Boise ( 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. 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.
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. This demographic change has accompanied rapid development and gentrification in the neighborhood.
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.