Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Lynden, WA Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

16,234

Median Agei

35.2

Race & Ethnicityi

White

77.2%12,533

Hispanic/Latino

13.9%2,262

Two or More

5.7%923

Asian

2.3%381

Other

0.4%57

Black

0.3%55

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.1%23

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

1.2%132

High School Diploma

24.2%2,624

Some College (<1 yr)

10.1%1,089

Some College (1+ yr)

15.8%1,713

Associate's Degree

10.9%1,176

Bachelor's Degree

24.4%2,637

Master's Degree

6.2%669

Professional Degree

1.3%144

Doctorate

1.2%128

HS or Higher

95.3%

BA or Higher

33.1%

Graduate+

8.7%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$596,600

Median Renti

$1,707

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

66.2%3,984

Renter-Occupied

33.8%2,034

Total Units

6,210

Homeownership

66.2%

Vacancy Rate

3.1%

Home Values

Under $50K

1.8%72

$50K–$100K

0.4%14

$100K–$150K

1.2%47

$150K–$200K

0.3%13

$200K–$300K

2%78

$300K–$500K

24.7%985

$500K–$1M

68%2,710

$1M+

1.6%65

Rent Distribution

Under $500

$500–$750

$750–$1,000

185

$1,000–$1,250

194

$1,250–$1,500

254

$1,500–$2,000

691

$2,000+

583

Year Built

2020 or later

5.2%325

2010–2019

21%1,307

2000–2009

18.4%1,141

1990–1999

17.3%1,072

1980–1989

9.4%584

1970–1979

8.4%523

1960–1969

5.4%338

1950–1959

6.6%410

1940–1949

0.4%27

1939 or earlier

7.8%483

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

70.2%4,223

Electricity

28.8%1,732

Bottled/LP Gas

0.7%41

No Fuel

0.2%12

Wood

0.2%10

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$103,233

Mean Household Incomei

$123,100

Per Capita Incomei

$46,608

Poverty Ratei

7.2%

Unemploymenti

3.6%

Labor Forcei

8,431

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

2.7%165

$10K–$15K

1.7%103

$15K–$20K

4.1%249

$20K–$25K

1.4%87

$25K–$30K

3.2%191

$30K–$35K

1.6%96

$35K–$40K

1.4%85

$40K–$45K

3.4%205

$45K–$50K

3.2%191

$50K–$60K

3.4%206

$60K–$75K

9.2%552

$75K–$100K

13.2%792

$100K–$125K

14.1%849

$125K–$150K

10.8%648

$150K–$200K

13.2%794

$200K+

13.4%805

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

Residentsi

189

Avg. Tenant Renti

$508/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

30 months

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers98 homes93% occupied$508/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $103,233/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $31K/yr

79%

Very low income$31K–$52K/yr

16%

Low income$52K–$83K/yr

Moderate / aboveOver $83K/yr

Who Receives This Housing

85% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

24% of subsidized households are minority

36% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

44% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

1,70010.5%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

588

Canada

516

China

117

Germany

Guatemala

India

United Kingdom

Philippines

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

7,981

Avg. Commutei

21 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

8,126

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

1,028(8.4% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

93.2%Insured

6.8%Uninsured