Boise, Portland, Oregon

Boise
Neighborhood
Historic Mississippi business district street sign topper in the Boise Neighborhood
Historic Mississippi business district street sign topper in the Boise Neighborhood
Interactive map of Boise
Coordinates: 45°33′03″N 122°40′16″W / 45.55079°N 122.67122°W / 45.55079; -122.67122
CountryUnited States
StateOregon
CityPortland
Government
 • AssociationBoise Neighborhood Association
 • CoalitionNortheast Coalition of Neighborhoods
Area
 • Total
0.43 sq mi (1.1 km2)
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total
4,660
 • Density10,837/sq mi (4,184/km2)
Housing
 • No. of households2312
 • Occupancy rate88.3% occupied
 • Owner-occupied525 households (45%)
 • Renting643 households (55%)
 • Avg. household size2.0 persons

Boise (/bɔɪz/ BOYZ) is a neighborhood in the North and Northeast sections of Portland, Oregon. It is officially bounded by Interstate 5 on the west, N Skidmore St. on the north, NE Rodney Ave. on the east, and N Kerby St. and NE Fremont St. on the south.[2] The southern portion of N Mississippi Ave. forms the commercial core of the area. The neighborhood was named in honor of Reuben P. Boise, a Portland School Board member during the 1850s.[3]

In the mid-20th century, Boise residents included a high percentage of African Americans, relative to other Portland neighborhoods. This changed rapidly in the 2000s. The 2000 Census recorded 48% of the population identifying as Black or African American, either alone or mixed with another race. By the time of the 2010 Census, this number had fallen to 26.6%, largely supplanted by Whites.[4] This demographic change has accompanied rapid development and gentrification in the neighborhood.[5]

Unthank Park is located in Boise.

Demographics

In 2020, 4,660 people lived in Boise, up 41% from 3,311 in 2010, up 6% from 3,119 in 2000. 68% of people identified as white, 13.9% as Black or African American, 6.4% as Asian, 3.3% as American Indian or Alaska Native, 0.7% as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and 8.4% as some other race. 11.2% identified as Hispanic or Latino (any race). The median age in Boise was 33.6. The median household income was listed at $91,000 and 21% of the neighborhood was covered by tree canopy. 67% of residents voted in the 2020 general election.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Boise Neighborhood Profile". Office of Community and Civic Life. City of Portland. 2023.
  2. ↑ "Boise | Portland.gov". www.portland.gov. May 12, 2025. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  3. ↑ Boise-Eliot Community Garden, Portland Parks & Recreation
  4. ↑ "2000 and 2010 Census Profile: Boise". 2010 Census Data for Portland Neighborhoods. City of Portland. p. 3. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
  5. ↑ http://boisevoice.org/reference/articles/A2005_1.htm Boisevoice.org
  • Wikimedia Commons logo Media related to Boise, Portland, Oregon at Wikimedia Commons
  • Boise Neighborhood Association official site
  • Boise Eliot Neighborhood Guide (PortlandNeighborhood.com)
  • Boise Voices Oral History Project (Boise neighborhood oral history project, local youth interview elders from the community)
  • Boise Street Tree Inventory Report