Discover Rockwood
The Rockwood Identity Atlas is 100-page report. It is a compilation of maps, data, and stories about the community of Rockwood. This data and these stories strive to make the identity, geography, and living conditions of the Rockwood community more visible to the public, agencies, and nonprofits.
History
Beginning in the 1970s, Portland and Gresham began annexing parts of east Multnomah County. Today, these areas lack the same level of infrastructure and services as the urban cores.
Demographics
The demographic diversity of Multnomah County is not evenly distributed. Communities of color are more concentrated in places like Rockwood.
Families
The proportion of households who are headed by single mothers in Rockwood is greater than other areas in Multnomah County and Oregon statewide. Rockwood also has a higher proportion of youth than other areas of Multnomah County and Oregon statewide.
Jobs
The median household income in Rockwood is 30% less than the median household income in Oregon statewide. Between 2012-2019, the median household income in Rockwood rose 14.4%. However, in just seven years, the income gap has more than doubled.
Housing
Rockwood has a higher proportion of renters when compared to other areas of Multnomah County and Oregon. The median household in Rockwood spends 42.3% of their income on rent.
Community
What’s missing in Rockwood? A public space for family-oriented activities where people can gather with friends and family, parks specifically for family activities, a community center for youth and adults, affordable recreational activities and classes, daycare centers and affordable grocery stores.
Health
People in Rockwood experience a higher prevalence of disability than those in both West and East County and in comparison to Oregon statewide. Access to food in Rockwood is limited, forcing residents to make longer trips to provide food for their households.
A resource for those serving Rockwood.
The Rockwood Identity Atlas is a compilation of maps, data, and stories that strive to make the identity, geography, and living conditions of the Rockwood community more visible to public agencies and nonprofits that would serve them.
Rockwood is a community in East Multnomah County — outside Portland, Oregon.
When you mention the neighborhood to others in the Portland Metro area, you will be met with a variety of strong opinions. Yet few people know the true story of the community. The Rockwood that exists today is the result of the gentrification that has taken place over the past 25 years.
This study gives a deep look into the history, challenges, make-up, struggles, and opportunities in the Rockwood community.
The challenges facing Rockwood are a direct result of the community being marginalized and oppressed.
If Multnomah County were a state, the city's west side would be one of the richest in the U.S., and the east side would be one of the poorest.
The gap is getting worse.
