Bellingham
WA

Comprehensive business data, market statistics, and demographic insights for Bellingham, WA. Census-backed market intelligence updated annually.

POPULATION228,432
MEDIAN INCOME$81.0K
BUSINESSES6,820
TRENDING SECTOR 🔥Photography Studios, Portrait
+2.4%5-Year Growth
MARKET INTELLIGENCE

Market Signal Report

Curated Intelligence. We analyzed 373 local industries to isolate distinct economic patterns—from rapid acceleration to uncrowded markets.

Methodical Selection

These are not random picks. We filtered the census database to identify the strongest statistical match for distinct economic strategies.

  • > High Momentum (Biz Count Growth)
  • > Supply Gaps (Low Competition)
  • > Market Anchors (High Volume)
View Full Methodology
🚀
The Rocket Ship

Photography Studios, Portrait

While the average sector grew flat, Photography Studios, Portrait surged 2.4% from 2018 vs 2023. This is the fastest-moving opportunity in the market.

Businesses17
Growth Rate+2.4%
💎
The Hidden Gem

Food Service Contractors

Growing demand (2018 vs 2023) with surprisingly low competition level. A classic supply-gap opportunity with strong margins.

Businesses10
Growth Rate+0.7%
💼
The Premium Sector

Shellfish Fishing

Professional industry driven by high-value human capital. High barrier to entry due to specialized workforce requirements.

Businesses13
Avg Salary$163.0K
🏰
The Stronghold

Rope, Cordage, Twine, Tire Cord, and Tire Fabric Mills

Dominated by a few key players. High consolidation often indicates mature market dynamics.

Businesses5
CompetitionHighly Competitive187.7x above US avg
The Steady Giant

Offices of Real Estate Agents and Brokers

Zero volatility. Growth matches population exactly. A proven, volume-based sector for long-term consistency.

Businesses251
VolumeHighest

View All Niches

See full table (373 Rows)

💡

Bellingham Market Intelligence

373 Industries Analyzed • 2018 vs 2023 Data

Bellingham presents 373 market niches across diverse sectors. Competition is intense with 173 saturated sectors requiring differentiation strategies. Consider: Food Service Contractors, Photography Studios, Portrait.

How to Read the Data
Competition Level
Business density per capita vs US average. ● Underserved = Less competition. ● Highly Competitive = More businesses per capita than average.
Growth Rate
5-year percentage change in number of businesses (2018 vs 2023). ● Growing = Positive growth. ● Stable = Modest change. ● Declining = Negative growth.
Businesses
Active employer establishments (businesses with at least one employee) in this niche within the metro. Source: US Census Bureau.
MOMENTUM
DENSITY
25 of 373 niches• Sorted: Businesses
Niche (NAICS) Competition Growth Rate Businesses Avg Team Avg Salary
Offices of Real Estate Agents and Brokers#531210
1.77
+48.5%2517.0$73.7K
Full-Service Restaurants#722511
1.03
+5.6%22515.9$28.1K
Residential Remodelers#236118
1.68
+12.2%1933.1$58.5K
New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders)#236115
3.19
+18.9%1573.0$58.3K
Religious Organizations#813110
0.98
+0.7%1467.4$26.2K
Limited-Service Restaurants#722513
0.56
+2.4%13018.4$24.5K
Landscaping Services#561730
1.11
+5.7%1116.7$46.9K
Offices of Lawyers#541110
0.76
-12.2%1083.7$77.1K
Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)#621111
0.58
-8.0%10318.9$102.8K
Offices of Dentists#621210
0.84
-2.9%999.0$58.2K
Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses#454110
1.92
+21.6%904.4$47.8K
Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars#722515
1.24
+2.3%9012.2$23.0K
Janitorial Services#561720
1.46
+19.7%856.2$36.0K
Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services#541611
0.85
+60.4%772.6$74.1K
General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance, Truckload#484121
1.54
+38.2%764.3$58.2K
Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians)#621330
1.88
+65.2%763.2$41.7K
Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores#447110
0.98
+1.4%756.3$29.0K
Engineering Services#541330
1.37
+8.8%749.6$113.9K
Insurance Agencies and Brokerages#524210
0.66
-5.2%737.1$71.6K
Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors#238210
1.03
+5.9%7222.0$94.8K
Other Accounting Services#541219
1.75
+42.0%712.8$40.9K
Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors#238220
0.71
0.0%6622.3$84.1K
General Automotive Repair#811111
0.92
+3.2%656.2$59.3K
Site Preparation Contractors#238910
2.02
+6.6%6514.7$94.6K
Painting and Wall Covering Contractors#238320
1.96
+12.3%643.5$53.9K
Viewing 25 of 373 niches

Understanding Your Data

How to read the numbers and what to do next.

We pull directly from official U.S. Census Bureau records (specifically County Business Patterns & Nonemployer Statistics). We don't use estimates or opinions—we simply clean and organize the government's raw data so you can actually use it.

VERIFIED
MARKET
DATA

We built this platform to provide the foundational data you need to navigate your market's landscape and competitive dynamics.

Straight from the Source

We pull raw numbers directly from the U.S. Census Bureau. You're looking at the same data used by banks and city planners, simplified for clarity.

Data-First Methodology

We focus exclusively on the numbers. Our rankings are driven by objective metrics like growth and density, ensuring you see the market exactly as the data reports it.

Transparent Logic

No secret formulas. We show you the raw metrics—Growth, Density, and Volume—so you can verify the math yourself.