Point Roberts, Washington
Point Roberts, Washington | |
|---|---|
Point Roberts cannery c. 1918 | |
| Nicknames: The Point, Point Bob | |
Interactive location map of Point Roberts | |
| Coordinates: 48°59′11″N 123°03′25″W / 48.98639°N 123.05694°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Whatcom |
| Established | June 15, 1846 |
| Area | |
• Total | 4.884 sq mi (12.65 km2) |
| Elevation | 121 ft (37 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 1,191 |
• Estimate (2022) | 1,249 |
| • Density | 240/sq mi (94/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−08:00 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−07:00 (PDT) |
| ZIP Code | 98281 |
| Area code | 360 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2586745 |
| Website | Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce |
Point Roberts is a pene-exclave of the US state of Washington on the southernmost tip of the Tsawwassen peninsula, south of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The area, which had a population of 1,191 at the 2020 census, is reached from the rest of the United States by traveling 25 mi (40 km) through Canada, or without passing through Canada by boat or private airplane. It is a census-designated place in Whatcom County, Washington, with a post office, and a ZIP Code of 98281. 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. 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.