ZIP 98230 · Blaine, WA

Six governments run on your community's money

This page shows every government that serves ZIP 98230: the state, county, city or town and school district, and where each one's money comes from and goes.

Each government is shown for its own newest fiscal year on file, so the years differ. Figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau's Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, the government's own report or, for Washington governments, the Washington State Auditor's Office, as named under Sources and more.

Where do my taxes go in 98230?
98230 is served by the State of Washington, Whatcom County, Blaine School District 503, Ferndale School District 502, the City of Blaine and Lynden School District 504. In each one's latest recorded fiscal year, State of Washington spent $80.4 billion (fiscal year ended June 30, 2024), Whatcom County spent $286 million (fiscal year ended December 31, 2025), Blaine School District 503 spent $44.0 million (fiscal year ended August 31, 2025), Ferndale School District 502 spent $99.0 million (fiscal year ended August 31, 2025), City of Blaine spent $34.7 million (fiscal year ended December 31, 2025) and Lynden School District 504 spent $69.9 million (fiscal year ended August 31, 2025). Each government's money is separate.

Which governments collect property tax in 98230?
Of the governments serving 98230, State of Washington collected $4.61 billion (fiscal year ended June 30, 2024), Whatcom County collected $88.6 million (fiscal year ended December 31, 2025), Ferndale School District 502 collected $20.6 million (fiscal year ended August 31, 2025), Lynden School District 504 collected $12.7 million (fiscal year ended August 31, 2025), Blaine School District 503 collected $11.2 million (fiscal year ended August 31, 2025) and City of Blaine collected $1.5 million (fiscal year ended December 31, 2025) in property tax. These are each government's total collections, not a bill for 98230.

See another ZIP code

From the state down to your schools: where each one's money comes from and goes.

See the full budget for: Whatcom County, Blaine, Blaine School District 503 and Ferndale School District 502

Figures for Washington governments come from the Washington State Auditor's Office and are for 2025. The state government's own figures are the newest year the U.S. Census Bureau has published.

Where property tax goes in 98230

State of Washington$4.61 billion

6.2% of its $73.9 billion in revenue · fiscal year ended June 30, 2024

Whatcom County$88.6 million

30% of its $297 million in revenue · fiscal year ended December 31, 2025

Ferndale School District 502$20.6 million

21% of its $100 million in revenue · fiscal year ended August 31, 2025

Lynden School District 504$12.7 million

18% of its $69.0 million in revenue · fiscal year ended August 31, 2025

Blaine School District 503$11.2 million

25% of its $44.0 million in revenue · fiscal year ended August 31, 2025

City of Blaine$1.5 million

4.4% of its $34.1 million in revenue · fiscal year ended December 31, 2025

These are each government's total property tax collections, not your bill. Your own bill is split by each government's tax rate, shown on your property tax bill.

Your county

Whatcom County

$286 million budget in fiscal year 2025 (ended December 31, 2025), from the Washington State Auditor's Office.

Where the money comes from

County taxes56%State tax money17%Fines and other9.1%Fees for services8.9%Federal tax money6.7%Local tax money2.2%
Full Whatcom County breakdown

County taxes56%

Property tax
30%$88.6 million
Sales tax
21%$61.3 million
Other taxes
5.2%$15.3 million
Tourism taxes
0.5%$1.5 million

Fees for services8.9%

Fees for services
8.9%$26.5 million

Federal tax money6.7%

Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.

From the federal government
6.7%$20.0 million

State tax money17%

Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.

From the state
17%$50.3 million

Local tax money2.2%

Money passed on by the county or other local governments.

From other local governments
2.2%$6.4 million

Fines and other9.1%

Interest, rents and other
8.5%$25.1 million
Fines
0.7%$2.0 million
Whatcom County page →

Where the money goes

Police, fire, courts and jails32%Running the government and other costs21%Roads, transit and parking16%Health and hospitals11%Social services9.3%All other spending11%
Full Whatcom County breakdown

Spending by category100%

Police, fire, courts and jails
32%$92.4 million
Running the government and other costs
21%$61.2 million
Roads, transit and parking
16%$44.7 million
Health and hospitals
11%$30.9 million
Social services
9.3%$26.6 million
Housing and community development
4.7%$13.3 million
Parks, recreation and libraries
3.5%$10.0 million
Environment and natural resources
2.0%$5.6 million
Debt payments (principal and interest)
0.4%$1.3 million
Whatcom County page →

Your city

City of Blaine

$34.7 million budget in fiscal year 2025 (ended December 31, 2025), from the Washington State Auditor's Office.

About 13% of this ZIP is in Blaine.

