PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland's population decline seems to be slowing, new census data shows; a sign that the great exodus of residents from the city, once known as a beacon for newcomers, could be petering out.
Between July 2022 and July 2023, the city lost nearly 4,200 people — about half the loss of the year prior, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released recently. It represents about a 0.7% decrease in total population, down to 630,500 residents.
Since April 2020, Portland's population has declined by approximately 22,000 people. Some of it can be credited to Portland's relatively high cost of living — particularly for housing and taxes — and upticks in crime, vandalism and graffiti.
All counties in the Portland metro area saw a population drop from July 2022 to July '23, with the exception of Clackamas County which remained steady. Washington County's population decreased by 1,200 people — the second most in the state. Multnomah County's overall loss was around 4,860 people.
The great migration over the river to Clark County was also well documented in the census data. Between 2022 and 2023, the region grew by around 4,400 people. Since April 2020, Clark County's total population has increased by nearly 17,850 people.
The cities in Oregon with the largest growth include Woodburn, Bend and Happy Valley, which grew by nearly 2,000 people. But the fastest-growing city in the state is Boardman, located in northeastern Oregon. Boardman sits on the Columbia River and saw population growth of around 7%, or approximately 310 people.
The city with the most growth since the pandemic in Oregon has been Estacada. Between April 2020 and July 2023, the city's population has grown 19%, from roughly 4,400 people to now over 5,420 residents.
The city with the biggest proportional loss in Oregon was Lexington in eastern Oregon. The population in Lexington dropped 4.7% from July 2022 to July 2023, which is about 11 people in a town of 226 residents.
Overall, Oregon's population declined 6,000 people, suggesting more of a migration of people within the state versus a vast exodus.
