Custer, Washington
Census-designated place in the United States in Whatcom County · Not an incorporated municipality
About Custer
Custer is a census-designated place (CDP) in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. The population was 518 at the 2020 census, up from 366 at the 2010 census.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How Custer is governed
Custer appears to be an unincorporated community or a census-designated place, so it may have no city government of its own — services usually come from Whatcom County and its elected officials. The chart below is a generic template; readers can correct it if Custer does have local officials.
Form of government not yet listed.
0 of 14 positions listed. Gray dashed boxes are placeholders waiting for a name.
Residents of Custer
Registered voters elect the officials below.
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Mayor
Executive
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The city's chief elected official. Presides over the executive branch, proposes the budget and represents the city.
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City Manager / Administrator
Executive
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The professional administrator who runs day-to-day operations (in some cities appointed by the council instead of the mayor).
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Police Chief
Administration & departments
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Leads the police department.
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Fire Chief
Administration & departments
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Leads the fire and emergency services department.
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Public Works Director
Administration & departments
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Streets, water, sewer, and city buildings.
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Finance Director
Administration & departments
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The budget, taxes, and city accounts.
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Planning & Zoning Director
Administration & departments
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Land use, zoning, building permits.
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Parks & Recreation Director
Administration & departments
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Parks, programs, and public facilities.
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City Council
Legislative
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The elected body that passes ordinances, sets the tax rate and approves the budget.
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City Clerk
Administration & departments
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Keeps the official records, runs meeting agendas and, often, local elections.
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City Attorney
Administration & departments
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The city's lawyer; advises officials and prosecutes ordinance violations.
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Boards & Commissions
Legislative
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Citizen advisory bodies, such as planning, zoning appeals and library boards.
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Municipal Court
Judicial
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Hears traffic, ordinance and other minor cases.
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Municipal Judge
Judicial
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Presides over the municipal court.
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Looking for your county, state and federal representatives too? See who represents 98240 or everyone in Washington.
Population over time
From 299 in 2000 to 518 in 2020 (+73.2%).
Show the numbers
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 518 |
| 2010 | 366 |
| 2000 | 299 |
History
Custer was named in 1886 after Albert W. Custer, an early settler and the first storekeeper and postmaster of the town. Originally the town was located at the intersection of the current Valley View and Bay Roads. In 1890-1892 the town moved to the current location with the coming of the railroad.
In December 2020, a train derailment led to the spill of approximately 30,000 gallons of oil. Most of the oil burned or evaporated, but possibly up to 8,000 gallons of a type of crude oil could not be recovered. Within weeks, air quality was considered normal and soil mitigation was completed, but the testing of groundwater and ongoing cleanup has been determined to take several years.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.