Ferndale is located close to Interstate 5, five miles northeast of Bellingham. Taken together, these three facilities employ 1,900 workers who earn some of the county s highest wages. If longstanding plans to develop additional port facilities in this area ever bear fruit, still more jobs could be created. Areas inside and around the city limits have been zoned for future residential development. Property in this area tends to be flat.
Many areas have excellent views of Mount Baker when the weather is clear.
Area school children attend the Ferndale School District. This unincorporated community near Interstate 5 between Blaine and Ferndale is considered a prime area for industry because of its proximity to both the highway and Burlington-Northern rail lines and potential deep water port sites at Cherry Point to the west. Custer retains a small commercial center. It is close to Grandview Golf Course, and the Ferndale School District s Custer Elementary School is conveniently located for area youngsters. Small businesses provide a very limited selection of essentials, but most shopping must be done on the mainland.