Whatcom County, WA

County

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2022 Population
226,523
0.886% 1-year growth
2022 Median Age
37.8
0% 1-year change
2022 Poverty Rate
12.9%
4.15% 1-year decrease
2022 Median Household Income
$77,581
10.8% 1-year growth
2022 Median Property Value
$475,000
19.8% 1-year growth
2022 Employed Population
111,457
1.26% 1-year growth

About

In 2022, Whatcom County, WA had a population of 227k people with a median age of 37.8 and a median household income of $77,581. Between 2021 and 2022 the population of Whatcom County, WA grew from 224,533 to 226,523, a 0.886% increase and its median household income grew from $70,011 to $77,581, a 10.8% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Whatcom County, WA are White (Non-Hispanic) (76.8%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (5.33%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (4.4%), Other (Hispanic) (3.68%), and White (Hispanic) (3.16%).

None of the households in Whatcom County, WA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

95.3% of the residents in Whatcom County, WA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Whatcom County, WA are Western Washington University (3,831 degrees awarded in 2022), Whatcom Community College (1,193 degrees), and Bellingham Technical College (835 degrees).

In 2022, the median property value in Whatcom County, WA was $475,000, and the homeownership rate was 63%.

Most people in Whatcom County, WA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Whatcom County, WA was 2 cars per household.

Whatcom County, WA borders .

United States

Population & Diversity

Whatcom County, WA is home to a population of 227k people, from which 95.3% are citizens. As of 2022, 9.87% of Whatcom County, WA residents were born outside of the country (22.4k people).

In 2022, there were 14.4 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (174k people) in Whatcom County, WA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 12.1k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) and 9.96k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

95.3%
2022 Citizenship
95.2%
2021 Citizenship

As of 2022, 95.3% of Whatcom County, WA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.5%. In 2021, the percentage of US citizens in Whatcom County, WA was 95.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Whatcom County, WA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Whatcom County, WA
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    174k ± 643
  2. Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
    12.1k ± 862
  3. Asian (Non-Hispanic)
    9.96k ± 521
10.1%
Hispanic Population
23k people

In 2022, there were 14.4 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (174k people) in Whatcom County, WA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 12.1k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) and 9.96k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

10.1% of the people in Whatcom County, WA are hispanic (23k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Whatcom County, WA as a share of the total population.

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Foreign-Born Population

9.87%
2022 Foreign-Born Population
22.4k people
9.67%
2021 Foreign-Born Population
21.7k people

As of 2022, 9.87% of Whatcom County, WA residents (22.4k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2021, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Whatcom County, WA was 9.67%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Whatcom County, WA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Vietnam
    5,190 ± 450
  2. Gulf War (2001-)
    2,580 ± 507
  3. Gulf War (1990s)
    2,011 ± 322

Whatcom County, WA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.01 times greater than any other conflict.

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Economy

The economy of Whatcom County, WA employs 111k people. The largest industries in Whatcom County, WA are Health Care & Social Assistance (14,761 people), Manufacturing (11,858 people), and Educational Services (11,472 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($148,750), Utilities ($88,628), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($79,844).

Employment

Occupations

111k
2022 Value
± 2,909
1.26%
1 Year growth
± 3.7%

From 2021 to 2022, employment in Whatcom County, WA grew at a rate of 1.26%, from 110k employees to 111k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Whatcom County, WA, are Management Occupations (11,866 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (11,865 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (9,202 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Whatcom County, WA.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in the United States (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

111k
2022 Value
± 2,909
1.26%
1 Year growth
± 3.7%

From 2021 to 2022, employment in Whatcom County, WA grew at a rate of 1.26%, from 110k employees to 111k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Whatcom County, WA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (14,761 people), Manufacturing (11,858 people), and Educational Services (11,472 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Whatcom County, WA, though some of these residents may live in Whatcom County, WA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$55,284
Median earning men ± $2,902
$35,398
Median earning women ± $1,209

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2022 are Public Administration ($84,218), Information ($74,858), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($70,247).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2022 are Public Administration ($57,476), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($52,179), and Construction ($51,994).

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments
  1. 2,582
    Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
  2. 1,474
    Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
  3. 1,456
    Manufacturing

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

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Civics

are the senators currently representing the state of the United States. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming is currently represented by 435 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Senator Elections

US Senators from the United States

Senator from N/AN/A
  1. N/AN/A
    N/A
  2. N/AN/A
    N/A

are the senators currently representing the United States.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in the United States over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming is currently represented by 435 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming have changed over time starting in 2008.

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Education

In 2022, universities in Whatcom County, WA awarded 5,979 degrees. The student population of Whatcom County, WA in 2022 is skewed towards women, with 8,690 male students and 11,672 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Whatcom County, WA are White (3,974 and 67.3%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (658 and 11.1%), Two or More Races (464 and 7.86%), and Asian (372 and 6.3%).

The largest universities in Whatcom County, WA by number of degrees awarded are Western Washington University (3,831 and 64.1%), Whatcom Community College (1,193 and 20%), and Bellingham Technical College (835 and 14%).

The most popular majors in Whatcom County, WA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (490 and 8.2%), General Psychology (220 and 3.68%), and General Business Administration & Management (180 and 3.01%).

The median tuition cost in Whatcom County, WA for a public four year colleges is $3,546 for in-state students and $6,334 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University
Measure

In 2022 in Whatcom County, WA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 92.7%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 29.3%. The number of students enrolled in 2022 was 20,362 (42.7% men and 57.3% women).

