over the past year. Houses in Lynden typically cost less than those in the nearby cities of Bellingham and Everson. According to Skerjanc, Lynden is one of the only communities in Whatcom County with land available for development, so new construction is common. Most new homes are in the eastern and southern parts of the city, in subdivisions like River Walk.

Make lasting memories in a Lynden bungalow surrounded by nature.
Make lasting memories in a Lynden bungalow surrounded by nature.
21st-century contemporary Craftsman homes are a popular choice in Lynden.
21st-century contemporary Craftsman homes are a popular choice in Lynden.
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A taste of Dutch culture at Lynden shops and restaurants

Front Street is the main commercial corridor in Lynden, home to small businesses, including shops and restaurants. The architecture has a Dutch theme, with a giant windmill greeting visitors at the corner of Front and 7th Streets and decorative facades adorning the buildings. Restaurants along the strip include pubs, bistros and bakeries, while stores offer games, home goods and jewelry. More shopping centers on the city's west side include hardware stores, chain restaurants and supermarkets like Safeway and Food Pavilion. Several local farms offer pick-your-own fruit and sell raspberries and strawberries at local roadside stands. More shopping and dining is just south of the city in Bellingham.

Meet some friends for a drink at Rustlers Front Street Grill in Lynden.
Meet some friends for a drink at Rustlers Front Street Grill in Lynden.
Lynden residents head to Safeway for all their grocery needs and more.
Lynden residents head to Safeway for all their grocery needs and more.
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Celebrating heritage at Lynden events

The Farmers Day Parade honors the area's agriculture industry with a mix of cars, tractors, trucks and horses on Front Steet each June. The Northwest Raspberry Festival celebrates Lynden's status as one of the largest producers of raspberries in the country, with farm tours, live music, wine tastings and vendors each July. Dutch culture takes the stage on the first weekend in May at Holland Days, and the city hosts the Northwest Washington Fair every August.

Enjoying the outdoors of northwestern Washington

Lynden has 10 city parks offering a variety of outdoor activities. They range from City Park's tranquil picnic and playground setting to the lively soccer and baseball facilities at Bender Fields. Berthusen Park is a former homestead with hiking trails through old-growth forest, a shooting range, and a remote-control plane field. Mt. Baker is about 50 miles east of Lynden and has several hiking trails, campgrounds and a ski resort.

Lynden residents enjoy playing soccer and baseball at Bender Fields.
Lynden residents enjoy playing soccer and baseball at Bender Fields.
Take your family to the fun playground at Lynden City Park in Lynden.
Take your family to the fun playground at Lynden City Park in Lynden.
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Public and private school options in Linden

Lynden School District serves approximately 3,500 students and gets a B rating from Niche. The district has three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Lynden High School offers several career and technical education pathways, including agriculture, human services, health sciences and skilled and technical programs. Lynden Christian School is a kindergarten through 12th-grade private school with an enrollment of about 1,300 students. It also gets a B from Niche and has several extracurricular activities, including FFA, music, drama and art.

Lynden Christian School provides excellent education to students.
Lynden Christian School provides excellent education to students.
Lynden High School prepares students for graduation and beyond.
Lynden High School prepares students for graduation and beyond.
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Getting around northwestern Washington

While the downtown area of Lynden is walkable, most people drive to get around the city. Lynden is about 15 miles from Bellingham, which can be reached via Guide Meridian Road or Hannegan Road. Bellingham is home to the closest hospital—PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center. Whatcom Transportation Authority operates a bus route connecting Lynden and Bellingham, with stops on Depot Road and Front Street. The city is also about 5 miles from the Canadian border via Guide Meridian Road, offering a quick commute for residents who work in Canada.

Crime and environmental risks of Lynden

According to the annual report by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, despite a 47% increase in violent crime, overall crime in the city decreased by 10.4%. The city's violent and property crime rates are both well below the national average. Lynden is at risk of flooding from the Nooksack River. Whatcom County's website has detailed flood maps and resources on how to respond to and prepare for floods.

Matthew Atkins
Written By
Matthew Atkins
Jake Chaplin
Photography Contributed By
Jake Chaplin
Luke Basinger
Video By
Luke Basinger

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Cody Stacy, an experienced agent in this area.

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Lynden Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$639,000
Median Sale Price
$599,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$640,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$432,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
2%
Last 12 months Home Sales
195
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-3%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$340

Area Facts

Number of Homes
4,508
Number of Homes for Sale
54
Median Year Built
1995
Months of Supply
3.30
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,991
On par with the national average
1,929
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,537
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,283
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
591
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
10,018

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Lynden Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
16,339
Median Age
38
Population Density
15 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
20%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$80,000
On par with the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$98,753

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
92.1%
College Graduates
25.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
8.2%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
67.3%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
59''
Average Winter Low Temperature
31°F
Average Summer High Temperature
73°F
Annual Snowfall
14''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®®

46 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®®

60 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Lynden