Ferndale, Washington:

The City of Ferndale, WA is located in Whatcom County, Washington and has a growing community of over 10,560 people, as of September 2007.  Ferndale is situated in a fertile valley used for farming with the Nooksack River running through its town. The surrounding western portion of Ferndale has rolling vistas with breath taking views of Mt. Baker to the east.

 Ferndale is a vibrant community with a small town feel and friendly residents that share a proud history of living in a great community. Located on the Interstate 5 corridor, approximately 6 miles north of Bellingham and 13 miles south of the Canadian Border. There are many nearby attractions including Mount Baker, the San Juan Islands, Lake Terrell, Tennant Lake, numerous parks, and the Nooksack River. Ferndale also enjoys a close proximity to Vancouver, British Columbia.  The city of Ferndale puts out a newsletter thats worth reading at Ferndale's quarterly newsletter.

Ferndale History:

Ferndale was officially incorporated on March 19, 1907.  Ferndale is celebrating their 100 year anniversary by building the Centential Riverwalk Plaza, scheduled for completion November 2007. The area was first settled around the 1850's by white settlers. But the area inhabitants for thousands of years had been the Lummi Tribe, and Nooksack tribe of the Salish Tribal Nations that were indiginous to this area.

Ferndale WA School District:

The Ferndale School District includes the following schools: North Bellingham Elementary, Skyline Elementary, Mt. View Elementary, Eagleridge Elementary, Central Elementary, Custer Elementary, Beach Elementary, Vista Middle School, Horizon Middle School, Ferndale High School, Clearview High School and Windward High School.  Near by there is also the Lummi Nation School system

Ferndale WA Parks:

In Ferndale you have several local parks to enjoy in the area.  I would probably start with Hovander Homestead Park because of it's size an array of things one can find to do.  Hovander Homestead Park is a turn of the century farm county park, with a Victorian home that is listed on the National Historic Register. The park is host to many events through out the year including an Antique Farm Fair and Civil War Reenactment each summer. Literally next store is the Tenant Lake Interpretive Center and Fragrance Garden.  Both of these Parks borders a long stretch of the Nooksack River.

Next, go visit Pioneer Park located just South of the Downtown area. While parked at Pioneer Park, go take a walk on the brand new Centential Riverwalk Plaza.  In addition to these parks the city also has several smaller ones: Vista Ridge Park, Cedar Park, Glacierview Park, VanderYacht Park, Oxford Park, and Michael Moore Park.  The city council also has created an area for local skateboarders off of main street at the Hastings Park area.  Just outside the city limits you'll also find Lake Terrell to be a great place for picnics, recreation, and fishing for Trout, and Bass.

For more park information try these sources as well: Whatcom County Parks Department, Washington State Parks Department, and National Parks Service.

Ferndale WA Events and Things To Do:

The following list are events that are occur about the same time each year and one can use to find things to do while in Ferndale.

• Scottish Highland Games - First Saturday and Sunday in June every year.  It's now being held at Pioneer Park.  For years the event was always at Hovander Homestead Park, but the venue switched to Pioneer in 2007.
• Pioneer Days - The Whatcom OldSettlers Picnic and Grand Parade is held the last weekend in July every year. Ferndale holds a parade and then a fair at Pioneer Park that lasts four days starting on thursday and ends that Sunday.  July 24-27, 2008.
• Civil War Re-enactment - Held at Hovander Park around August 10th.
• Antique Farm Fair - is a time for those kids out there to spend so quality time with your father and see some rumble trackers and buldosers. This special Farm Fair is held on Father’s Day weekend at Hovander homestead Park.
• The Christmas tree lighting and an Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration - is a place for the family to admire the spectacular Christmas lights and enjoy the Celebration. This jamming Christmas Celebration is held in the first weekend in December at Pioneer Park.
  
  

Ferndale Demographics:

As of the census of 2000, there are 8,758 people, 3,147 households, and 2,303 families residing in the city. The population density is 543.6/km² (1,409.1/mi²). There are 3,292 housing units at an average density of 204.3/km² (529.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 84.85% White, 0.82% African American, 2.56% Native American, 2.43% Asian, 0.25% Pacific Islander, 5.31% from other races, and 3.78% from two or more races. 9.02% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 3,147 households out of which 42.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% are married couples living together, 13.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 26.8% are non-families. 21.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.77 and the average family size is 3.25.

In the city the population is spread out with 32.5% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 9.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 32 years. For every 100 females there are 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $36,375, and the median income for a family is $44,626. Males have a median income of $34,658 versus $25,851 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,982. 13.2% of the population and 10.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 19.0% of those under the age of 18 and 9.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

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