After World War II, the area rapidly began developing, with many new commercial centers opening.

In greater Rockwood, around 40% of residents earn less than 200% of the federal poverty level, 20-30% do not have health insurance, and about 70% of children qualify for free or reduced lunch.

[5] Within Multnomah County, greater Rockwood ranks within the ten lowest-income ZIP codes east of the Willamette River.

[3] Over 60% of Rockwood Community Health Center patients are people of color,[5] and 27.51% of the population is foreign-born, of which 48% is citizens.

[8] In April 2010, decades after a 1960s state law required Multnomah County to provide court services in Gresham for residents east of 122nd Avenue, the county's Board of Commissioners approved a resolution that called for the construction of a courthouse in Rockwood by 2012.