NAICS 51

Information in Bellingham, WA

Metro Market Score 55.4 (Challenging), ranked #217 of 294 metros. 226 establishments, 1,195 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 55.4
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Challenging

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national information average.

💰High-Cost Market

Market conditions for information in Bellingham are tougher than average. The 55.4 market score reflects a combination of high labor costs, mixed growth signals, and an already crowded field. Rank: #217 of 294 metros.

Industry Concentration
76.9
LQ: 0.68
Rank #226 of 294 metros
Wage Competitiveness
84.3
$115,574 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 62.9
Employment growth index
Rank #110 of 294 metros
Wage Pressure
20.0
YoY wage change index

226 Information Firms in Bellingham

226
Establishments
+10.8% YoY
1,195
Total Employment
+0.0% YoY
$115,574
Average Annual Wage
+2.9% YoY
0.68
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Bellingham vs Washington Statewide

How this metro's information market compares to Washington overall. The state ranks #49/51 for entry risk.

Measure Bellingham WA Statewide
Overall Score 55.4 Challenging 55.7 High
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #217 of 294 metros #49 of 51 states

Metro and state scores use different methodologies (metro has 4 QCEW-based metrics; state adds BDS survival and momentum data). Direct score comparisons are approximate.

Other Industries in Bellingham

Administrative and Support Services 43.8 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 47.1 Healthcare and Social Assistance 50.5 Retail Trade 58.5 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 60.1 Finance and Insurance 61.5 Other Services 70.1 Accommodation and Food Services 74.1 Construction 77.4

Information in Other Washington Metros

Yakima 30.0 #61/294 Kennewick-Richland 31.1 #65/294 Walla Walla 42.9 #136/294 Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard 45.2 #154/294 Mount Vernon-Anacortes 47.3 #173/294 Longview-Kelso 52.2 #202/294 Spokane-Spokane Valley 58.7 #230/294 Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater 64.9 #259/294 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue 75.6 #289/294

About Metro Market Score: A weighted composite of industry concentration (25%), wage competitiveness (25%), wage pressure (20%), and employment growth trend (30%). Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. For Bellingham's information sector, the wage competitiveness component (84.3) has the strongest pull on the composite. Metro scores use QCEW data only (no BDS survival data at metro level). Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.