Health insurance in Whatcom County, Washington

Reviewed September 4, 2026 · 2024 Census data

Source: US Census Small Area Health Insurance Estimates, 2024 release. Income bands are measured against the federal poverty level.

Half the uninsured here sit in the subsidy range

Of the 16,370 people without coverage in Whatcom County, 8,190 — 50% — earn inside the premium tax credit range. That is near the 51% national median. Within that band itself, 11.7% have no coverage.

How many people here have no coverage

8.8% of Whatcom County's 185,316 under-65 residents have no health coverage — 16,370 people. That is close to the Washington rate of 7.8%, and puts Whatcom County in the lower half of the 3,143 counties measured nationally (1,908th).

Who falls under the Medicaid line

4,225 of Whatcom County's uninsured — 26%, below the 31% typical of counties nationally — earn under $22,025 a year, which in Washington is Medicaid territory rather than marketplace territory.

Older residents here are better covered

2,227 people aged 50 to 64 in Whatcom County have no coverage, a rate of 5.7% — lower than the 8.8% across all under-65 residents here, which is the usual pattern — people in their fifties and early sixties tend to be more settled in employer coverage. Age-rated premiums make this the most expensive group to cover before Medicare.

Whatcom County against Washington

Whatcom County is the 9th largest of the 14 Washington counties we publish. Its uninsured rate runs 1.0 points higher than Washington overall and its subsidy-band share matches the state. Coverage among 50 to 64 year olds matches the Washington picture.

Counties of a similar size

All Washington counties · How the credit works · Enrollment dates