WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Washington state’s total population has reached 8 million people for the first time in history.

Recent data released by the Washington state Office of Financial Management shows that between April 2020 and April 2024, over 329,000 people were either born or moved to Washington.

That number includes over 11,000 new residents in Whatcom County, which was within the top 10 counties for population increases. Bellingham remains the largest populated region with over 97,000 total residents as of April 2024. Unincorporated Whatcom County is next with over 92,000.

Lynden has consistently passed Ferndale over the past few years for third place, with both cities reporting populations over 16,000.