Where the money comes from

Fees for services55%City taxes25%Fines and other8.9%Federal tax money6.5%State tax money4.1%County and local tax money0.5%
Full Blaine breakdown

City taxes25%

Other taxes
10%$3.5 million
Sales tax
9.9%$3.4 million
Property tax
4.4%$1.5 million
Tourism taxes
0.8%$263 thousand

Fees for services55%

Fees for services
55%$18.7 million

Federal tax money6.5%

Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.

From the federal government
6.5%$2.2 million

State tax money4.1%

Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.

From the state
4.1%$1.4 million

County and local tax money0.5%

Money passed on by the county or other local governments.

From the county and other local governments
0.5%$166 thousand

Fines and other8.9%

Interest, rents and other
8.7%$3.0 million
Fines
0.2%$79 thousand
Blaine page →

Where the money goes

Water, sewer, trash and utilities53%Roads, transit and parking20%Police, fire, courts and jails9.9%Debt payments (principal and interest)7.3%Running the government and other costs6.4%All other spending4.0%
Full Blaine breakdown

Spending by category100%

Water, sewer, trash and utilities
53%$18.3 million
Roads, transit and parking
20%$6.8 million
Police, fire, courts and jails
9.9%$3.4 million
Debt payments (principal and interest)
7.3%$2.5 million
Running the government and other costs
6.4%$2.2 million
Housing and community development
2.1%$729 thousand
Parks, recreation and libraries
1.9%$643 thousand
Environment and natural resources
<0.1%$7 thousand
Health and hospitals
<0.1%$3 thousand
Blaine page →

Your schools

Blaine School District 503

$44.0 million budget in fiscal year 2025 (ended August 31, 2025), from the Washington State Auditor's Office.

About 74% of this ZIP is in Blaine School District 503.

Where the money comes from

State tax money68%School district taxes25%Federal tax money4.4%Fines and other1.1%Fees for services1.0%County and local tax money0.3%
Full Blaine School District 503 breakdown

School district taxes25%

Property tax
25%$11.2 million

Fees for services1.0%

Fees for services
1.0%$418 thousand

Federal tax money4.4%

Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.

From the federal government
4.4%$1.9 million

State tax money68%

Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.

From the state
68%$29.9 million

County and local tax money0.3%

Money passed on by the county or other local governments.

From the county and other local governments
0.3%$121 thousand

Fines and other1.1%

Interest, rents and other
1.1%$467 thousand
Fines
<0.1%$9 thousand
Blaine School District 503 page →

Where the money goes

Schools and colleges89%Debt payments (principal and interest)11%
Full Blaine School District 503 breakdown

Spending by category100%

Schools and colleges
89%$39.4 million
Debt payments (principal and interest)
11%$4.7 million
Blaine School District 503 page →

Ferndale School District 502

$99.0 million budget in fiscal year 2025 (ended August 31, 2025), from the Washington State Auditor's Office.

About 14% of this ZIP is in Ferndale School District 502.

Where the money comes from

State tax money71%School district taxes21%Federal tax money6.7%Fines and other1.2%Fees for services0.7%
Full Ferndale School District 502 breakdown

School district taxes21%

Property tax
21%$20.6 million

Fees for services0.7%

Fees for services
0.7%$723 thousand

Federal tax money6.7%

Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.

From the federal government
6.7%$6.7 million

State tax money71%

Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.

From the state
71%$70.6 million

County and local tax money<0.1%

Money passed on by the county or other local governments.

From the county and other local governments
<0.1%$2 thousand

Fines and other1.2%

Interest, rents and other
1.2%$1.2 million
Fines
<0.1%$2 thousand
Ferndale School District 502 page →

Where the money goes

Schools and colleges92%Debt payments (principal and interest)7.8%
Full Ferndale School District 502 breakdown

Spending by category100%

Schools and colleges
92%$91.3 million
Debt payments (principal and interest)
7.8%$7.7 million
Ferndale School District 502 page →

Lynden School District 504

$69.9 million budget in fiscal year 2025 (ended August 31, 2025), from the Washington State Auditor's Office.

About 12% of this ZIP is in Lynden School District 504.

Where the money comes from

State tax money74%School district taxes18%Federal tax money4.8%Fees for services2.4%Fines and other0.8%
Full Lynden School District 504 breakdown

School district taxes18%

Property tax
18%$12.7 million

Fees for services2.4%

Fees for services
2.4%$1.7 million

Federal tax money4.8%

Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.

From the federal government
4.8%$3.3 million

State tax money74%

Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.

From the state
74%$50.8 million

County and local tax money<0.1%

Money passed on by the county or other local governments.

