An analysis by the Portland Business Journal found that the metropolitan area’s population grew by just 0.1% between 2020 and 2021. That’s significantly less than in previous years.
PORTLAND, Ore. — New data confirms what some Portlanders already know: The Pink City doesn’t seem to have the kind of pull it once did, with fewer people moving in, just as many people moving out.
KGW’s news partner, the Portland Business Journal, found that the Portland metro area’s population grew by just 0.1% between 2020 and 2021, far less than in previous years. When it comes to Multnomah County, there has been a net loss of people, especially high income earners.
Log analysis of IRS data showed that most people who left Multnomah County between 2019 and 2020 went to Clackamas County, followed by Washington County, and third, to across the Columbia River to Clark County. Many high-income residents moved to Deschutes County. The numbers also show that many people left Multnomah County for California, Arizona and Texas.
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Meanwhile, Multnomah County lost nearly 2,000 filers. Those who left tended to make much more money than newcomers.
Despite the data, not everyone is leaving or planning to move. KGW spoke with a few Multnomah County residents who plan to stay but understand why some might choose to leave and go elsewhere.
“I’m not really surprised. It has become very expensive to live here,” said Paul Faber. “And then, of course, all the break-ins and robberies. People have had them.”
“Things have obviously changed,” Nicole Koffler said. “It had a very big impact on what we love about Oregon, or more specifically, Portland.”
Katie Spurlock, a real estate agent with 20 years’ experience, weighed in on what she’s seen over the past two years.
“Over the past few years we’ve seen a huge exodus out of Multnomah County and even an out-of-state exodus,” Spurlock said. “Our numbers continue to grow, but at a much slower rate than [what] we were definitely living in the mid, early 2000s.”
She attributed this to several things, including families reassessing their priorities and space during the pandemic, high taxes, waste and crime.
“I was so proud of Portland,” Spurlock said. “It’s like the sleepy town we grew up in suddenly comes to life and has really made a name for itself. And yes, it’s a bit embarrassing as it is right now, but it It has to come back. It has to.”
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