Named and established in 1874 on the site of the Noocksack Indian village Squahalish (Nooksack: Sqwehálich), the town began as a pioneer settlement headed by Holden and Phoebe Judson and is today home to one of the largest CRC Dutch American communities in the nation.
Lynden is approximately five miles south of the U.S.-Canadian border, with Lynden-Aldergrove operation and port of entry hours between 8:00 a.m. and midnight.
The population was 9,020 at the 2000 census. Residents of Lynden are known as "Lyndenites".
Lynden is also home to the Northwest Washington Fair (Lynden Fair)
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,020 people, 3,426 households, and 2,500 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,208.8 people per square mile (853.6/km²). There were 3,592 housing units at an average density of 879.6/sq mi (339.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.07% White, 0.27% African American, 0.45% Native American, 2.26% Asian, 2.51% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.73% of the population.
There were 3,426 households out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.8% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.0% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,767, and the median income for a family was $50,449. Males had a median income of $39,597 versus $23,292 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,639. About 4.1% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.
Lynden is the only city on its side of the world in which the official entrance is between two graveyards. It is also interesting to note that (according to the Dutch that visit) it is more dutch than Holland itself, currently.