Portland is the largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the county seat of Multnomah County. Located in the Willamette Valley region of the Pacific Northwest, Portland has a population of 652,503 as of 2019, making it the 25th most populous city in the United States and the second most populous in the Pacific Northwest after Seattle.
Demographics
The racial and ethnic makeup of Portland has changed significantly over the past few decades. In 2010, Portland’s population was 76.1% White, 6.3% Asian, 6.2% Black or African American, 1.0% Native American, 0.5% Pacific Islander, 4.7% from other races, and 5.1% from two or more races. 9.4% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.
As of the 2010 census, there were 583,776 people and 295,301 households residing in Portland. The population density was 4,375.2 people per square mile. There were 312,678 housing units at an average density of 2,331.8 per square mile.
The age distribution of Portland residents is as follows:
- 21.1% under the age of 18
- 10.7% aged 18 to 24
- 34.1% aged 25 to 44
- 22.1% aged 45 to 64
- 12.0% aged 65 or older
The median age in Portland is 35.9 years. For every 100 females, there are 97.8 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there are 95.9 males.
Economy and Major Employers
The economy of Portland relies on a mix of industries, including technology, healthcare, transportation, and manufacturing. Some of the major private sector employers in Portland include Intel, Nike, Legacy Health System, Providence Health System, and Portland General Electric.
Intel is the largest employer in Oregon, providing jobs for approximately 20,000 people at its campuses in Hillsboro and Aloha. Other major technology companies with a large presence in Portland include Salesforce, Amazon, Google, eBay, and Airbnb.
The Portland metropolitan area has become a hub for athletic and outdoor industries. Nike, Adidas, Columbia Sportswear, Keen, and Hi-Tec Sports all call Portland home. The city is also known as a leader in green business with many companies focused on sustainability locating there.
The largest employers in the public sector and non-profit institutions include Oregon Health and Science University, Portland Public Schools, Providence Health System, the City of Portland, Multnomah County, Portland State University, and Portland Community College.
Portland has one of the largest populations of creatives and makers in the world according to some surveys. That includes software developers, animators, painters, photographers, actors, and writers.
Landmarks
Portland is full of unique and interesting landmarks and attractions. Here are some of the most famous:
- Portland Japanese Garden – One of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan featuring eight garden styles.
- International Rose Test Garden – Home to over 10,000 rose bushes representing 650 different rose varieties.
- Lan Su Chinese Garden – A walled classical Chinese garden filled with plants, stones, pagodas, and ponds.
- Portland Art Museum – Oldest art museum in the Pacific Northwest with important collections of Native American and contemporary art.
- Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) – Interactive science museum specializing in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.
- Pittock Mansion – Historic château-style mansion situated 1,000 feet above downtown Portland in the West Hills.
Sports Teams
Portland is home to two major professional sports teams:
- Portland Trail Blazers – NBA basketball team that plays at the Moda Center.
- Portland Timbers – MLS soccer team that plays at Providence Park.
The Portland Trail Blazers have won one NBA championship in 1977 led by Bill Walton. The Portland Timbers won the MLS Cup in 2015 in just their fifth season in the league.
Portland is also home to several major college sports programs including the University of Portland Pilots, the Portland State Vikings, and the Oregon Ducks located in nearby Eugene.
Facebook Page
You can follow the latest news and events happening in Portland by liking the City of Portland’s Facebook page.
Conclusion
Portland is a vibrant, fast-growing, and unique city in the Pacific Northwest known for its parks, bridges, microbreweries, coffeehouses, makers culture, and stunning natural surroundings. The city has a diverse economy led by the technology and healthcare sectors, an eclectic population attracted by Portland’s quality of life, and a rich arts and culture scene.
To learn more about visiting, living in, or moving to Portland, check out the city’s official website.