The area has been inhabited since at least the 10th century and possibly for a longer period, however there is no firm evidence because of variations in the course of the Daugava River and the shifting of sand dunes.

Bolderāja was a district consisting mostly of private houses and low rise buildings, but after the 1970s five to nine floor blocks of flats were built by the Soviet government.

From time immemorial the inhabitants of the area around the mouth of the Daugava river were renowned for being hard-working and courageous.

North of the district is Mīlestības saliņa ("Love Island") the name of which originates from the previous existence of military bases and as a result many children were conceived in this area.

[citation needed] East of the district is Krievu sala ("Russian Island"), which is actually a peninsula.