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Lynden, WA

Frequently asked questions

Lynden, WA

Lynden is a city in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. It is located 15 miles (24 km) north of Bellingham, the county seat and principal city of the Bellingham Metropolitan Area. It is the second largest city in Whatcom County. The city is approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) south of the Canada–US Border.

The city is located along the Nooksack River and State Route 539. The population of Lynden was 15,749 at the 2020 census. The city is also home to the annual Northwest Washington Fair.

Lynden was founded in the 1870s by Phoebe Judson and her husband, Holden, near the site of the Nooksack Indian village Squahalish. Judson named it after the riverside town in Hohenlinden, a poem by Thomas Campbell. According to her book, A Pioneer's Search for an Ideal Home, Judson changed the spelling of "Linden" to be more visually appealing. Lynden was officially incorporated as a city on March 16, 1891. A statue of Judson now sits at the intersection of Front and 6th Street, near the Lynden Chamber of Commerce.

The city lies in a broad valley formed by the Nooksack River, which empties into nearby Bellingham Bay. The surrounding area is filled with dairy, raspberry, strawberry, and blueberry farms. The region saw significant Dutch immigration in the early and mid-1900s, spurring the growth of dairies. The city pays homage to its Dutch heritage through the design of buildings on Front Street and local businesses with "Dutch" names and products. In the early 21st century, the population nearly doubled in size, with the Dutch being more predominant than other ethnic ancestry.

In 2005, a drug smuggling tunnel was discovered in Lynden, built by a band of Canadian smugglers in the basement of a residence 5 miles (8.0 km) north of Lynden along the Canada–US border. At the time, this was the only known drug tunnel along the US-Canada border.

The first time that a presumptive presidential nominee of a U.S. major political party came to Lynden during a general election year was in May 2016, when Donald Trump visited the city.

The Nooksack River runs along a short portion of the city's southern border. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.18 square miles (13.42 km²), of which 5.17 square miles (13.39 km²) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km²) is water.

Lynden places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Forge Fitness and Planet Fitness offer comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. Start your wellness journey at the Lynden Community Center, where you can participate in various fitness classes and community events. For a more traditional workout, visit the Whatcom Family YMCA, which provides state-of-the-art gym facilities and group fitness sessions. For a holistic approach, Modern Edge Acupuncture offers acupuncture and natural therapies to enhance your health. 

Top sites in Lynden WA are Lynden City Park, Lynden Heritage Museum, and Berthusen Park.

Population: 16,551 (2023). Elevation: 108 ft (33 m). ZIP code: 21770. Area Code: 360. Area: 5.45 sq mi (14.10 km²).

FAQs

What is Lynden, WA known for?

Lynden is home to Washington State’s largest Dutch settlement, is the heart of the region’s farmland, and is an area that loves to celebrate life’s simpler things.  Throughout the year, this community comes together to celebrate authentic festivals and events that showcase their heritage, like the Northwest Raspberry Festival and the Farmers Day Parade. The biggest event of them all is the Northwest Washington Fair which is held annually in August. The town of Lynden offers several historical adventures all within a few block radius. Make it a complete getaway with an overnight stay at the Inn at Lynden, located in a 100-year-old building that has been beautifully transformed from a turn-of-the-century department store into a luxurious 35-room boutique hotel.

What is the history of Lynden, WA?

Since 1900, when the first Hollanders arrived, Lynden has been predominantly Dutch. Through the 1940s, older Hollanders spoke Dutch in their homes and still preserved old-country customs in cookery and decoration. In the town were four Dutch-language churches. The Hollanders introduced their native methods of bulb culture with remarkable success, and for years Lynden shipped carloads of bulbs to all parts of the world.

What county is Lynden, WA?

Lynden is a city in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. It is located 15 miles (24 km) north of Bellingham, the county seat and principal city of the Bellingham Metropolitan Area. It is the second largest city in Whatcom County. The city is approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) south of the Canada–US Border. The city is located along the Nooksack River and State Route 539. The population of Lynden was 15,749 at the 2020 United States Census. Lynden is also home to the annual Northwest Washington Fair.

Sources

City of Lynden

Wikipedia

Bellingham

Revisit WA

Lynden City Park

Lynden Heritage Museum

Berthusen Park

PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center

Forge Fitness

Planet Fitness

Lynden Community Center

Whatcom Family YMCA

Modern Edge Acupuncture

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