Western Washington University (also called WWU or Western) opened it's doors in 1893 and has since grown into a university approaching 13,000 students. WWU is proud of it's unique environmental and economic research programs, it's award-winning experimental vehicle design, it's highly regarded manufacturing, plastics, and electrical engineering technology programs as well as it's teaching and liberal arts programs.

Everyone in Bellingham enjoys access to Western's facilities and open space, including its acclaimed outdoor sculpture as well as popular offerings in theater, music and sports. WWU gives Bellingham the CollegeTown atmosphere and cultural enrichment it brings to the city.The Western Washington University Neighborhood contains open space, which is easily accessible to students, staff and visitors.

The 180 acre Sehome Hill Arboretum provides areas for academic study, trails for commuting and recreation as well as a major green/open space which serves the broader community. Active recreational and educational open spaces include numerous sports playfields, experimental gardens and environmental study areas. General open spaces include buffers and wooded hillsides throughout campus which are valuable for their informal/natural qualities, their buffering characteristics, and as green backdrops.WWU is one of Whatcom County’s largest employers, with nearly 1,500 workers.There are no privately owned homes in the neighborhood but there are dorms that house about 4,000 students.