Custer ZIP Codes — Whatcom County, WA

There is one unique ZIP code in Custer, Washington and it is 98240. Area code: 360/564.

ZIP codes

22.26

sq mi land

0.02

sq mi water

360/564

area code

Custer, WA ZIP code map

About Custer, WA

Custer, Washington, is a small and charming community located within Whatcom County. Known for its peaceful ambiance, Custer offers a unique blend of rural living and accessibility to urban amenities. Residents enjoy a close-knit community atmosphere, making it an appealing place to call home.

Location & geography

Custer is situated in the northwestern part of Washington State, approximately 10 miles south of the Canadian border. It is bordered by the cities of Blaine to the north, Ferndale to the east, and Lynden to the northeast, each within a short driving distance. The town encompasses a land area of 22.26 square miles, with a small water area of 0.02 square miles, featuring hilly terrain and abundant natural beauty.

Community & economy

The character of Custer is defined by its friendly residents and a slow-paced lifestyle that values community engagement. The area is supported by local industries, including agriculture and hospitality, which contribute to the local economy. Daily life in Custer is characterized by outdoor activities and close connections among neighbors, fostering a warm environment.

Transportation

Custer is accessible via Interstate 5, which runs just a short distance to the east, providing convenient travel to neighboring cities and beyond. The nearest airports include the Bellingham International Airport, located approximately 20 miles to the south, and the Boundary Bay Airport in Blaine. Public transportation options are limited, so private vehicles are the primary mode of transit for residents.

History

Custer was founded in the early 20th century, originally established as a small railroad town. Its key industries have traditionally revolved around agriculture and timber, with notable developments occurring as transportation routes expanded. Over the decades, Custer has maintained its small-town charm while adapting to changes in the regional economy.

Did you know?

One little-known fact about Custer is that it was once a significant stop along the railway routes that connected Washington State to Canada. Additionally, the town is only a few miles from the scenic Larrabee State Park, which offers stunning views of the Puget Sound.

ZIP codes for Custer, WA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
98240	Custer	Whatcom	View map

Demographics & statistics

3,426

Population

40.7

Median age

$102,602

Median household income

$46,973

Per capita income

$510,400

Median home value

$1,433

Median monthly rent

88.4%

Home ownership

3.5%

Poverty rate

7.3%

Unemployment

1,131

Housing units

25.1%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

203

5–9

203

170

10–14

169

123

15–19

122

20–24

140

25–34

139

300

35–44

300

265

45–54

265

138

55–59

138

109

60–64

108

167

65–74

166

75–84

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	983	28.7%
18 and over	2,443	71.3%
65 and over	408	11.9%
Median age	40.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 77.3%

Hispanic or Latino 10.4%

Other race 8.8%

Two or more races 3.5%

Group	Count	%
White	2,957	77.3%
Hispanic or Latino	399	10.4%
Other race	336	8.8%
Two or more races	133	3.5%

Household income

Under $10k 1.7%

$15k–$25k 6.0%

$25k–$35k 0.8%

$35k–$50k 6.7%

$50k–$75k 12.3%

$75k–$100k 18.5%

$100k–$150k 39.3%

$150k–$200k 3.1%

$200k+ 11.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	1.7%
$15k–$25k	6.0%
$25k–$35k	0.8%
$35k–$50k	6.7%
$50k–$75k	12.3%
$75k–$100k	18.5%
$100k–$150k	39.3%
$150k–$200k	3.1%
$200k+	11.6%
Median income	$102,602

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 1.0%

$100k–$150k 1.6%

$200k–$300k 16.9%

$300k–$500k 29.1%

$500k–$1M 49.0%

$1M+ 2.4%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$510,400
Median rent / month	$1,433
Owner occupied	88.4%
Renter occupied	11.6%
Vacant	3.8%
Single-family detached	80.4%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	19.6%
Median rooms	6.8
Avg household size (owned)	2.70

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	10.2%
2000–2009	11.1%
1990–1999	28.6%
1980–1989	22.5%
1970–1979	16.4%
1960–1969	1.6%
1950–1959	1.3%
1940–1949	0.5%
1939 or earlier	7.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	0.5%
2 bedrooms	7.1%
3 bedrooms	51.6%
4 bedrooms	39.4%
5+ bedrooms	1.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.9%
1 vehicle	6.3%
2 vehicles	27.8%
3 or more	65.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	6.9%
Electricity	48.1%
Propane / LP gas	24.9%
Fuel oil	10.4%
Wood	6.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	735	60.0%
Cohabiting couple	252	20.6%
Male householder, no spouse	53	4.3%
Female householder, no spouse	185	15.1%
Households with children under 18	534	43.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	285	23.3%
Average household size	2.79

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	37.6%	20.0%
Married	56.2%	60.0%
Separated	0.7%	1.9%
Widowed	1.1%	7.5%
Divorced	4.3%	10.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.3%

Some HS, no diploma 4.3%

HS graduate 31.7%

Some college, no degree 18.3%

Associate's degree 16.3%

Bachelor's degree 19.3%

Graduate / professional 5.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	91.4%
Bachelor's or higher	25.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	92	8.8%
Kindergarten	47	4.5%
Elementary school	608	58.3%
High school	224	21.5%
College / grad school	71	6.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 16.3%

Manufacturing 15.4%

Transportation & utilities 12.1%

Professional & management 10.6%

Retail trade 8.0%

Construction 7.9%

Agriculture & mining 6.6%

Finance & real estate 6.1%

Information 4.6%

Public administration 3.8%

Wholesale trade 3.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 2.7%

Other services 2.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	26.7%
Service	11.0%
Sales & office	31.1%
Natural resources & construction	16.5%
Production & transportation	14.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	76.4%
Government	16.5%
Self-employed	7.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	76.5%
Carpool	10.9%
Public transit	0.1%
Walk	1.5%
Other means	1.1%
Avg commute (minutes)	20.1

Poverty

All people 3.5%

Under 18 years 3.8%

18 and over 3.4%

Married-couple families 1.0%

Female-led households 14.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	26.0%
Retirement income	16.7%
Supplemental Security	2.0%
Cash public assistance	0.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	13.1%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	31.2%
High cholesterol	32.9%
Heart disease	6.1%
Stroke	2.9%
Asthma	10.7%
Arthritis	26.2%
Kidney disease	2.8%
Pulmonary disease	6.5%
Cancer	6.7%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	19.0%
No physical activity	16.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	28.6%
Fair or poor health	13.4%
Poor mental health	15.0%
Poor physical health	10.8%
No health insurance	10.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)	69.0%
Visited dentist	67.7%
Cholesterol screening	88.7%
Teeth loss	10.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	137	5.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	12.2%
Under 18	6.7%
18–64 years	13.4%
65 and over	19.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	64.4%
Public insurance	35.6%
Uninsured under 19	7.1%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	3,356	98.0%
Spanish	132	3.9%
Other Indo-European	132	3.9%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	3,032	88.5%
Born in same state	2,874	83.9%
Born in different state	2,082	60.8%
Foreign born	158	4.6%
Naturalized citizen	394	11.5%
Not a US citizen	83	21.1%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	433	12.6%
Polish	305	8.9%
Italian	267	7.8%
English	189	5.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	76	2.2%
Dutch	37	1.1%
German	32	0.9%
Norwegian	13	0.4%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	35.8%
Internet access	98.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Custer, WA have?

Custer, WA has one ZIP code: 98240. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.