Whatcom ranks sixth statewide in retail sales per capita

While Seattle dominates total retail sales in Washington, smaller cities take top rank for the state’s highest sales per capita.

The state Department of Revenue reported Burlington had the highest retail sales per capita in Washington in 2011. Skagit County had the highest county sales figures.

Whatcom County placed sixth out of the state’s 38 counties for per capita sales in 2011. In Whatcom, with a countywide population of 202,100, each resident generated $7,535 in retail sales, according to the revenue department.

By comparison, top-ranked Skagit County generated $9,519 in sales per capita.

State officials noted that Burlington’s large number of retail stores along Interstate 5 draws many shoppers to the city from other regions of Puget Sound, as well as from Canada. The “Hub City” lived up to its name, pulling in $67,074 in retail sales per capita in 2011.

Bellingham placed the highest in city rankings from Whatcom County. With $14,669 per capita, it was 33rd on the list.

The revenue department included 280 cities in its rankings.

Other Whatcom County cities:

– Blaine, ranked 67th, $9,105 retail sales per capita
– Lynden, 94th, $7,054
– Sumas, 95th, $7,028
– Ferndale, 141st, $4,988
– Everson, 174th, $3,205
– Nooksack, 206th, $2,409

The revenue department’s rankings counted only retail trade figures, and excluded taxable sales from construction, services, manufacturers, wholesalers and other industries without retail stores.

Complete rankings for all cities and counties:
http://dor.wa.gov/docs/pubs/news/2012/RetailTradeRanking2011.xls

Contact Evan Marczynski at evan@bbjtoday.com or call 360-647-8805. 

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