Birch Bay, Washington

Birch Bay, Washington
CDP
Nickname(s): bbay

Location of Birch Bay, Washington
Coordinates: 48°55′56″N 122°44′50″W / 48.93222°N 122.74722°W / 48.93222; -122.74722Coordinates: 48°55′56″N 122°44′50″W / 48.93222°N 122.74722°W / 48.93222; -122.74722
Country United States
State Washington
County Whatcom
Area
 • Total 21.2 sq mi (54.9 km2)
 • Land 15.8 sq mi (41.0 km2)
 • Water 5.4 sq mi (14.0 km2)
Elevation 10 ft (3 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 8,413
 • Density 532.5/sq mi (205.2/km2)
Time zone Pacific (PST) (UTC-8)
 • Summer (DST) PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP code 98230
Area code 360
FIPS code 53-06190[1]
GNIS feature ID 1512009[2]
Highways SR 548

Birch Bay is a census-designated place (CDP) in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. Birch Bay is a protected bay located between Semiahmoo Bay and Lummi Bay. It is also commonly referred to as the community near and around this body of water, but is actually not its own town. Birch Bay is approximately 100 miles north of Seattle and 35 miles south of Vancouver, BC, Canada. The population was 8,413 at the 2010 census, a 69.6% increase over the 2000 census.

Birch Bay was named in 1792 by Archibald Menzies, a member of the Vancouver Expedition. Vancouver's two ships used Birch Bay as an anchorage for several days. Menzies noted a number of species of birch and gave the name to the bay.[3]

Geography

Birch Bay is located at 48°55′56″N 122°44′50″W / 48.93222°N 122.74722°W / 48.93222; -122.74722 (48.932167, -122.747192).[4]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 21.2 square miles (55.0 km²), of which, 15.8 square miles (40.9 km²) of it is land and 5.4 square miles (14.0 km²) of it (25.45%) is water.

Geology

Birch Bay is a headland bay created by the refraction of incoming waves on the headlands that lie on either side of the bay. The headland to the north is Birch Point, and the one to the south is Point Whitehorn. The waves bend as they enter the bay and lose energy in the process. The result is a half-moon-shaped bay with a gentle sloping beach. The beach has been modified in past years by the implementation of groins and riprap. Terrell Creek runs parallel along a section of the beach, eventually flowing into the bay.

Demographics

Because of its convenient location, many people come here from nearby US and Canadian cities and towns for holidays and short trips.

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 4,961 people, 2,125 households, and 1,417 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 313.7 people per square mile (121.2/km²). There were 5,105 housing units at an average density of 322.8/sq mi (124.7/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 92.36% White, 1.23% Asian, 1.19% Native American, 1.05% African American, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 1.91% from other races, and 2.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.45% of the population.

There were 2,125 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the CDP the age distribution of the population shows 23.2% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $40,040, and the median income for a family was $44,280. Males had a median income of $41,198 versus $27,076 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $21,204. About 6.7% of families and 9.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.7% of those under age 18 and 0.9% of those age 65 or over.

Surrounding municipalities

 Point Roberts Blaine
Gulf Islands Custer
   Birch Bay  
San Juan Islands Ferndale

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  2. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. ↑ Roberts, John E. (2005). A Discovery Journal: George Vancouver's First Survey Season - 1792. Trafford Publishing. p. 101. ISBN 978-1-4120-7097-3.
  4. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.

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