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Birch Bay, WA

Frequently asked questions

Birch Bay, WA

Birch Bay is a protected bay on the east shore of the Salish Sea, between Semiahmoo Bay and Lummi Bay; approximately 100 miles (160 km) north of Seattle and 35 miles (56 km) south of Vancouver, BC, Canada.

The bay gives its name to a census-designated place (CDP) along the bay's shore in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. The population was 8,413 at the 2010 census, a 69.6% increase over 4,961 at the 2000 census. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,115.

The original name of this place, given by local Indigenous communities is Tsan-wuch (Semiahmoo First Nation) and Say-wak (Lummi Nation / Lhaq'temish). Say-wak means "people saved from a flood by building a raft". Captains of Spanish ships from Acapulco and San Blas (Spanish west coast ports in Mexico) were in this area in 1791 and 1792 and named it Puerto del Garzon in 1791 by Captain Jose Maria Narvaez. It was then renamed Birch Bay in 1792 by Archibald Menzies, a member of the Vancouver Expedition. Vancouver's two ships used Birch Bay as an anchorage for several days. Menzies noted several species of birch and gave the name to the bay.

In the 2000s, the development of condominiums and vacation homes became more prominent in Birch Bay due to high demand from wealthier clientele in the United States and Canada. A proposal to incorporate the community as a city was announced in 2023 following earlier attempts and discussions. By 2020, Birch Bay had grown to approximately 10,000 people, making it larger than all but three cities in Whatcom County.

Birch Bay is on the Salish Sea in northwestern Whatcom County, about 6 miles (9.7 km) south of the Canada–United States border and 37 miles (60 km) from Vancouver, British Columbia. The community that surrounds the bay is connected by State Route 548, a short highway that runs between two interchanges on Interstate 5 near Ferndale and Blaine.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 21.2 square miles (55.0 km²), of which, 15.8 square miles (40.9 km²) of it is land and 5.4 square miles (14.0 km²) of it (25.45%) is water.

Birch Bay places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Birch Bay offers a range of wellness centers and spas that provide massage therapy, yoga, and meditation classes like M.D. Spas & Wellness Center. These facilities aim to rejuvenate both the body and mind, ensuring that visitors leave feeling refreshed and revitalized. Birch Bay Family Medicine offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. For a unique aquatic experience, head to the Birch Bay Waterslides where fun and fitness combine. Yoga and fitness lovers can join sessions at FitTheorem, offering invigorating classes to suit all levels. The Kids Club Fun & Fitness caters to families, offering diverse activities to keep children engaged and active. The area also features Olympus Spa, known for its Korean-inspired spa therapies.

Top sites in Birch Bay, WA are Birch Bay State Park, Peace Arch Provincial Park, Birch Bay Waterslides, and Semiahmoo Park.

Population: 11,103 (2023). ZIP Code: 21613. Area Code: 410. Elevation: V10 ft (3 m). Area: 21.2 sq mi (54.9 km²).

FAQs

What are the demographics of Birch Bay, WA?

In 2021, Birch Bay, WA had a population of 10.1k people with a median age of 46.9 and a median household income of $65,729. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Birch Bay, WA grew from 9,917 to 10,062, a 1.46% increase and its median household income grew from $63,157 to $65,729, a 4.07% increase. The 5 largest ethnic groups in Birch Bay, WA are White (Non-Hispanic) (79.4%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (10.1%), White (Hispanic) (2.79%), Other (Hispanic) (2.71%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (1.72%).

What is the history of Birch Bay, WA?

The original name of this place, given by local Indigenous communities is Tsan-wuch and Say-wak. Say-wak means “people saved from a flood by building a raft". Captains of Spanish ships from Acapulco and San Blas (Spanish west coast ports in Mexico) were in this area in 1791 and 1792 and named it Puerto del Garzon in 1791 by Captain Jose Maria Narvaez. It was then renamed Birch Bay in 1792 by Archibald Menzies, a member of the Vancouver Expedition. In the 2000s, the development of condominiums and vacation homes became more prominent in Birch Bay due to high demand from wealthier clientele in the United States and Canada. A proposal to incorporate the community as a city was announced in 2023 following earlier attempts and discussions. By 2020, Birch Bay had grown to approximately 10,000 people, making it larger than all but three cities in Whatcom County.

Is Birch Bay, WA a good place to live?

A 20-mile drive from Bellingham and a 10-mile drive to the Canadian border, Birch Bay is Whatcom County’s only beach town. It is popular for vacationers and second-home owners but is becoming an increasingly popular location for full-time residential living. For home buyers, there are a wide variety of home-buying options for nearly every budget. The condo complexes range from small, basic units to luxury bay-view units. Overall, Birch Bay is a charming area that offers incredible value. Home and condo prices typically are 5 to 20% below prices in Bellingham.

Sources

Whatcom County

Wikipedia

Bellingham Real Estate Stories

Data USA

Birch Bay State Park

Peace Arch Provincial Park

Birch Bay Waterslides

Semiahmoo Park

M.D. Spas & Wellness Center

Birch Bay Family Medicine

FitTheorem

Kids Club Fun & Fitness

Olympus Spa

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