The line chart  shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

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Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2022 there were 20,362 students enrolled in Whatcom County, WA, 42.7% men and 57.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 13,044 records, of which 56.8% were women and 43.2% men.

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Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. General Psychology
    220 degrees awarded
  2. General Computer & Information Sciences
    151 degrees awarded
  3. Creative Writing
    136 degrees awarded

In 2022, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Whatcom County, WA was General Psychology with 220 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Whatcom County, WA according to their major.

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Universities

Gender
Race
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
  1. Western Washington University
    3,831 degrees awarded
  2. Whatcom Community College
    1,193 degrees awarded
  3. Bellingham Technical College
    835 degrees awarded

In 2022, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Western Washington University with 3,831 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

University

In 2022, 2,530 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Whatcom County, WA, which is 0.734 times less than the 3,449 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2022 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 3,974 degrees mean that there were 6.04 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 658 degrees awarded.

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Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($3,546) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2022.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,100) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2022.

Public, 4-year or above ($977) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.
Measure

In 2022, 0.975% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.954% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

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Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.
Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2022 were High School or Equivalent (1.41M), Some college (1.4M), and Bachelors Degree (1.33M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Whatcom County, WA was $475,000 in 2022, which is 1.68 times larger than the national average of $281,900. Between 2021 and 2022 the median property value increased from $396,500 to $475,000, a 19.8% increase. The homeownership rate in Whatcom County, WA is 63%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.8%.

People in Whatcom County, WA have an average commute time of 21.9 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Whatcom County, WA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Whatcom County, WA is $77,581. In 2022, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Whatcom County, WA was Census Tract 106 with a value of $120,104, followed by Census Tract 9.02 and Census Tract 103.03, with respective values of $117,667 and $103,323.

In 2023, 19.1% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Whatcom County, WA. From 2014 to 2023, the indicator declined 1.18%.

Housing

Property

$475,000
Median Property Value 2022
±$7,046
$57,442
Median Property Taxes
±$1,797

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Whatcom County, WA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Whatcom County, WA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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Rent vs Own

63%
Homeownership
2022
69%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2022

In 2022, 63% of the housing units in Whatcom County, WA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 62.4%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Whatcom County, WA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.
Race/Ethnicity
Highest Median Household Income (Total)
  1. Census Tract 106
  2. Census Tract 9.02
  3. Census Tract 103.03

In 2022, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Whatcom County, WA was Census Tract 106 with a value of $120,104, followed by Census Tract 9.02 and Census Tract 103.03, with respective values of $117,667 and $103,323.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Whatcom County, WA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

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Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$77,581
Median Household Income
± $2,536
91.2k
Number of Households
± 2,523

In 2022, the median household income of the 91.2k households in Whatcom County, WA grew to $77,581 from the previous year's value of $70,011.

The following chart displays the households in Whatcom County, WA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Whatcom County, WA is from Whatcom County, WA.
N/A Wage GINI in N/A
  1. N/A
  2. N/A

In N/A, the income inequality in N/A was N/A according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a N/A N/A from N/A to N/A, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat N/A even. The GINI for N/A was N/A than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed N/A evenly in N/A in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Whatcom County, WA across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2022
  1. Drove Alone (72%)
  2. Worked At Home (11.3%)
  3. Carpooled (8.19%)

In 2022, 72% of workers in Whatcom County, WA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (11.3%) and those who carpooled to work (8.19%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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Commute Time

21.9 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Whatcom County, WA have a shorter commute time (21.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.7 minutes). Additionally, 2.37% of the workforce in Whatcom County, WA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Whatcom County, WA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Car Ownership

2 cars
Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Whatcom County, WA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Whatcom County, WA have 2 cars.

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Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2023, 19.1% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Whatcom County, WA. From 2014 to 2023, the indicator declined 1.18%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

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Poverty & Diversity

12.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Whatcom County, WA (28.5k out of 221k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Whatcom County, WA is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Children in Poverty

In 2023, 15.3% of the children was living in poverty in Whatcom County, WA. From 2014 to 2023, the indicator declined 3.4%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

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Health

94.1% of the population of Whatcom County, WA has health coverage, with 48% on employee plans, 17.5% on Medicaid, 13.5% on Medicare, 13.9% on non-group plans, and 1.27% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Whatcom County, WA see 1138 patients per year on average, which represents a 4.21% increase from the previous year (1092 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1338 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 188 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49% were men and 51% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,138 to 1
Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Whatcom County, WA

Primary care physicians in Whatcom County, WA see an average of 1,138 patients per year. This represents a 4.21% increase from the previous year (1,092 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Whatcom County, WA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

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Health Care Diversity

In 2022, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 20.7% under 18 years, 25.7% between 18 and 34 years, 35.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 17.9% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49% were men and 51% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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Uninsured People

5.93%
Uninsured
48%
Employer Coverage
17.5%
Medicaid
13.5%
Medicare
13.9%
Non-Group
1.27%
Military or VA

Between 2021 and 2022, the percent of uninsured citizens in Whatcom County, WA grew by 5.24% from 5.64% to 5.93%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Whatcom County, WA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2023, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 32 in Whatcom County, WA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Whatcom County, WA.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2023, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 28.4% in Whatcom County, WA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Whatcom County, WA.

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Clinical Care

Indicator

In 2023, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 8.68% in Whatcom County, WA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Whatcom County, WA.

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