The east end of the island, often called Jantzen Beach, has highly developed retail areas near the freeway, hotels, offices, manufactured home communities, and condominium complexes.

Until the Interstate Bridge opened in 1917, ferries provided service between Portland and Vancouver from landings on the island's north shore.

The west side of the island (in unincorporated Multnomah County) is as yet undeveloped, though it was added to the urban growth boundary by voters in 1983.

But the Port of Portland renewed efforts to annex West Hayden Island in 2008 and Portland City Council voted on July 29, 2010, to go forward with an analysis of annexation that would allow 300 acres (1.2 km2) for an undetermined port facility and preserve the remaining 500 acres (2.0 km2) as a protected natural area.

He built a grand home and lived on the island for five years with his wife Mary Jane Hayden and twin children.

[8] The city of Portland commissioned ECONorthwest to measure the net economic benefits and impacts of the proposed development.