Bellingham area’s income on the rise

According to a recent Bellingham Herald article, local area residents’ income is rising but but not at the rate of the national average, according to a national report released Tuesday.The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis stated that a resident Whatcom County had a per capita personal income of $30,881 in 2006, a 4.5 percent increase from the previous year. The national average was a 5.3 percent increase.

Bellingham ranked 199 out of the 363 Metropolitan Statistical Areas. The highest income area was Bridgeport, Conn., which had a per capita income of $71,901, the lowest was McAllen, Texas, annual income of $17,111.

Bellingham’s income increase was behind the national average but the Seattle area – with a 6.3 percent rise – was well above. This is considered an indication that the overall economy in the region is doing well, said Gary W. Smith, director of the Pacific Northwest Regional Economic Analysis project.

Free Bus Rides in Whatcom County Aug 12 -18

Whatcom Transit Authority will be offering free bus ride from August 12 through August 18, 2007. 

The idea is  to encourage people to try using the bus, especially while the weather is fair and fuel prices remain high.

If you are going to the Northwest Washington Fair, WTA is also offering a special late return trip from the fairgrounds.  The special 10 pm trip will depart the fairgrounds August 13 through August 18 from a bus stop at Fairway Center (across the street from the fairgrounds) &  will drop passengers at Cordata Station, located near Whatcom Community College at Westerly Road, as well as at WTA’s Temporary Bellingham Station on State Street.

Like all bus service during the week of August 12 through 18, the bus to and from the fairgrounds will be offered free of charge.

For more information, passengers can call 360-676-RIDE (7433).