From the county and other local governments
<0.1%$645

Fines and other0.8%

Interest, rents and other
0.8%$528 thousand
Fines
<0.1%$7 thousand
Lynden School District 504 page →

Where the money goes

Schools and colleges94%Debt payments (principal and interest)6.0%
Full Lynden School District 504 breakdown

Spending by category100%

Schools and colleges
94%$65.7 million
Debt payments (principal and interest)
6.0%$4.2 million
Lynden School District 504 page →

Your state

State of Washington

$80.4 billion budget in the latest fiscal year on record, which ended June 30, 2024.

Where the money comes from

State taxes51%Federal tax money30%Fees for services (hospital bills, college tuition)11%Fines and other7.7%Local tax money0.7%
Full Washington breakdown

What stands out

31%

of Washington's money comes from sales tax.A typical state government gets 14%.

State taxes51%

Sales tax
31%$22.8 billion
Other taxes
13%$9.57 billion
What's in other taxesOther selective sales taxes; motor fuel taxes and 18 more
  • Other selective sales taxes$1.54 billion
  • Motor fuel taxes$1.53 billion
  • Real estate and stock transfer taxes$1.22 billion
  • Motor vehicle licenses$1.00 billion
  • Insurance premium taxes$888 million
  • Public utility taxes$808 million
  • Alcoholic beverage taxes$478 million
  • Occupation and business licenses$438 million
  • Estate and gift taxes$406 million
  • Tobacco taxes$292 million
  • Alcoholic beverage licenses$211 million
  • Other taxes not classified elsewhere$207 million
  • Other licenses$190 million
  • Driver's licenses$136 million
  • Corporation licenses$62.8 million
  • Hunting and fishing licenses$44.7 million
  • Severance taxes$41.0 million
  • Public utility licenses$37.9 million
  • Amusement taxes$21.9 million
  • Amusement licenses$16.7 million

Amounts are by Census tax category.

Property tax
6.2%$4.61 billion
Individual income tax
0.5%$350 million

Fees for services11%

Fees for services
11%$8.03 billion
What's in fees for servicesHospital bills; college tuition and 9 more
  • Hospital bills$3.05 billion
  • College tuition$2.70 billion
  • University housing and dining$968 million
  • Other service charges$591 million
  • Tolls on roads and bridges$359 million
  • Parks, land and natural resources$195 million
  • Housing$72.0 million
  • Other education charges$47.7 million
  • Road charges$45.5 million
  • Electric power$5.3 million
  • Parks and recreation$5.0 million

Amounts are by Census type of charge.

Federal tax money30%

Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.

From the federal government
30%$22.3 billion

Local tax money0.7%

Money passed on by the county or other local governments.

From local governments
0.7%$527 million

Fines and other7.7%

Interest, rents and other
7.4%$5.46 billion
Fines
0.3%$203 million
Washington page →

Where the money goes

Sent to local governments29%Social services25%Schools and colleges15%Health and hospitals14%Roads, transit and parking5.0%All other spending12%

What stands out

14%

of Washington's spending goes to health services and hospitals.A typical state government spends 5.7%.

