Point Roberts, Washington

Point Roberts, Washington
Point Roberts
Point Roberts cannery c. 1918
Point Roberts cannery c. 1918
Nickname(s): 
The Point, Point Bob
Point Roberts is located in Washington (state)
Point Roberts
Point Roberts
Location within Washington
Point Roberts is located in the United States
Point Roberts
Point Roberts
Location within the United States
Point Roberts is located in North America
Point Roberts
Point Roberts
Location within North America
Coordinates: 48°59′05″N 123°04′05″W / 48.98472°N 123.06806°W / 48.98472; -123.06806
CountryUnited States
StateWashington
CountyWhatcom
EstablishedJune 15, 1846
Area
 • Total4.884 sq mi (12.65 km2)
Elevation
0 ft (0 m)
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total1,191
 • Estimate 
(2022)
1,249
 • Density244/sq mi (94/km2)
Time zoneUTC−08:00 (PST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−07:00 (PDT)
ZIP Code
98281
Area code360
WebsitePoint Roberts website
Map

Point Roberts is a pene-exclave of Washington on the southernmost tip of the Tsawwassen peninsula, south of Vancouver, British Columbia. The area, which had a population of 1,191 at the 2020 census,[1] is reached from the rest of the United States by traveling 25 mi (40 km) through Canada, or by boat or private airplane.[2] It is a census-designated place in Whatcom County, Washington, with a post office, and a ZIP Code of 98281.[3] Direct sea and air connections with the rest of the U.S. are available across Boundary Bay.

Point Roberts was created when the United Kingdom and the United States settled the Pacific Northwest American-Canadian border dispute in the mid-19th century with the Oregon Treaty.[2] The two parties agreed that the 49th parallel would define the boundary between their respective territories, and the small area that incorporates Point Roberts is south of the 49th parallel. Questions about ceding the territory to the United Kingdom and later to Canada have been raised since its creation; however, its status has remained unchanged.

  1. ^ a b "2020 U.S. Census Results - Point Roberts CDP, Washington". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Bleiberg, Larry (December 2, 2019). "A US town only reached through Canada". BBC Travel. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  3. ^ "Zip Code Lookup". Archived from the original on June 15, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2008.