Gresham is a city located in Multnomah County, Oregon, United States. As of the 2020 census, Gresham had a population of 111,813 residents, making it the fourth-largest city in Oregon.
Population
Gresham has grown rapidly in population over the past few decades. In 1970, the city had a population of just over 13,000 residents. By 1980, the population had grown to 33,005. In 1990, Gresham’s population was 68,249 and then jumped to 90,205 in 2000. The most recent census in 2020 counted 111,813 residents.
This population boom can be attributed to Gresham’s close proximity to Portland as well as its affordable housing. The city provides easy access to Portland’s job market while maintaining a small town feel and lower cost of living compared to Portland.
Economy and Major Employers
Historically, Gresham’s economy was fueled by agriculture and farming. However, as the city grew, its economy diversified into manufacturing, high-tech industries, retail, and service sectors. Some of the major employers in Gresham today include:
- Oregon Department of Corrections – provides jobs related to the state prison system
- City of Gresham – provides local government jobs serving the city
- Gresham-Barlow School District – operates public schools in the region
- Arredondo Foods – produces handcrafted tortillas
- Smith Frozen Foods – processes and manufactures frozen vegetables
Other major industries include technology, healthcare, retail, education, and manufacturing. According to census data, the sectors employing the most Gresham residents are education, health care, manufacturing, retail trade, and construction.
Attractions
Despite being a suburb of Portland, Gresham has several attractions and things to do in its own right:
- Main City Park – A 42-acre community park with sports fields, playgrounds, and walking trails.
- Oregon Military Museum – Covers Oregon’s military history from the 1840s to present day.
- Powell Valley Road – Scenic byway passing farms, nurseries, and wineries.
- Nantucket Shores – Large indoor water park.
- First Friday in Rockwood – Community event held monthly in the Rockwood neighborhood.
- Gresham Butte Scarp – Natural area with hiking and mountain biking trails.
Gresham also has a lively arts scene, including theater and live music performances at venues such as Gresham Arts Plaza and The Barn Community Theater.
Local Sports
Gresham doesn’t have any major professional sports teams, but there are a few local teams representing high schools and colleges in the area:
- Gresham High School – The Gophers compete in various sports at the high school level including football, basketball, soccer, and more.
- Mt. Hood Community College – Fields teams in a variety of sports including volleyball, basketball, baseball, and softball.
Many Gresham residents are Portland Trailblazers fans and support the city’s NBA team located just miles away.
Gresham also has opportunities for outdoor recreation through city parks as well as private entities like the Club Greenwood sports complex and Echo Hills Golf Course.
Gresham History
Gresham was named after the American Civil War general and United States Postmaster General Walter Quinton Gresham (1832-1895). It was founded in the mid-1800s and incorporated as a city in 1905. Gresham played an important role in the Oregon Trail, with thousands of settlers passing through on their way to the Willamette Valley in the 1840s-1860s.
The city’s early economy was fueled by agriculture, dairy farming, and timber. Gresham was connected to Portland by a railway in 1903, helping it grow as a suburb. Since the 1970s, Gresham has transformed from a small farming town to a large suburban city.
Historic sites in Gresham include the Zimmerman House, the oldest house in Gresham dating back to 1871, as well as the Barnes House, built in 1883 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.