The city of Island City, Oregon, is home to a diverse population. While the majority of residents are white, more than one in five are black or African American. The city is home to people of Irish descent, Germans, and Russians. Other ethnicities represented include Asians and Native Hawaiians. The city also has a large Hispanic and Latino population.
The island was originally inhabited by the Siwanoy Lenape people, but Europeans began to settle in the area as part of Thomas Pell's estate in 1654. Several other pioneers settled on the island, including shipbuilders and oystermen.
The city is a beautiful location in Union County, Oregon. The Grande Ronde River flows through the town, and its location on an island between the river and a nearby slough is a picturesque place to visit. There are also two major highways that pass through the city.
Most residents commute to work via ferry. However, there are also quite a few people who walk or drive alone to work. A majority of the people live within a ten-minute walk or ride the ferry to get to work. This is a great convenience for island residents, who can easily get to work without having to worry about parking or traffic.
The city's population growth has led to many economic gains in recent years. In 2010, employment and median income increased by a significant amount. The number of businesses in the city has also increased. However, some neighborhoods remain well behind. Their child and household poverty rates were higher than the citywide average.