Full Washington breakdown

Spending by category100%

Sent to local governments
29%$23.6 billion
What's in sent to local governmentsSent to school districts; sent to local governments: other and not broken out and 19 more
  • Sent to school districts$17.3 billion
  • Sent to local governments: other and not broken out$2.33 billion
  • Sent to local governments: public health$1.48 billion
  • Sent to local governments: roads and highways$794 million
  • Sent to local governments: other government administration$331 million
  • Sent to local governments: parks and recreation$241 million
  • Sent to local governments: natural resources, farming and conservation$193 million
  • Sent to local governments: police$185 million
  • Sent to local governments: general support$180 million
  • Sent to local governments: finance, tax collection and budgeting$169 million
  • Sent to local governments: other public welfare$139 million
  • Sent to local governments: other education$49.4 million
  • Sent to local governments: courts and legal services$49.4 million
  • Sent to local governments: housing and community development$30.3 million
  • Sent to local governments: inspections and regulation$22.2 million
  • Sent to local governments: sewer systems$19.9 million
  • Sent to local governments: garbage and solid waste$16.7 million
  • Sent to local governments: central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$5.0 million
  • Sent to local governments: airports$4.9 million
  • Sent to local governments: libraries$197 thousand
  • Sent to local governments: hospitals$1 thousand
Social services
25%$20.0 billion
What's in social servicesOther public welfare; unemployment and social insurance offices and 2 more
  • Other public welfare$19.5 billion
  • Unemployment and social insurance offices$308 million
  • Welfare institutions$96.7 million
  • Veterans' services$45.8 million
Schools and colleges
15%$11.9 billion
What's in schools and collegesColleges and universities; other education and 2 more
  • Colleges and universities$7.95 billion
  • Other education$1.50 billion
  • Scholarships and other education subsidies$1.50 billion
  • College housing, dining and bookstores$954 million
Health and hospitals
14%$11.1 billion
What's in health and hospitalsHospitals and public health
  • Hospitals$6.73 billion
  • Public health$4.39 billion
Roads, transit and parking
5.0%$4.00 billion
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways; toll roads and bridges and 2 more
  • Roads and highways$3.12 billion
  • Toll roads and bridges$834 million
  • Public transit$45.8 million
  • Airports$2.7 million
Running the government and other costs
4.8%$3.84 billion
What's in running the government and other costsOther and not broken out; finance, tax collection and budgeting and 3 more
  • Other and not broken out$2.17 billion
  • Finance, tax collection and budgeting$932 million
  • Other government administration$382 million
  • Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$206 million
  • Government buildings$150 million
Police, fire, courts and jails
4.0%$3.25 billion
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPrisons and jails; courts and legal services and 3 more
  • Prisons and jails$1.29 billion
  • Courts and legal services$584 million
  • Inspections and regulation$568 million
  • Police$475 million
  • Probation, parole and other corrections$335 million
Interest on debt
1.5%$1.20 billion
Environment and natural resources
1.5%$1.20 billion
What's in environment and natural resourcesNatural resources, farming and conservation
  • Natural resources, farming and conservation$1.20 billion
Parks, recreation and libraries
0.3%$249 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation and libraries
  • Parks and recreation$239 million
  • Libraries$10.7 million
Water, sewer, trash and utilities
<0.1%$32.2 million
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesGarbage and solid waste; electric power and 1 more
  • Garbage and solid waste$24.3 million
  • Electric power$7.9 million
  • Water supply$9 thousand
Housing and community development
<0.1%$27.7 million
Washington page →
Sources and moreEach government's source, fiscal year and how a ZIP is matched

State of Washington. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.

Whatcom County. Washington State Auditor's Office, Financial Intelligence Tool, fiscal year 2025, fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. The earlier Census figures are from U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

Blaine School District 503. Washington State Auditor's Office, Financial Intelligence Tool, fiscal year 2025, fiscal year ended August 31, 2025. The earlier Census figures are from U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended August 31, 2023.

Ferndale School District 502. Washington State Auditor's Office, Financial Intelligence Tool, fiscal year 2025, fiscal year ended August 31, 2025. The earlier Census figures are from U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended August 31, 2023.

City of Blaine. Washington State Auditor's Office, Financial Intelligence Tool, fiscal year 2025, fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. The earlier Census figures are from U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments, Finance, individual unit file, fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

Lynden School District 504. Washington State Auditor's Office, Financial Intelligence Tool, fiscal year 2025, fiscal year ended August 31, 2025. The earlier Census figures are from U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended August 31, 2023.

How these figures are counted. Revenue and spending are the Schedule 01 figures that a Washington government filed, as the Washington State Auditor's Office publishes them in its Financial Intelligence Tool, grouped into the same categories as the Census figures. School district figures are the school financial reports the districts file with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, which the Auditor's Office maps to the same account structure. The report covers the government's general, special revenue, debt service, capital projects, permanent and enterprise funds (utilities, ports, airports and the like). Borrowing, transfers between a government's own funds, internal service funds, depreciation and other non-cash entries, and money held for others are not counted. The figures are the governments' own filings; this site does not audit them.

Debt payments. Washington's report lists the debt a government repaid and the interest it paid, so the "Debt payments" line includes principal as well as interest. The Census figures leave principal out, so spending can be higher than the Census figure for the same government.

Employee benefits are not a separate line here: Washington's report sorts spending by the service it pays for, so salaries and benefits sit inside each service. Construction and equipment costs are counted under the service they paid for. School district spending is shown as schools and colleges. Pension contributions are paid through the state retirement systems and stay inside each service.

Federal and state money. Grants are grouped by the source the report names: direct federal awards and federal money passed through the State count as federal money; state grants and the State's shared revenues count as state money. The Census may file federal money that arrives through the state under state aid, so the federal and state shares on the two versions can differ. A school district's per-student funding from the State is state money. Cities, towns and counties report the calendar year; school districts report the school year that ends August 31.

Cash basis. Blaine reports cash received and paid, so a year with a big construction project or loan repayment can show more spending than revenue.

How a ZIP is matched. A ZIP code is not a government boundary, so we match it to the cities, counties and school districts that overlap it, using Census Bureau geography. Where a ZIP crosses several, each one is shown with its share of the ZIP. Each government's money covers its own operations only; the others listed here are separate.

Latest recorded year. The year differs by government: each block shows the newest fiscal year on file. A Census survey year covers fiscal years ending July 1 of the year before through June 30 of that year.