October 2021
IN THIS
ISSUE
www.AllPointBulletin.com
Blaine schools struggle with Covid cases, page 6
Census shows big drop in Point Roberts population
Peace Arch celebrates its 100th birthday, page 10
ECRWSS PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 14
FREE
Get your spook on, Point Roberts, page 11
Point Roberts, WA 98281 Postal Patron Local
Cinderella, your carriage awaits...
By Meg Olson Results from the 2020 census show there are fewer people living in Point Roberts and residents overall are older and make less money than the rest of Whatcom County. The population of Point Roberts dropped by 9.4 percent in the last 10 years, decreasing 123 individuals to 1,191 people. The 2010 census put the population of the Point at 1,314, a decrease of 2 from the 2000 census number of 1,316. The population is less diverse than the county, with 1,031 respondents, or 86.5 percent, identifying as white. According to the results of the American Community Survey 5-year estimates, the median age in Point Roberts is 58 years old, compared to 40 years old for the rest of Whatcom County. A third of Point Roberts residents are over 65, while less thanone percent are under 5 years old. The median household income in Point Roberts in 2020 was $43,510 compared to $69,372 in Whatcom County. However, there is a wide income gap between families and married couples on the Point, with a median income of $90,000, and non-family households with a median income of $31,250. Fifteen percent of Point Roberts resident over 65 live in poverty by federal standards, and 24 percent of children under 18. Ten percent have no health care coverage. The employment rate at 53 percent is similar to the employment rate in the county at 58 percent. The employment rate on the Point has declined consistently for the last five years. There are 2,175 housing units in Point Roberts but only 630 are occupied full time. Forty percent of Point Roberts residents were not born in the United States, compared with 9 percent in Whatcom County. Of those, 52 percent are naturalized U.S. citizens and 48 are not U.S. citizens. The census is mandated by the constitution and occurs every 10 years. Between censuses the Census Bureau issues estimates made using surveys and statistical models, such as the American Community Survey.
All Point Bulletin
e PB
WEEKLY NEWS BULLETIN
s Ted Alexander shows off a massive pumpkin he’s grown in his Bayview Drive patch. He estimates it currrently weighs approximately Photo by Louise Mugar 200 pounds.
County prepares to issue emergency aid to Point B y P a t G r u bb In a unanimous vote, Whatcom County Council has approved allocating up to $250,000 in emergency funding for Point Roberts. Council acted at a September 14 council committee meeting following a request for the funds by county executive Satpal Sidhu who told council, “With the cessation of federal unemployment benefits, we have received unsettling news from Point Roberts. “When we gave that assistance to the grocery store, we were hoping the border would open on August 21 or September 21. Now it seems like the border won’t open for a few months now,” Sidhu noted, referring to $100,000 in state aid along with another $25,000 in county assistance.
Join Our Mailing List!
“They are in trouble.” Sidhu also highlighted the needs of the various mailing houses, saying that online sales are a significant economic driver in Point Roberts and that the mailing houses would be in “big trouble” if their employees moved away. The executive told council that his office had started conversations with the governor’s office and met with state representatives Alicia Rule and Sharon Shewmake. “My staff is working with the governor’s office to explore what options we can offer Point Roberts to help the employers and the employees,” Sidhu said. “Today, I would like to ask council for a motion to allocate $250,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act to meet the needs of Point (See Emergency, page 2)
Online
allpointbulletin.com facebook.com/allpointbulletin
SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS!
Get the latest POINT ROBERTS news every week sent directly to your inbox! SIGN UP AT www.allpointbulletin.com/newsletter
Inside
Church ............................................. 13 Classifieds ......................................... 12 Coming Up ....................................... 12 Obituary ........................................... 14 Opinion ............................................... 4 Sheriffs ............................................. 14 The Point is Cooking ....................... 11 Tides ................................................. 14