Census data: College students a strong influence on Whatcom migration

People moving to Whatcom County tend to be younger and poorer than the overall county population, according to the latest compilation of data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

In a comparison of Washington counties, other states and foreign locations, released by the Census Bureau on Feb. 6, King County was by far Whatcom County's largest source of new residents from 2007 to 2011. Annual migration totals from King to Whatcom County in those years was 2,096. Snohomish County was second, with 1,132 people per year moving to Whatcom. In third place was California, with 890 annual newcomers.